737 question

[MkVIII]

OK, been wondering this for years, and it has probably been asked a thousand times before, but....

Why did Boeing's designers / aerodynamicists opt NOT to install gear doors on the 737 (only oleo covers - no wheel / tyre door like most airliners). Did they consider the weight required for the additional hydraulic rams and door weight significant (dependant on other factors)?

Does the lack of gear door, and the fact the tyre is in the airstream create significant parasite drag that would be reduced by use of a fairing / door, or is the drag created more or less equal to the detriment caused by the weight of hydraulics and door weight etc?

Enquiring NON-737 endorsed person needs to know...

[Notso Fantastic]

The main wheels have a large faired hub cap. The side of the tyre is pretty flat. I do not think the drag is significant otherwise everybody would buy Airbuses for their greater fuel efficiency- maybe they are slightly better, but there is not a lot in it. It is not a solution for a long range aircraft with a higher proportion of 460mph cruise, but for an aircraft flying 1 hour legs with a high proportion of lower speed flight, the increased drag is not largely significant compared to the engineering savings in simplicity.