johnmcgrew@aol.com (JohnMcGrew) wrote:

>Actually, primitive airports were a major consideration for both these planes,
>as they were being sold as short and medium range "feeders" to replace places
>that were still being served by DC-3s in the early '60s.  The 727 was actually
>certified for and used on gravel runways in Alaska; conditions that a
>under-slung engine could not survive.

B737s could have, as a factory-option, gravel kits installed, and
aircraft with this option operate from gravel runways. I suspect that
these 737s have under-slung engines and that they survive such
operations....