N.A.C. Boeings To Be Improved

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31926, 1 March 1969, Page 14

N.A.C. Boeings To Be Improved

(Front Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, February 28. Modifications will be made to the National Airways Corporation’s Boeing 737 s later this year to improve their speed and running economy, and to reduce landing distances.

The modifications are scheduled to be made in October, November and December, and will bring the airliners to Boeing’s original specifications. A major improvement will be a new high-performance engine thrust reverser. This will stop the 737 jetliner 23 per cent faster than the .reverser now being used. The engine nacelle will be extended 45in aft to create a better aerodynamic flow that will reduce drag. Better sealing on the lower leading edges of the wing-flaps, slat and access panels—and change in the vortex generators on the wings will all reduce drag, which in turn will raise the speed of the aircraft and reduce fuel consumption. These, and other alterations, have recently been incorporated in Boeings coming off the production line in Seattle. The Boeing company says that all aircraft already delivered will receive the new thrust reversers, vortex generators and leading edge improvement retrofit kits at no charge. When N.A.C, orders more Boeing 7375, in accordance

with its Viscount replacement programme, they will have improved flap settings that will permit them to take off in shorter distances under full load. A weight reduction programme since May, 1966, has trimmed 12631 b from the basic airframe —more than enough to offset the product improvement weight increases.