Evolution and Basic Design Philosophy: Background to the Requirement for a Short/Medium‐Range Airliner, Versions of the Trident and Selection of Basic Configuration

AS long ago as 1944, de Havilland's were making their first preliminary studies of a three‐turbojet‐engined airliner for use on short/medium haul routes. This aircraft would have had three engines buried in the rear fuselage and tail booms similar to the de Havilland Vampire, and was designed to carry 20 passengers over stages up to 750 statute miles.