<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by apirchik:
The reversers are pieces of metal that are pulled from the cover of the engine and places just behind the engine causing the thrust to reverse. This is impossible on tail mounted central engines like in the DC10, MD11, L1011 and the 727(center engine). It's possible only on those engine mounted sideways like DC9, F100, MD80, 717 and the side engines of the 727. </font>
er, DC-10 et al have thrust reversers on the tail engines, although these aren't the clamshell type used on DC-9 etc. they're more of a sliding shroud.
and I've seen the center engine of a 727 reverse when it powered back next to the DC-9 I was on at MSP. it's hard to see, as there's no clamshell on NW 727 engines, but you can see it happen if you're at the right angle. there's an internal pivoting bowl-shaped thingie that reverses thrust on those 727s.