Excellent little essay Mr. bcrosier. I like the short descriptions and the (probable) ramifications...if only each chapter of a AFM had a short /preview/review or summary like that. If you assigned a weighted point system I'd think the L1011 would come out leagues ahead over the DC-10. But then, as I recall the L1011 cost about $1.5 million more than the DC-10 when new - so less takers. (Also their were delays in engine development/certification, not Lockheed's problem, but it cost them).

The L1011 is/was the nicest cockpit I've been in, seemed to be laid out exceptionally well. I've never flown it, but it was my favorite jump-seat living room.