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In Formation 1/144 Boeing 717 Resin Kit

In Formation 1/144 Boeing 717

By Tim Bradley

History

Originally flown in October 1995, the airplane was designated the Boeing 717 after the merger of McDonnell Douglas and The Boeing Company in 1997. Launch customer AirTran Airways took delivery of the first 717-200 on Sept. 23, 1999. There are currently 10 customers/operators of the 717 worldwide, with more than 60 airplanes in regular passenger service. With a wingspan of 93.3 feet (28.4 meters) and overall length of 124 feet (37.8 meters), the 717 is similar in size to the successful DC-9-30.

The Kit

I first reviewed In Formation's Boeing 717 in December 2001 in this magazine. To recap, my review stated it was a very disappointing model. I'm please to announce that this completely new kit is OUTSTANDING! The kit has been redone from ground zero. The model comes as a complete kit. The kit is shipped in a sturdy crush proof cardboard box . The instruction sheet is a one page quick briefing of basic assembly facts. The fuselage has a cut out for the supplied resin cockpit windows or you may use the MD-80 clear kit piece. This is a nice touch. I scrutinized the body for any joints from having been cut down from the MD-80 kit. I found none. The body includes all the vents and A.P.U. exhaust pipe and along with scribed gear doors. The fin is made in the Hasegawa style of assembly and will be the only area which will need the most attention to sanding.

The wing and saddle are one piece and fit up into the body. The wing has the flap hinges and wing fence molded in place, another nice touch. Extra flap hinges are provided in case of breakage. All the landing gear legs have brass wire molded into them for added support of the resin body. The wheels are copies of the MD-80 kit and carry all the full details.

The engines are stunning, they rival the BraZ after market parts. The front fan and rear hot section are all one piece. The engine pylons are mounted on the body, so painting the engine will be a snap.

In my first review, I gave a recipe for making a Boeing 717 from scratch. Mix together one Airfix DC-9 kit for the wings and horizontal stabilizers, one Minicraft MD-80 kit for its body and landing gear. A Braz resin MD-87 tail and rudder and then scratch build a pair of engines. At $30 for this kit, you would be crazy and lighter in the wallet to do this now.

Conclusion

Last month I said the In Formation CV-990 was their best effort to date. I stand corrected. In Formation keeps getting better every model. I can't wait to build this! Look for this and other fine In Formation products on the DRAW Decal web site.