Minicraft's 1/144 McDonnell
Douglas MD-80
|
 |
Brief History
 The Boeing MD-80, a quiet, fuel-efficient twinjet, was certified by
the Federal Aviation Administration in August 1980 and entered airline
service in October 1980. Its Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engines, combined
with its efficient aerodynamic design, allow the MD-80 to meet all current
noise regulations while producing operating costs among the lowest in
commercial aviation.
Typical cruise speed of the MD-80 is 504mph or 0.76Mach at 35,000
feet. The MD-80's nonstop range is from 1,500 to 2,700 statute miles.
The MD-80's maximum takeoff weight is 140,000 pounds.
 Operators range from the largest foreign and domestic trunk carriers
to new startup airlines and charter operators. Swissair and Austrian
Airlines began the first service, while American Airlines operates the
largest number of MD-80s, a fleet of 275. In addition, 35 MD-80 airplanes
were assembled and are operating in the People's Republic of China.
The MD-80 was produced at the Long Beach Division of Boeing Commercial
Airplanes until December 1999.
The Build
 The kit is a 1/144 scale Minicraft MD-80 that came with decals for
Delta Airlines "Widget Scheme" . The fuselage came with a choice
of tail cones to choose from and a clear canopy/windscreen too. Nicely
engraved panel lines and correct detail on the wings and tail sections
as well. Out of the box the Minicraft's MD-80 is a fine and friendly
build!
The Mods
 I choose to modify my MD-80 with the flaps and slats deployed for a
landing profile look. Some surgery was done to the wings to achive this
build for that landing "MadDog" posture look! I removed the
flaps from the top and bottom portions of the wing molds. I saved the
bottom portion of flaps and with some styrene made a smaller leading
main flap. I also made new flap guides or "jack screws" from
styrene to support the smaller leading and main flaps together to the
bottom of the wings.
 The
slats were made also from plastic styrene as well. I first sanded down
the leading slats to remove the panel marks, also to give the new slats
a better profile look too. Underneath the leading edge of the wing I made
new slat guides or hinges for the slats to rest on.
The SAS Star Alliance decals were provided by Greg at "Draw Decals".
The decals were very well designed and were a joy to apply on this build!
Finish and Detailing
 After a well fine wet sanding the painting of the fuselage was done
with Tamiya's "Insignia White" and "Italian Red" sprays.
The entire wing and stabs were painted as well with Tamiya "Light
Ghost Grey" spray. The leading edges of the wing/stabs were painted
with a buffing silver spray. Testors aluminum and steel mixed with thined
flat black were used for the engine intakes and exhaust.
 I used pencil lead to weather the wings and fuselage. Future acrylic
floor finish was brushed on the model when she was good and dry. I then
polished the fuselage with some Martin guitar polish.
Photographs
All photos were taken by myself with a Nikon Cool-Pix 4800 with no
flash.
|
|
