Liveries Unlimited 1/144 SAS ‘Paper Airplane’ MD-82s

By Chris Banyai-Riepl

Minicraft has recently re-released their nice MD-80 kit in standard SAS markings, but for those of you who want to have something a bit more colorful, check this sheet out.  This sheet is for one of a pair of MD-82s painted up in special colors.  A total of two planes were painted up, one red and one blue, with lots of white airplanes painted randomly along the fuselage.  In addition to the standard SAS markings this sheet comes with all of these airplanes as separate small decals, except those that cross the window line.  Those are integrated with the window decal, making for a rather large and long decal.  The instructions suggest that for those who aren’t comfortable with handling such a large decal to cut it apart at an appropriate place and apply it in two pieces.

In addition to the rather obvious markings, this sheet also includes a fairly comprehensive collection of stenciling for the planes, including some interesting wing markings outboard of the overwing exit markings denoting the electric heater system.  Much attention to detail is apparent in this sheet, down to the white aircraft names, the Star Alliance logos, and even the different sized SAS logos for the tail.

The only problem I can see with this sheet is the same one that Liveries Unlimited has with their 737-800 Sterling Airways sheet and their 707 Braniff International sheet: you’re forced to choose ONE of the color schemes.  Being indecisive, I’ll just get another MD-80 kit and a second copy of this sheet: problem solved!  With the recent SAS MD-80 release this sheet will provide interesting contrast to the standard livery and I hope we’ll see more great MD-80 family sheets from Liveries Unlimited in the future.  Hey, how about a nice MD-90 sheet in the new Saudi Arabian livery?