1/144 Minicraft MD-80 |
Gallery Article by Todd Wheaton
on
Oct 3 2003
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This is my second
Minicraft MD-80 and like the first attempt, this kit is not without some
challenges. I often build airliners for others who are in the aviation
field and I was pleased that Minicraft offered the US Air markings on the MD-80
as I get asked for it a lot.
Many former PSA pilots who are now with US Airways (the current rendition of
several mergers) were very fond of the MD-80 and this kit should sell well.
Opening the box reveals the standard Minicraft quality with well-molded parts
and little, if any, flash. All the parts fit together very well and little
filling/sanding is required. The exception is the clear cockpit window
"dome" that needs some filing to size on the sides and top to get just
right. Those of you who want it to remain clear take care not to scratch
it. The area right in front of the center windscreen is the most
vulnerable since it butts right up against the plastic of the fuselage.
Why they did this, I don't know. In contrast, the 737 kit gives you some
room for error.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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All went well until the decals. Although very thin and extremely dense in
color, there are some problems. First of all, the port side didn't have
enough windows. This seemed to have been made up for with the starboard
side having too many. When the front half of the stripe/window pieces went
together, the window problems become obvious.
I left the port side alone and cut the additional window off of the starboard
side. They also don't like to be moved much once they're on the model.
I suggest, as always, getting them as close to their final location when sliding
them from the backing paper.
Secondly, the dark
blue stripe alongside the main red stripe is a different width from front half
to back. This is a very noticeable problem.
Third, the decal doesn't maintain a straight "waterline" effect up to
and including the radome area, rising slightly instead. It also doesn't
like to lay down very well on the nose, requiring some setting solution and is
too long and required trimming, which resulted in some breakage. These
overly long decals on the nose are compensated for by the shortfalls on the tail
cone. There are the main stripes which meet up fairly well, but the
additional two pieces (per side) fall short of their respective marks.
This requires some paint to fill the gaps. I would recommend guards red, or mix
your own. If I do this version again, I'll paint the stripe in its
entirety.