1/144 Minicraft MD-80

Gallery Article by Todd Wheaton on Oct 3 2003

 

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.

 

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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.

The windshield decal went down perfectly as did the tail markings.  For all the problems with the decals, I would recommend this kit for the advanced builder, but otherwise anyone can handle the construction.  I have about 30 hours in it and it was fun and very economical.  Most of the time was spent on the bare aluminum finish which didn't work out as I had hoped.  But that's another story....

Todd Wheaton

      

Photos and text © by Todd Wheaton