/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_1_fs.jpg
Boeing 727, AIRFIX 1/144
Background.
The design of Boeing 727 began in February of 1956 and was completed in September of 1959, while the serial production of the aircraft began in August of 1960, and the first orders came from Eastern Air Lines (40 machines) and United Airlines (20 aircraft). The first flight was made on the 2nd of September, 1969, with FAA certification was received on October 20th, 1963. During this time, the next orders arrived from American Airlines (25 aircrafts), TWA (10), TAA and Ansett Australian - ANA (each ordered 4) with 12 aircraft for Lufthansa. The first regular operational flight was made by Eastern Airlines from Miami to Washington and Philadelphia. Until 1967, the Boeing 727 was the most widely used airliners operating on medium-range lines.
Main versions of the Boeing 727:
B727 - 100C (Convertible - Passenger and Freight)
B727 - 100 Business Jet
B727 - 200 extended version of the B727 - 100 with a standard capacity of 163 seats or a maximum of 189 seats. The fuselage was extended by fitting two segments of ten feet (3.05 m) each in front and behind the wing. In addition a engine was change as well - to P&W JT8D – 15 engines, which increased the range of flight by 800 miles (1287 km).
------------------------------------
Specifications (Boeing 727 - 200):
Type: medium range airliner
Powertrain: 3 turbofan engines Pratt & Whitney JT8D - 9A (6577 lbs.) , JT8D - 15 (7031 lbs.), or JT8D - 17 (7893 kg)
Cruising speed: 599 mph (964 km / h)
Range at cruising speed 542mph (872 km / h) and with maximum fuel: 4593 miles (7392 km)
Weight of empty aircraft with equipment: 51.450 Tons (46.675 Metric Tons)
Maximum takeoff weight: 027 kg 95
Wingspan: 108 feet (32.92 m)
Length: 153 feet (46.69 m)
Height: 34 feet (10.36 m)
Wing area: 518 square feet (157.9 m2)
Crew: 3
Number of passengers: 145 (Class 2) - 189 (maximum).
Seating - six in a row (3 +3)
Model.
After a few years we see the return of one of the icons of model market - Airfix. This company has come back by changing the box art design, placing more new and re-release models which weren't in production for a long time. It is a pity that in case of re-released models the changes and modifications have been limited only to the new box art and a set of decals. As Revell proved on the their reissue of the SUD Caravelle SE-210 in 1 / 100 scale, it's possible to breathing new life by slightly improved the form in the old molds. Surprising is the lack of such action by Airfix – is changing the panel lines from raised to engraved too much to expect?
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_5_fs.jpg
The model consists of several parts cast in light gray plastic. Parts are fairly clean, without any mold shifts nor flash. Unfortunately, the panel lines are raised and clumsy. The quality and quantity of detail is not high and are far behind recent models made by Zvezda or Revell. A complete misunderstanding is to make the passenger compartment windows open but not include a set of transparent parts for them (the model includes only the cockpit windows) or decal, which would require filling with MicroScale Krystal Kleer or putty them over and paint. That lack of decal windows is surprising especially since Airfix adds a very large decal sheet and some of the decal stripes which span the fuselage could have easily included the windows.
The initial fit of the main elements do not announce major problems with the assembly, although in some places the intervention of putty and abrasive paper seems to be necessary.
Decals and assembly instructions.
Airfix provides decals on a big sheet, thanks to this a individual elements are arranged with a very good separation. The quality, thickness and color gives a very good impression, although in some places are visible a small shift.
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_4_fs.jpg
Instructions are printed on both sides of a big sheet. Building instruction is presented in three steps on one side. Assembly is illustrated clearly and logically - building the model should not pose any problem.
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_3_fs.jpg
Paint schemes are printed in color - thus increasing the attractiveness of and helps less brainy modelers correctly locate the appropriate decals. Airfix provides two markings:
B727-256, Iberia 1996
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_2_fs.jpg
B727-287 Aerolineas Argentinas 1987
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_6_fs.jpg
Summary.
The model will surely find many takers – undoubtedly the highlight of the kit is the price (this is probably the only currently available model B-727), which even though not of the highest quality, is probably too high, but it still is less than that sought for the similar models from Zvezda or Revell (~ 12 - 15$).
Regards,
Hubert R. Labecki
http://community.webshots.com/user/dewertus
Boeing 727, AIRFIX 1/144
Background.
The design of Boeing 727 began in February of 1956 and was completed in September of 1959, while the serial production of the aircraft began in August of 1960, and the first orders came from Eastern Air Lines (40 machines) and United Airlines (20 aircraft). The first flight was made on the 2nd of September, 1969, with FAA certification was received on October 20th, 1963. During this time, the next orders arrived from American Airlines (25 aircrafts), TWA (10), TAA and Ansett Australian - ANA (each ordered 4) with 12 aircraft for Lufthansa. The first regular operational flight was made by Eastern Airlines from Miami to Washington and Philadelphia. Until 1967, the Boeing 727 was the most widely used airliners operating on medium-range lines.
Main versions of the Boeing 727:
B727 - 100C (Convertible - Passenger and Freight)
B727 - 100 Business Jet
B727 - 200 extended version of the B727 - 100 with a standard capacity of 163 seats or a maximum of 189 seats. The fuselage was extended by fitting two segments of ten feet (3.05 m) each in front and behind the wing. In addition a engine was change as well - to P&W JT8D – 15 engines, which increased the range of flight by 800 miles (1287 km).
------------------------------------
Specifications (Boeing 727 - 200):
Type: medium range airliner
Powertrain: 3 turbofan engines Pratt & Whitney JT8D - 9A (6577 lbs.) , JT8D - 15 (7031 lbs.), or JT8D - 17 (7893 kg)
Cruising speed: 599 mph (964 km / h)
Range at cruising speed 542mph (872 km / h) and with maximum fuel: 4593 miles (7392 km)
Weight of empty aircraft with equipment: 51.450 Tons (46.675 Metric Tons)
Maximum takeoff weight: 027 kg 95
Wingspan: 108 feet (32.92 m)
Length: 153 feet (46.69 m)
Height: 34 feet (10.36 m)
Wing area: 518 square feet (157.9 m2)
Crew: 3
Number of passengers: 145 (Class 2) - 189 (maximum).
Seating - six in a row (3 +3)
Model.
After a few years we see the return of one of the icons of model market - Airfix. This company has come back by changing the box art design, placing more new and re-release models which weren't in production for a long time. It is a pity that in case of re-released models the changes and modifications have been limited only to the new box art and a set of decals. As Revell proved on the their reissue of the SUD Caravelle SE-210 in 1 / 100 scale, it's possible to breathing new life by slightly improved the form in the old molds. Surprising is the lack of such action by Airfix – is changing the panel lines from raised to engraved too much to expect?
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_5_fs.jpg
The model consists of several parts cast in light gray plastic. Parts are fairly clean, without any mold shifts nor flash. Unfortunately, the panel lines are raised and clumsy. The quality and quantity of detail is not high and are far behind recent models made by Zvezda or Revell. A complete misunderstanding is to make the passenger compartment windows open but not include a set of transparent parts for them (the model includes only the cockpit windows) or decal, which would require filling with MicroScale Krystal Kleer or putty them over and paint. That lack of decal windows is surprising especially since Airfix adds a very large decal sheet and some of the decal stripes which span the fuselage could have easily included the windows.
The initial fit of the main elements do not announce major problems with the assembly, although in some places the intervention of putty and abrasive paper seems to be necessary.
Decals and assembly instructions.
Airfix provides decals on a big sheet, thanks to this a individual elements are arranged with a very good separation. The quality, thickness and color gives a very good impression, although in some places are visible a small shift.
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_4_fs.jpg
Instructions are printed on both sides of a big sheet. Building instruction is presented in three steps on one side. Assembly is illustrated clearly and logically - building the model should not pose any problem.
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_3_fs.jpg
Paint schemes are printed in color - thus increasing the attractiveness of and helps less brainy modelers correctly locate the appropriate decals. Airfix provides two markings:
B727-256, Iberia 1996
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_2_fs.jpg
B727-287 Aerolineas Argentinas 1987
/images/articles/Dewertus/727/727_6_fs.jpg
Summary.
The model will surely find many takers – undoubtedly the highlight of the kit is the price (this is probably the only currently available model B-727), which even though not of the highest quality, is probably too high, but it still is less than that sought for the similar models from Zvezda or Revell (~ 12 - 15$).
Regards,
Hubert R. Labecki
http://community.webshots.com/user/dewertus