Reviewed by Lee Coll

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Revell-Germany’s 1/144 Boeing 737-800 kit offered the modeler the latest version of this workhorse airliner, used worldwide by a number of interesting carriers.  The kit is really nice and easy to build, but not without it’s faults.  Most notably is the fact that the kit’s cabin windows are molded about 1mm too low on the fuselage, not a big thing as many airliner modelers choose to fill these in and use window decals instead (Liveries Unlimited via Airline Hobby Supply offers the best set in Sheet A4-206.)  To be honest, I would have missed this altogether, if the LU sheet hadn’t mentioned it. 

The obvious error that I found much more problematic was the fact that while RoG got the re-designed wing and pylons just right, the engine nacelles are the wrong shape.  The intakes provided in the kit are those of the mid-production (-300, -400, & -500) series of 737s.  The Next Generation intakes are far more rounded, without the filleted triangular appearance on the earlier fan-powered 737s. 

In Formation (http://www.drawdecal.com/informat/inforhome.htm) offers a nice pair of replacement engines in two parts with a few smaller vortex strakes provided in a white resin medium.  The crispness of the fan face is exceptional, and even on the rear section, the back end of the fans are represented far up into the casting.  These are the only way to go to accurately portray a –600, -700, -800, or –900 series 737.  The quality of the casting did not match the quality of the pattern, and on both pairs I’d ordered there were some severe air bubbles near the “top” of  each item, “top” meaning relative to the orientation in which it was cast.  Fortunately the bubbles limited themselves to the mating surfaces that the modeler will treat anyway, as the molding gates are removed.  None were found on the fan face areas or at the exhaust or rear pylon tips. 

Recommended.

Images and Text Copyright 2003 by Lee Coll
This Page Created on 19 October, 2003
Last updated 18 October, 2003

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