1/144 DC-9-33F – SAS 75th Anniversary Group Build.
This is an original issue Airfix kit from 1973. I picked it up at a show back in 2017 for $4 US. I dabble in airliners and Douglas products are my favorites. It’s not a bad kit 50 years later. It’s only real failing is that the fuselage is round, not the correct double bubble shape. The SAS group build gave me a perfect excuse to build it. I purchased a Lima November sheet for Norwegian registered SAS DC-9/MD-80s and chose the rarely seen freighter version. SAS operated two of these between the late 1960s and early 1990s.
I built the kit pretty much from the box. I only added new blade antennas and nose gear doors from plastic card. Paints are Tamiya spray bomb white and silver leaf. Detail paints are Humbrol and Floquil enamels. I also used Liveries Unlimited coroguard decals for the inspar sections on the wings.
Thanks for looking and happy modeling!
7 additional images. Click to enlarge.
John vd Biggelaar said on November 16, 2021
This is an exceptionally well build airliner, John @j-healy
Incredible on how you made all those windows disappear.
Perfect in all areas.
It was a pleasure to follow your thread.
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, John!
Bob Torres said on November 16, 2021
Great job John, a really nice looking build. The decals and overall finish is spot on!
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, Bob!
Greg Kittinger said on November 16, 2021
Looks great!
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, Greg!
Eric Berg said on November 16, 2021
Nice n clean looking cargo jet John. The white paint looks perfect. Great job eliminating those windows. Glad you posted a photo holding it in your hand to give us a perspective of the model’s size.
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thank you, Eric. It’s just the right size now sitting between two DC-8s on my shelf!
Spiros Pendedekas said on November 16, 2021
Came out really amazing, John!
What a great result! For some reason I used to overlook airliners: how wrong I was!
Your build thread was also a joy to follow.
Congratulations!
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, Spiros. I’ve always liked airliners. I grew up next to O’Hare in Chicago and worked there for many years. I honestly miss the first generation jets. They had some character.
Tom Cleaver said on November 16, 2021
Nice save on this old chestnut. A great result.
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, Tom. It’s still one of my favorite kits.
Csaba said on November 16, 2021
Excellent build of an old kit! Looks really nice, and it is definitely a rare type.
John Healy said on November 16, 2021
Thanks, Csaba! The freighters were indeed pretty rare sights.
Robert Royes said on November 16, 2021
Great looking DC-9! You could tell one type of plane from another back then.
My last navy reserve unit flew the [D]C-9.
John Healy said on November 17, 2021
Thanks, Robert. I loved the DC-9. I flew on Delta’s regularly years ago, usually from Atlanta to Pensacola while traveling between Chicago and Alabama. Airborne Express flew their cargo -32s into O’Hare a lot when I worked there. They got every penny out of those planes, LOL.