The first generation 737s (737-100s and 737-200s) were first ordered in 1965 and were delivered in December of 1967. Since that time, Boeing has continually modified its smallest line of jets, resulting in the current generation of 737s, which includes the enlarged 737-300 (first delivered in 1984 to USAir), the further enlarged 737-400 (first delivered in 1988 to Piedmont Airlines), and the smaller 737-500 (first delivered in 1990). Today Boeing is in the process of producing the next-generation of 737s, comprised of the 600, 700, and 800 series.

Changes include a larger wing, higher cruise speed, increased range, and new engines with improvements in noise, fuel burn and thrust. With over 3,300 orders the Boeing 737 has become the world's all time best-selling commercial jetliner. Over 2,700 have already been delivered to more than 250 customers in 95 countries. By 1996, 737s had carried more than 4.3 billion passengers and flown more than 26.6 billion miles. Over 700 737s are in the sky at all times.

THE KIT

Hasegawa has had very good response to its series of 1/200 airliners that were initially boxed as 'Love Liners'. The smallest that they have ever done has been the C-47/DC-3, which is really quite small in this scale. Prior to that, the DC-9-30 and B.737-200 were the smallest that they've done. Though the Minicraft boxing doesn't come with a stand, those marketed by Hasegawa generally do. To be more amenable to the US market, Minicraft reboxed the airliner kits with new (and boring) boxes and US airline liveries. The 737-200, one of the most widely built and used medium haul airliners around, was boxed with United livery.

The kit itself is pretty basic and an excellent introduction kit to the wonderful world of airliner modelling. As it is 1/200 scale, it takes up very little space on a display shelf.  The main fuselage is molded in white with the rest of the kit in a medium grey. Panel lines are raised, other than the doors and control surfaces. There are no cabin windows, but a cockpit transparency is provided. A large plastic bulkhead is also given which provides sufficient weight to keep it on all three gear, a trait of even the largest 747 kits in this series.

The plastic is free from flash and sink areas, which includes the one piece wing and tailplanes. There are a few ejector pin marks, but they will be hidden once the kit s built. There is no wheels up option and making an in-flight model will require cutting off the nose gear doors and removing the main gear strut attachment points at a minimum. The engine has a compressor face for the intake and exhaust to prevent any see through effect.

Instructions are copies of the Japanese ones and modified in terms of markings and having the write up in English. Color information is provided in generic colors with the decal placement guide. It is basically a white fuselage with medium grey flying surfaces and bare metal engine covers and leading edges. The decals are by Scalemaster and though slightly off register (what else is new), are colorful and go on easily. There are a number of aftermarket decals available for this and most of the other airliners in this scale.

CONCLUSIONS