A few years ago, it was decided to look for a replacement for the then long-serving VC-137 executive transports. These aircraft had been in service for 30 or more years, and despite their relatively low airframe hours (compared to equivalent commercial airliners), they were in need of replacement. What was needed was an equivalent type that was more modern, fuel efficient and could be bought basically off the shelf. The choice was made to buy the Boeing 757-200. 

These aircraft are almost identical to those flying with the airlines with the exception of secure voice and data transmission and reception equipment. The interiors are a bit more upscale than the standard airliner, but are again, items that are offered by Boeing to any customer. Like other USAF Executive transports, they are operated by the 89th AW based at Andrews AFB near Washington DC.

There are four C-32s in service, the first being the subject of this kit, serial number 98-0001. All four of them are powered by P&W 2040 turbofans, providing 40,000 lbs of thrust and able to travel at speeds of up to 590 mph.

 
Minicraft has gotten into the airliner business in a rather big way. In fact, most of their recent releases have been airliners. While the subjects of those kits have been long awaited by airliner kit builders, the actual kits themselves have been a mixed blessing.  To put it bluntly, they have not been what one has expected in terms of detail and ease of construction. In fact, some of the early propliners are a real bear to build and have  poor detailing. As of this writing, the author is currently struggling with their Boeing 377 and the air around the workbench is quite blue at times!

However, that kit was one of Minicraft's first and this on is one of their more recent. Let's take a look at what you get. As you can see by the image to the right, you get quite a bit of plastic. The fuselage itself is quite large and fills the length of the sturdy box it is shipped in. You get all you need to build a very nice airliner kit. 

What has become a Minicraft hallmark is the way the cockpit transparency is done. It is included as part of the fuselage, giving room to smooth it in with the surrounding fuselage. There are no cabin windows or depressions built into the fuselage, those windows being part of the decal sheet. This makes one wonder why there is a cockpit transparency as there is nothing to see through the windows. Most of us would rather have that part solid and have the cockpit windows as a decal as well. It just makes things look better overall and would cut down on the need to add in a separate part. Something that Minicraft may wish to consider for its next release.

Detailing on this kit is much better than on the B.377, but is still a bit 'soft'. By that, I mean that the corners of the engraved panel lines are not as razor sharp as with Tamiya and Hasegawa kits,the industry standards. Take a look at the image to the left, which is from the tail section, and you'll see what I mean. While it really isn't bad, it can use some improvement. Now I know this sounds like I am dumping on Minicraft, but really, they have improved quite a bit and are getting better with each release. Take the decal sheet for example.

The sheet offered in this kit is by Scalemaster. Unlike those in ProModeler kits, this one is in perfect register and very well done. What you get are all the windows and door as well as the striping. You will have to paint the dark blue areas yourself, but this should not be that much of a problem. I would recommend making a 1/1 copy of the decal sheet and then use the copy to make a painting mask. That way you will be sure to get the blue area in the right place to match up with the stripes.

The instruction sheet is more than adequate for building the kit, offering color callouts throughout the construction process where needed. The decal placement diagram also has a good color diagram. All colors except the blue are given as generic names. I suspect that the light grey is really Boeing Aircraft Grey, which you can get in the Xtracolor range or you can use Testor's Canadian Voodoo grey which is a close match.

Overall, this looks like a very nice kit. If you have been reading Modeling Madness for long, you know that there are a number of very nice alternative decal sheets for this aircraft.

Review kit courtesy of me and my wallet!

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