1/144 Minicraft Boeing 757-200

America West 'Ohio'

by Ray Seppala

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This is the Minicraft Boeing 757-200.  This kit has been around for a while now and is the only injection molded version around.  The Minicraft 757 is available in two versions, one with Roll Royce engines and the second in Pratt & Whitney engines.  Both variants have been issued in various boxings.  This is a Rolls Royce powered version used by America West.   A few years ago I saw pictures of this aircraft on Airliners.net and thought I must build it, I just loved the colour scheme.  Well I was elated when I discovered Brasil Decal had released a sheet including the 'Ohio' scheme.  Other America West schemes included on the sheet are the Nevada, Arizona and Arizona Cardinals aircraft.

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As this was the second 757 I have built there were no surprises with the build, it was built straight from the box and I added a few antenna and drain masts from Evergreen card, I was not worried about correcting inaccuracies with the kit. 

I was disappointed with the decals though.  Firstly the scheme involved over lapping some decals which where slightly translucent, secondly they would not conform to the complex curves on the model (of which there were plenty!)  So this resulted in a few wrinkles in the decals which no amount of decal softening/setting solution would make conform.  From a distance it is not noticeable. 

Overall I am happy with the result, though I am not sure if the rest of the decal sheet will see light of day for a while, I understand that Brasil Decal have addressed the problem by thinning the film used on their sheets.  Anyway it has added a colourful bird to my collection.  Hope you like it.

Ray 

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Photos and text © by Ray Seppala