Minicraft Boeing 737-300 1/144 Scale

In 1967, the smaller, short-range 737 twinjet was the logical airplane to complement the 707 and the 727. There was increasing demand for transports in its category, but the 737 faced heavy competition from the Douglas DC-9 and the British Aircraft Corp. BAC-111.

To save production time, and get the plane on the market as soon as possible, Boeing gave the 737 the same upper-lobe fuselage as the 707 and 727, so the same upper-deck cargo pallets could be used for all three jets. The 737 later adopted the 727's cargo convertible features, which allowed the interior to be changed from passenger to cargo use in the 737-200 series.

The 737 had six-abreast seating -- a selling point, because this way it could take more passengers per load -- the DC-9 seated five abreast. The number of seats in the 737 also was increased by mounting the engines under the wing. This engine placement buffered some of the noise, decreased vibration and made it easier to maintain the airplane at ground level.

Like the 727, the 737 could operate self-sufficiently at small airports and on remote, unimproved fields. The plane's performance in these conditions led to orders in Africa. Later, airlines in Central and South America, Asia and Australia bought the versatile jet.

Model Kit Review:

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/portland/971/Reviews/misc/737-300-ansett.htm

Additional information:

http://www.boeing.com/history/boeing/737.html

http://www1.airliners.net/info/stats.main?id=92

http://www.aviationexplorer.com/737_facts.htm