Model of the Month for December, 2010
Last month we reviewed the 1:200 Jet-X American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30. We reviewed it at a 9.2 out of 10. To find the review click here. This month we are featuring that model as our model of the month.
About the model:
Manufacturer – Jet-X
Airline – American Airlines
Aircraft – McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30
Scale – 1:200
Par Number – JXL025
The model was released in 2009, and then discontinued in 2009, but can still be found at most retailers. The model was produced on a limited production run, and is painted in the Reno Air/American Airlines hybrid livery. Its dimensions are 9.07in. long, 6.41in wide, and 1.83in. tall, and is registered N903RA.
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American Airlines is the world’s largest operator of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series aircraft with over 225 in service, and the MD-80 is one of the most successful aircraft of all time with over 825 still flying today. However, there is a lesser-known, sometimes forgotten big brother to the MD-80 that was not so successful. The MD-90 was the McDonnell Douglas designed aircraft built to compete with the Airbus A320, and certain variants of the Boeing 737. It was developed from the MD-80, and the only main differences were new International Aero Engines V2500 turbofan engines, and the fuselage was lengthened by 5 feet. It was launched in 1989 by Delta Air Lines, with an order for 50 aircraft and options for a further 110 aircraft, which is a promising start to any aircraft. Sadly though the MD-90 would not have the successful life that its brother had, and still has.
In 1997 Boeing would take over McDonnell Douglas, and when Boeing took over McDonnell Douglas the decision was made to shut down the MD-80/90 programs, and since Boeing took over in 1997 it was just 2 years after the first MD-90 was delivered. Since Boeing decided to shut down the MD-90 program, they effectively killed any chance for the MD-90 to have as successful of a life as it’s smaller brother. Obviously Boeing didn’t want internal competition between the MD-90, and the larger variants of the 737. As a result American Airlines, the largest operator of the MD-80, would never purchase the MD-90 brand new. Instead they purchased the Boeing 737-800.
Even with the difficulties the program had to face 116 aircraft were ordered and delivered. Of those 116 orders 5 went to a small airline in the United States named Reno Air. Once Reno Air received all of the aircraft they had ordered, they would register them N901-905RA with the last being delivered in December of 1997. Reno Air was a small airline operating mostly out of Reno, flying to the American Southwest. Eventually though the small airline would be overtaken by the much larger, more powerful American Airlines. Reno Air flew its last flight on the 30th of August 1999, and would then fade into history as part of American Airlines.
Suddenly American Airlines had 5 McDonnell Douglas MD-90 aircraft that were relatively brand new. N903RA as well as other ex-Reno Air aircraft were painted in a Reno Air/American Airlines hybrid livery, which had the normal American livery with a white fuselage instead of the bare metal. American even kept the Reno Air registration. Sadly the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001 forced the airlines to downsize, and restructure, and even though the MD-90s that had been acquired by American were very young aircraft they were sent to Marana to be stored.
N903RA first flew on the 1st of July 1996, and then, shortly after, delivered to Reno Air on the 30th of July 1996. It would fly diligently for Reno Air until August of 1999. It would then go on to serve American Airlines in the livery that Jet-X has captured it in, and then sent to storage, possibly never to fly again. At only 5 years old N903RA may have been at the end of its life. However, there was still life left for N903RA.
On the 3rd of January 2005 Lionair of Indonesia would purchase N903RA, and the aircraft would be transferred to Indonesia and would be re-registered PK-LIP. The aircraft still proudly flies today, at the ripe age of 14.4 years.
Jet-X has captured a magnificent piece of history with their American Airlines MD-90 N903RA. A piece of history that if not for the model, may have been lost completely to history, an aircraft that has a history full of ups and downs, highs and lows, and certainty and uncertainty. When N903RA was delivered to Reno Air no one could have predicted the amazing trip it would take, and is still taking today.
The MD-90 program suffered heavily due to the Boeing Takeover, and N903RA suffered due to airline takeovers, and economic downturns, but it has soldiered on for over a decade. As it flies over the skies of Indonesia today you can almost hear it screaming, “You miss me when I’m gone!”
Photo credits - AirNikon, Wilsam Cheung, Chris Coduto, M Radzi Desa, and Ole Simon.
Thanks for reading!
Posted by: Bryce Rea
Comment
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Comment by Brad Shinn on December 6, 2010 at 1:16pm
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That is a cool model of the MD-90. The real ones do have that dragster look when not fullly filled with fuel.
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