TWA Delivery Colors DC-9-14/15 - 1:144 Draw Decal

[Viking]

TWA Delivery Colors DC-9-14/15
1:144 Draw Decal

The DC-9 series of airliners have enjoyed a long and sucessful career over the decades since the first examples entered service in the mid 1960's. They have served with a multitude of airlines, and the original short fuselage series 10 was developed through series 20, 30, 40, and 50 variants with increasing size fuselage, though the 20 kept the 10's short fuselage and utilised the 30's longer wing. Further development led to the MD-80 series with even longer fuselages and a new larger wing and engines.
TWA were amomgst the first operators, and took delivery of their original series 10's in 1966 in the rocket striped 'Twin Globes' livery. Draw Decal have this scheme in their 'Digital Silk' range in 1:200, 1:144, and 1:120 scales.

The sheet provides for all variations in the livery, with grey or black door outlines, bare metal or white cockpit framing, 'Douglas DC-9' or 'Starstream' logos for the engines, and fleet numbers to cover the entire fleet. All is detailed in the instructions.

The Rocket Stripe is printed as a complete unit and will need to be trimmed to allow for the rear engine pylons. This is sensible as the base kit most of will use will either be the Fly models version, or a cut down Airfix kit. It is a simple matter to photocopy the sheet and cut out the stripes, then tape them in place on the fuselage. Using a cocktail stick the photocopy can be creased to go around the pylon, and the removed and cut along the crease line.

Test fitting will ensure it is correct, then the copy can be placed over the decal and used as a template to remove the pylon cut out. This procdure is often useful with a lot of aftermarket decal sets, and is simpler to do than to explain.

It is important to follow Draw's instructions. The constant carrier film requires that you need cut around each decal individually.It can then be dipped in hot water, and applied to the model as normal. After allowing 10 - 20 minutes for the decal to grip, a cloth dipped in hot water can be pressed over it to blend it in to the surface. I used a sheet of kitchen paper folded over many times, dipped in hot water from the kettle, being careful not to burn my fingers.
The decals will the conform to any curvatures, and stick like limpets to the surface. As with all types of decals, a coat of Kleer/Future will seal them in.

Conclusion.
Another lovely set from Draw Decals, that creates a really attractive model. Some of the best liveries were around in the 1960's and 70's and it is great to be able to model them. I had no trouble applying these to my Fly Models DC-9, but you must apply them a few at a time and let them settle, and use the hot cloth treatment.

More photos in 'Ready for Inspection'

Highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[pommie commie]

Lovely model there.

That scheme looks good today.

Paul