Boeing 737-8 Max Prototype

Boeing 737 MAX 8 Prototype N8704Q, MSN 36988 c2016 prior to her delivery to Southwest Airlines
(Zvezda Boeing 737-8 Max, kit #7026, ©2018)

The Boeing 737 MAX was developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes as the fourth generation of the Boeing 737 with the intention of matching fuel burn of the 737 MAX to that of the Airbus A320neo's 15% fuel-burn advantage. It succeeds the Boeing 737 Next Generation and incorporates more efficient CFM International LEAP engines, aerodynamic improvements such as split-tip winglets, and structural modifications. The program was announced in August 2011, the first flight took place in January 2016, and the aircraft was certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 2017.

The kit is beautifully engineered and molded. I had no problems during construction aside from a self-induced injury when I melted the canopy hood while struggling to dry the white fuselage topcoat. Fortunately, the kit includes two clear pieces, one with eyebrow windows which I re-purposed.

Decals are from PAS decals, and do the job although seriously pixelated upon close inspection. Masking and fitting the fuselage stripes took forever! Paints are mostly Tamiya acrylics.