Finnair | McDonnell Douglas MD-82 | OH-LMT | Phoenix Models

I had been expecting to review MD-80s in 2025 but I hadn't expected them to come from Phoenix Models who, until this Finnair example, hadn't released one since 2017. NG Models lack of usage of their Super 80s has opened a window for competing releases and Phoenix have swooped in. The issue of course is that this isn't a new mould, but does that matter? Let's take a closer look and see.

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This review is split into three key areas:

• The model mould
• The paint and livery reproduction
• Printing and quality control

Each section can get a maximum score of 10 for a maximum combined score of 30

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MOULD

The Phoenix MD-80 mould was actually originally a TucanoLine casting, with the first examples released in 2002. Phoenix took it over in 2003 and released 12 models up to 2011. Eight further releases followed from 2014-2017 with the mould updated with rolling gear and aerials.

I admit I had never paid much attention to the Phoenix MD-80 and prior to this I only owned a single model (dating from 2006). I had always considered the mould rather ordinary, but the 2006 JetsGo version I own isn't necessarily a good representation of where the mould is now in 2025.

Competition for this mould comes from the 2014 Gemini Jets / JC Wings mould (reviewed last here in July with this Frontier example) and the 2024 NG Models mould (reviewed last here in March with this American Airlines example). There is no expectation that this Phoenix mould should beat the NG version, but they have so far used their mould fitfully and so few MD-80s have been made in 400 scale that rarely is their direct competition between models.

This updated Phoenix mould is much more competitive against the Gemini Jets mould and actually better. The area of clear superiority is at the front-end. The entire forward fuselage including cockpit, radome, side strakes and nosegear door are a lot better than the Gemini mould. 

The Phoenix version also doesn't suffer from the uneven underside the Gemini has and Phoenix, unlike GJ, have also put the effort in to include the underside aerials as well as the dorsal one. All three aerials are better sized as well.

Where the Phoenix mould suffers in comparison to the Gemini is the presence of two seamlines (around the wing join and at the tail top), but the fuselage seam is quite discrete and the Phoenix mould has better wing dihedral and a more accurate tailtop contour. The wingseam join does however remove any trace of the rounded fuselage fairing.

At the rear the engines are better sized than the Gemini mould, although the blade style tailcone is too rounded and not sharp enough. I am liking the updated rolling gear on the model here, once again the nosetyre hubs are better than on the Gemini, although they're a little too large. The maingear doors are a little too large also and hide too much of the maingear tyres.

A comparison to the NG Models mould is less positive with the NG version being superior in most respects, but the Phoenix mould still holds up well and I didn't expect it to be this good. It is no surprise that a mould originally dating from 2002 doesn't have the finesse of a 2024 mould, or features like moulded in engine strakes, no seams, the fuselage creaseline etc.

This mould is a very pleasant surprise and confidently I can say this is a better MD-80 than the Gemini Jets / JC Wings mould, which is 12 years younger! With NG not using their MD-80, as I had hoped they would, this is a fine substitute.

SCORE - 7

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PAINT & LIVERY

Finnair operated 26 MD-80s, but oddly OH-LMT only served with them from May 1989-May 1993. These were the days when Finnair had a decent livery and every subsequent scheme has gotten blander and more ugly. This scheme on the MD-80 even featured some SAS-like belly striping. 

The main livery features are well positioned on the model, but I do think the main blue colour used is a little too dark overall. For comparison photos see here and here. This impacts the cheatline and tail, but having complained about the shade it does match well with the SMA Finnair DC-9 I own.

The only other issue to note is that I think the nosecone Finnair logo is a little too small on the model. The juxtaposition to that is that the printing of the LMT onto the tiny nosegear doors is excellent.

SCORE - 8

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PRINTING & QUALITY CONTROL

Historically I have been quite critical of Phoenix models printing detail, but things have changed a lot in the past few years. The fineness and quality on show with this model is top class. Turning the model over to look at the underside there is a huge amount of fine line printing, especially at the rear fuselage.

Build and print quality combine nicely at the engines. The recent Frontier Gemini MD-80 I reviewed had sloppy finishing at the engine rims. This model's finish here is significantly better aside from a very minor lack of silver at the side of the portside engine.

Build quality is very good, the only fault I can see is that the nosegear tyres are uneven.

SCORE - 9

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CONCLUSION

When Phoenix announced this MD-80 I was sceptical that it would be any good. I am happy to admit I was wrong. After buying this model I am more than happy to acquire further Phoenix MD-80s, certainly over the Gemini / JC offerings. I admit I would still give the NG version my preference, but I'm far from sure that I'd replace the Phoenix with an NG if and when they ever release a competing airline livery. At the moment I'm now looking to acquire the upcoming China Northern and Northwest examples.

FINAL SCORE - 24/30