MD-82 and MD-83 tail cones

[jayveedee]

I was just looking at pics for my MD-82 project and on one picture it said
the MD-82 had the screwdriver shaped tail cone and the MD-83 had the cone
shaped tail cone. Is this correct? Thanks.---John

[Knotty]

I don’t think it would matter, as lots of MD-83s had the screwdriver cone . Just have a look at the particular aircraft you want to model .

[jayveedee]

Thanks but I can't. I flew on it in 1989 from Albany NY to Chicago and have no pics
and don't know the registration number. I'm trying to figure the configuration of the
tail for mid 1989.---John

[tor lives]

Thanks but I can't. I flew on it in 1989 from Albany NY to Chicago and have no pics
and don't know the registration number. I'm trying to figure the configuration of the
tail for mid 1989.---John

What airline???
TOR

[jayveedee]

Oooopppsss.....American Airlines---John

[scotty100368]

Early built MDs had the original conical tail but were retrofitted with the later flat tail as parts and heavy maintenance came due. Later built MDs had them factory fitted.
There was no set regimen to their adoption.

N443AA taken in Aug. '89 with the later tail: http://www.airliners.net/photo/American-Airlines/McDonnell-Douglas-MD-82-DC-9-82/622427/L

N412AA taken in Sep. '89 still with the early tail: http://www.airliners.net/photo/American-Airlines/McDonnell-Douglas-MD-82-DC-9-82/614761/L

Unless you know the particular airframe and have a photo taken at a specific time, you might as well flip a coin!

[jayveedee]

Thanks for the pictures, I modeled this plane years ago using the conical tail, I
guess I'll leave it with the screw driver tail this time. I had a picture once but
not even sure where it is, think it showed the front of the plane where we boarded
up the"steps" in Albany NY back in the dark ages.---John