MD-80's:Whats the Difference

parvezq · 04-06-2002, 10:31 AM

Looking at my DW Md-81(Swiss), Md-82 (AA) and Md-83 (TWA/AA) models, i cant tell any difference between the models.

are the moulds exactly the same? Is the difference only in the actual plane(s) specs?

maybe i need my eyes checked...

AlphaSigOU · 04-06-2002, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by parvezq
Looking at my DW Md-81(Swiss), Md-82 (AA) and Md-83 (TWA/AA) models, i cant tell any difference between the models.

are the moulds exactly the same? Is the difference only in the actual plane(s) specs?

The aircraft are identical in general arrangement; later MD-82s and MD-83s have the revised 'beaver tail' or 'screwdriver' tail cone. Incidentally, the FAA considers the MD-81 -82, -83 and -87 as a DC-9 series (DC-9-81, -82, -83 and -87), since they were introduced prior to the MD-XX designation change.

David Hingtgen · 04-06-2002, 05:57 PM

Plenty of MD-81's have the beaver-tail now. The only absolute rule is that ALL -87's and '88's have them.

Cadavre on a stick · 04-06-2002, 06:08 PM

I think the MD-88 was the first to be known as an "MD-88" rahter then a "DC-9-88", no? Anyone know why? Is it because the MD-88 is a totally different cockpit then the previous models?

What is the internal difference between an -81, -82, and -83? I know they're the same size and all, so does it have to do with fuel capacity?

ANTHONY F DUVA JR · 04-06-2002, 10:05 PM

I know that the flattened aft fuselage improves performance, but it just doesn't look right. The earlier DC-9 tail cone just looks appropriate. Was there not a problem with the traditional DC-9 tail cone at one point, around 1980?

Sentinel Chicken · 04-06-2002, 11:03 PM

To straighten out all the MD-80 variants, I think this is how they sort out:

MD-81 - Basic production model carrying 125 to 146 passengers with JT8D engines.
MD-82 - Model with increased power engines for better performance, carries 137-155 passengers. (More due to more powerful engines rather than a physical stretch).
MD-83 - Extended-range version with extra fuel tanks, more poweful engines, and strengthened landing gear.
MD-87 - Extended-range model with shortened fuselage carrying 105 to 130 passengers. Similar revised tailfin to what's on the 717.
MD-88 - Similar to MD-82 but with advanced EFIS cockpit displays and windshear warning system. Also has an revised tailfin similar to the MD-87/717 tailfins.
MD-90 - Further stretch of the MD-80 series, with a passenger capacity of 153-172 as well as all the improvements of the MD-88 and new V2500 engines in fatter nacelles. Comes in 2 flavors which differ in fuel capacity- the MD-90-30 and the MD-90-50. The MD-90-50 if I'm not mistaken was never built.

As far as the screwdriver tail cone (a drag reduction measure), that's been seen on the MD-81 to -83 alternatively with the original "pointy" tail cone. The screwdriver tail I believe is standard on the MD-87, MD-88, MD-90, and obviously the 717/MD-95.

JeffR · 04-06-2002, 11:14 PM

Long Beach in da house baby!

smoothjazz · 04-06-2002, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sentinel Chicken
To straighten out all the MD-80 variants, I think this is how they sort out:

MD-81 - Basic production model carrying 125 to 146 passengers with JT8D engines.
MD-82 - Model with increased power engines for better performance, carries 137-155 passengers. (More due to more powerful engines rather than a physical stretch).
MD-83 - Extended-range version with extra fuel tanks, more poweful engines, and strengthened landing gear.
MD-87 - Extended-range model with shortened fuselage carrying 105 to 130 passengers. Similar revised tailfin to what's on the 717.
MD-88 - Similar to MD-82 but with advanced EFIS cockpit displays and windshear warning system. Also has an revised tailfin similar to the MD-87/717 tailfins.
MD-90 - Further stretch of the MD-80 series, with a passenger capacity of 153-172 as well as all the improvements of the MD-88 and new V2500 engines in fatter nacelles. Comes in 2 flavors which differ in fuel capacity- the MD-90-30 and the MD-90-50. The MD-90-50 if I'm not mistaken was never built.

As far as the screwdriver tail cone (a drag reduction measure), that's been seen on the MD-81 to -83 alternatively with the original "pointy" tail cone. The screwdriver tail I believe is standard on the MD-87, MD-88, MD-90, and obviously the 717/MD-95.

Thanks Doc... Learn something everyday here...

N. Eberhard · 04-06-2002, 11:58 PM

2 more threads for 10 in a row at the top!

David Hingtgen · 04-07-2002, 01:14 AM

If anyone wants, I could about triple Sentinel Chicken's post, with lots of boring, pointless info details, like the exact weight/range/fuel changes between them, as well as the engine's thrust/temp/weight changes. (I've got plenty of info in my 2 main MD-80 books)

But the basic answer is still, unless you rip open the fuselage and engines to look for minor INTERNAL differences, you will never be able to tell 81/82/83/88 apart, even from only 5 feet away.

(The -87 is shorter, with the extended vertical fin, the -90 has the -87's tail on a body longer than the others, and HUGE engines, and we all know the -95/717)

David Hingtgen · 04-07-2002, 01:19 AM

Follow-up: anyone know of ANY external clues between them? I mean, if you're *REALLY* close you can tell a 767-200 from a 767-200ER by comparing the potable water tank access hatches, but you pretty much need to be a ramp worker to do that. I'd guess the -88's EFIS cockpit would need increased electrical power, and make something somewhere show up....

04-06-2002, 10:31 AM	#1
parvezq Master Collector Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Houston, Texas Age: 45 Posts: 749	MD-80's:Whats the Difference Looking at my DW Md-81(Swiss), Md-82 (AA) and Md-83 (TWA/AA) models, i cant tell any difference between the models. are the moulds exactly the same? Is the difference only in the actual plane(s) specs? maybe i need my eyes checked...

04-06-2002, 10:05 PM	#5
ANTHONY F DUVA JR ^~.. Maximum R & B ..~^ Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Land of a thousand dances Posts: 3,064	I know that the flattened aft fuselage improves performance, but it just doesn't look right. The earlier DC-9 tail cone just looks appropriate. Was there not a problem with the traditional DC-9 tail cone at one point, around 1980? __________________ FLY DUVA AIR's LUXURIOUS, DOUBLE-DECK BOEING "STRATO" CLIPPER !

04-06-2002, 11:03 PM	#6
Sentinel Chicken Go-Getters Go Ozark Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: DFW/THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS Posts: 4,167	To straighten out all the MD-80 variants, I think this is how they sort out: MD-81 - Basic production model carrying 125 to 146 passengers with JT8D engines. MD-82 - Model with increased power engines for better performance, carries 137-155 passengers. (More due to more powerful engines rather than a physical stretch). MD-83 - Extended-range version with extra fuel tanks, more poweful engines, and strengthened landing gear. MD-87 - Extended-range model with shortened fuselage carrying 105 to 130 passengers. Similar revised tailfin to what's on the 717. MD-88 - Similar to MD-82 but with advanced EFIS cockpit displays and windshear warning system. Also has an revised tailfin similar to the MD-87/717 tailfins. MD-90 - Further stretch of the MD-80 series, with a passenger capacity of 153-172 as well as all the improvements of the MD-88 and new V2500 engines in fatter nacelles. Comes in 2 flavors which differ in fuel capacity- the MD-90-30 and the MD-90-50. The MD-90-50 if I'm not mistaken was never built. As far as the screwdriver tail cone (a drag reduction measure), that's been seen on the MD-81 to -83 alternatively with the original "pointy" tail cone. The screwdriver tail I believe is standard on the MD-87, MD-88, MD-90, and obviously the 717/MD-95. __________________ *Piss on noise abatement!*

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04-06-2002, 05:57 PM	#3
David Hingtgen Complete Wacko! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,963	Plenty of MD-81's have the beaver-tail now. The only absolute rule is that ALL -87's and '88's have them.

04-06-2002, 06:08 PM	#4
Cadavre on a stick Master Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sin Jose, Ca. USA Posts: 632	I think the MD-88 was the first to be known as an "MD-88" rahter then a "DC-9-88", no? Anyone know why? Is it because the MD-88 is a totally different cockpit then the previous models? What is the internal difference between an -81, -82, and -83? I know they're the same size and all, so does it have to do with fuel capacity?

04-06-2002, 11:14 PM	#7
JeffR Master Collector Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 575	Long Beach in da house baby!

04-06-2002, 11:58 PM	#9
N. Eberhard Dr. Diecast I presume? Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 44 Posts: 3,436	2 more threads for 10 in a row at the top!

04-07-2002, 01:14 AM	#10
David Hingtgen Complete Wacko! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,963	If anyone wants, I could about triple Sentinel Chicken's post, with lots of boring, pointless info details, like the exact weight/range/fuel changes between them, as well as the engine's thrust/temp/weight changes. (I've got plenty of info in my 2 main MD-80 books) But the basic answer is still, unless you rip open the fuselage and engines to look for minor INTERNAL differences, you will never be able to tell 81/82/83/88 apart, even from only 5 feet away. (The -87 is shorter, with the extended vertical fin, the -90 has the -87's tail on a body longer than the others, and HUGE engines, and we all know the -95/717)

04-07-2002, 01:19 AM	#11
David Hingtgen Complete Wacko! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,963	Follow-up: anyone know of ANY external clues between them? I mean, if you're REALLY close you can tell a 767-200 from a 767-200ER by comparing the potable water tank access hatches, but you pretty much need to be a ramp worker to do that. I'd guess the -88's EFIS cockpit would need increased electrical power, and make something somewhere show up....