The Boeing 737 is the most ordered and most produced jet airliner in history with over 6,000 manufactured and a further 2,000 on order in May 2009. On average there are 1,250 737s in the air at any given time.

In 1979 Boeing began development of a new and better version of the 737, the 737-300.

Improvements included a new wing, flight deck upgrades and CFM56 turbofan engines mounted ahead of the wing. The fuselage remained basically the same but was stretched to increase passenger accommodation.

It was launched in 1981, the first 737-300 flew on 24 February 1984 and 1113 were made in a production run that lasted until December 1999.

Boeing later named this and two subsequent versions the ‘737 Classic’.

This model represents VH-CZJ which flew with Ansett from December 1986 until the airline ceased flying in September 2001.

Data: Short to medium range airliner. Engines two CFM International 56-3B-2 engines of 98kN max thrust. Wing span 28.88m. Length 33.40m. Maximum take-off weight 63,277kg. Cruising speed 780km/h. Maximum range 4010km. Typical single class seating for 149 passengers.

Minicraft and Revell 1/144 kits with Hawkeye decals.