Repainters of AIA MD-80-Series Aircraft

AIA recently released their new model of the MD-80-Series aircraft. The designer chose to use two models to represent the series CO and SD. Most repainters have figured out which specific aircraft they are representing and have used the config file to specify which model the user should use. For example, if an airline if currently flying an MD-83 then the configuration indicates 83.However, some developers are using MD-80 as the aircraft type in their configuration files. This can cause confusion as to what aircraft their work represents because there is no such specific aircraft model designated as the MD-80 - at least not in commercial service.The following is an excerpt from McDonnell Douglas history of the MD-80-Series and describes how the numbering system of this aircraft series applies.The popular MD-80 series is a stretched and improved development of the McDonnell Douglas DC-9. The origins of the MD-80 lie in 1975 testing where a standard DC-9 was fitted with improved, more efficient, higher bypass ratio JT8D-200 series turbofans. MDC originally proposed fitting the new engines (which meet Stage 3 noise limits) to a development designated the DC-9-55, which would have featured two JT8D-209s and a 3.86m (12ft 8in) stretched fuselage over the 50. Instead MDC developed the DC-9 Super 80 (or DC-9-80), combining the new engines with a further stretched fuselage, increased span wing and other improvements. Launched in October 1977, the Super 80 first flew on October 18 1979.Certification for the initial Super 80 model, the 81, was granted in July 1981. The first customer delivery was to Swissair in September 1980. McDonnell Douglas renamed the DC-9-80 the MD-80 in 1983. The MD-80 designation however is a generic designation for the series and does not apply to a certain model type. The specific MD-80 models are the initial MD-81, the MD-82 with more powerful JT8D-217s, the extended range MD-83 with extra fuel and more efficient JT8D-219s, and the MD-88 (first flight August 1987) with the JT8D-219s of the MD-83 with an EFIS flightdeck and redesigned cabin interior, with other improvements. The shorter fuselage but longer range MD-87 is described separately under McDonnell Douglas.So, please, if you are painting MD-80-Series aircraft make sure you specify which MD-series aircraft you are representing with a particular airline. It will greatly help us poor users trying to figure out what aircraft designation you intended.Thanks so much.fb