The story
The MD-87 is the shortest member of the MD-80 family: 17 ft 4 in shorter than its siblings, with the same engines, systems and cockpit and seats for up to 139. Only 75 were built between 1987 and 1992, for airlines like Austrian, SAS and Iberia. Several have gone on to a second career as firefighting air tankers.
Converted MD-87 air tankers carry up to 4,000 US gallons of fire retardant, and the FAA requires them to drop it with the landing gear down.
Quick answers
How do you identify a MD-87?
Same T-tail and rear engines as an MD-80, but visibly shorter and stubbier, with a taller fin that extends above the tailplane. Firefighting MD-87s carry a long tank under the belly.
What does a MD-87 sound like?
Same loud JT8D as the MD-80 — raw and unmistakable.
How fast is the MD-87?
Top speed is 470 kts (Mach 0.80 cruise).
How many passengers does the MD-87 carry?
Up to 139. A typical layout is 114 (2-class), 130 (1-class).
How far can the MD-87 fly?
Range is about 2,370 nmi (2,900 with auxiliary tanks).
How big is the MD-87?
It is 130 ft 5 in long and 107 ft 8 in across the wings.
When did the MD-87 first fly?
Its first flight was in 1986.
How many MD-87s have been built?
75 built.
How rare is a MD-87 in Bogey?
COMMON. Everyday traffic. You will catch plenty of these, and every first catch still counts. Your first MD-87 catch is worth 25 points.
