Help for a "I know nothing about airliners" kinda guy

Thanks for the add'l info b17.

oh and www.airliners.net is nothing but a photo database of airliner pics. You can serach for aircraft type (even sub types like 737-700, or 737-800), airline or tail number

check www.airline-hobby.com/.../index.cfm  

They also have the correct color paint for the Southwest jets. There is also a Contrails -700 fuselodge available over at airline-hobby and winglets

Hi Steve.  hey thanks for that.  Looking at the position of the blue/red transition just about centered on the top of the hatch I think you are correct.  Since I can't find decals for the blue top schemes.. unless I am not looking in the right places... this may be the way to go.

wing_nut,   I believe you were on "Colorado One"  http://www.swamedia.com/releases/7f0ce64e-0b6c-4ba6-b640-5d8eb9942a61?search=colorado+one which is latest of several state flagged ships in the fleet.

It is unique in its own right -should you decide on doing a "two-fer"

reguardless have fun!  I will be glad to watch

I think Welsh models has a Vac formed -700 in a few scales

Thanks for the responses guys.  

Is the -800 cut down a better kit that the -700?

Draw Decals is one company that makes aftermarket decals and caters to the airliner modelers.  

Hanging out at a commercial airport can give you a lot of info on the appearance of commercial planes, though picture taking depends a lot on the setup and security procedures at individual airports.  At least you can generally see a wider assortment of planes at most commercial airports than visiting an AFB.

Revell makes a good 1/144 -800 that you can cut down into a -700 and Hasegawa makes a good -700 in 1/200 scale.  Just remember to get the winglets since all of Southwest's next gens have 'em.