Space Shuttle Kits

Hi Rod,

There's a Revell 1/144 scale kit of the Shuttle with tank and boosters on the launch pad/crawler. The Orbiter is the old (late 70's?) vintage Shuttle orbiter with the ESA Spacelab in the cargo bay. The boosters and tank are a later addition (early/mid 80's I believe). This kit is currently available and is listed in the RoG catalogue. I believe this was at one time offered with the whole launch tower complex - this is not currently available

There was another similar kit by Airfix, which also had the boosters and tank. This kit has the ESA Spacelab module moulded integrally with the cargo bay. I'm not sure of the current availability of this kit though.

(I built the Revell orbiter kit and Airfix "stack" many years ago when they first came out, and I'm just going from memory here)

Arguably, the Airfix Orbiter had sharper detail, but I understand the boosters/tank on the Revell kit were better.

Trivia note: Airfix also released this kit in the markings of the "shuttles" appearing in the James Bond movie "Moonraker".  (This movie was released in 1979, so both the original Revell Orbiter kit and the Airfix "stack" kit pre-date this)

Monogram produced the Orbiter/Tank/Booster stack in 1/72. I'm not sure of availability of this one either.

Tamiya make the Shuttle Orbiter on its own in 1/100.

Academy make the "full stack" in 1/288 - I don't know anything about the quality of this kit though.

Turning to the Saturn V, I suspect you were looking at the Revell 1/96 scale offering, which is quite big. In 1/144, this has been offered by Airfix and Monogram. Each has it's particular quirks, and both date back to the 70's. Airfix is scheduled to reissue an upgraded version of it's offering this year, so stand by.

Rod,

Welcome to the world of real space modelling.  If you want to do a Shuttle, you need to decide on a scale as they came in scales from 1/288 to 1/72.  If you want to do 1/72, you're going to have to go to Ebay or vendor tables at local contests as the Revell and Monogram kits have been out of production for a while.  Aside from being big, they both have their faults and can be combined to produce an accurate Orbiter.  If you want to do 1/144, stick with either the Revell or Aifix offerings as the Minicraft has major shape problems.  The Revell kit is considered by most to have the best Orbiter, while Airfix is considered to have the best ET and SRB's.  If you don't want to shell out the bucks for both kits, either will make a good model.  In 1/100, there is Tamiya's Orbiter.  If space (pardon the pun) is a problem, then Hasegawa and Lindberg make a full stack in 1/200.  As with the offerings in the larger scales, both can be combined to make an accurate stack.  Then there are the 1/288 scale kits, which are desk top models.  Unfortunately, I don't have experience with all these kits, these are distillations of reviews found in the Space Shuttle volume of Mike Mackowski's Space in Miniature series, which I highly recommend getting  www.spaceinminiature.com   With regards to the Saturn V, Revell and Airfix make good kits, the main problem is the S-IVb of both.  Both have misproportioned CSM's.  Airfix is repopping their Saturn V, with a partially corrected CSM.  If building out of the box is not for you, detail parts can be found at www.realspacemodels.com and http://mek.kosmo.cz/newware/ .  If you want to go big with the Saturn V, the Revell Germany kit is the only way to go.  It stands about 4ft tall when done, but is accurate only if you want to build SA-500F, the facilities checkout vehicle.  New Ware models out of the Czech Republic and Real Space Models offer corrections for this kit.  Decals for the Saturn V can be found at www.spacemodelsystems.com   Besides this forum, there is a very active space modelers group over on yahoo groups, come on over we're a friendly bunch. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/space-modelers/

Phil and Buddy,

Thanks for your comments........really appreciated.  I am thinking that the 1/72 kit will be a little too large given that the 1/144 Airfix will build up to almost 13" high which would be perfect for my display space.  I have to decided whether I want a better orbiter (Revell) or a better set of booster rockets and tank (Airfix).  I would assume that both kits would build up fine OOTB if I am not overly concerned with exact details.

As for the Saturn V..........after seeing the original on display (wow....), I think I am going to pass......I have too many big kits waiting to be built now with little space to put them.  As much as I would like to have a rocket in my collection, I think it would be nice if built and displayed horizontally on a custom made base but giving up 4' of display shelf is killer for me.

Thanks for your comments...........now where is that coin so I can decide between Airfix and Revell

RODC

Hi Rod,

Coming back to the Saturn V, in 1/144 scale, it stands approximately 30 inches tall, with a footprint of perhaps 4 inches. All you need is a small space with a lot of headroom.

It appears that Revell has reissued the Monogram 1/144 kit too. http://www.revell.com/catalog/products/buzz_aldrin_rocket_hero.html