Need some advice...

Depends on what scale you're talking about.  I think the best lander out there right now is the Monogram re-release of the Lunar Module. It's in 1/48 scale.  To have a matching CSM you've got to go resin unfortunately.  If you could find the old Monogram Apollo Spacecraft in 1/48 scale you get the SLA, LM, CSM, and LES all in one package but if I recall that CSM is a Block I and not the Block II.  They didn't rerelease this kit so you're stuck with shows or Evilbay.

In 1/32 you can get an excellent CSM that Monogram has rereleased (see nearby thread for the one I'm building.)  But in 1/32 you've got to go with resin model for a matching LM.

I'm not familiar with the rest of the stuff out there but you an get the 1/96 scale set however it's also Block I with a less than accurate LM.

I hope this helps a little

 

 

What about this Tamiya release in 1/70th:

...or this Aoshima in 48th:

or this one from Aoshima in 1/96th:

Whats this? DITCY Part 3- Mission Moon??

I don't know if you're a space modeler or just doing one for the moon landing anniversary- so take this as you will. As (possibly?) a fellow nonspace modeler- I know I’d go for the Tamiya kit right off the bat, because even if it’s not 100% accurate, I’d know what to expect from the kit in terms of fit and ease of instruction etc. Some parts may be a bit oversized and some might be missing completely due to their smaller size- but from what I can tell via box art- it’s got everything you’re looking for. I’m sure you could detail it with foil and copper wire- and if you’re ok with the smaller 1/70 scale size I’d say that’s your best bet.

I only say this because if it were ME doing it- I wouldn’t put too much research into making sure all the wires and tubes and ladders and handrails were on right, I’d do it mostly OOB and would take Tamiya’s word for accuracy. So disregard my 2 cents comment if you’re looking to do a very accurate, super detailed build- as Tamiya IMO has had a tendency to chunk up some smaller parts and simplify their kits (at least in the past- I don’t have any of their newer stuff).

Really I’m just curious if your moon dio is going to have a dead German casualty!
ok sorry- that's it I promise.

psstoff995 wrote:

Whats this? DITCY Part 3- Mission Moon?? I don't know if you're a space modeler or just doing one for the moon landing anniversary- so take this as you will. As (possibly?) a fellow nonspace modeler- I know I’d go for the Tamiya kit right off the bat, because even if it’s not 100% accurate, I’d know what to expect from the kit in terms of fit and ease of instruction etc. Some parts may be a bit oversized and some might be missing completely due to their smaller size- but from what I can tell via box art- it’s got everything you’re looking for. I’m sure you could detail it with foil and copper wire- and if you’re ok with the smaller 1/70 scale size I’d say that’s your best bet. I only say this because if it were ME doing it- I wouldn’t put too much research into making sure all the wires and tubes and ladders and handrails were on right, I’d do it mostly OOB and would take Tamiya’s word for accuracy. So disregard my 2 cents comment if you’re looking to do a very accurate, super detailed build- as Tamiya IMO has had a tendency to chunk up some smaller parts and simplify their kits (at least in the past- I don’t have any of their newer stuff). Really I’m just curious if your moon dio is going to have a dead German casualty! ok sorry- that's it I promise.

LMAO...actually you nailed it; just a side-project to do w/o having to worry too much about the finished product. I always thought the LEM/lander/etc looked cool and thought I might throw one together...seems like there are a lot of different options, many of which have dio bases. I was surprised to see the Aoshima and Tamiya offerings, although I believee the Tamiys one is actually an MRC mold.

No German casualty, but there will be a dead cow on the moon... 

I seem to recall reading somewhere recently that the recently re-released Tamiya setup dates from about 1969. So, a 40 yo kit for the 40th anniversary... appropriate perhaps? (j/k)

There's also the venerable old Airfix LEM at about 1/72-ish. Long OOP but you may find one floating around (in orbit perhaps?)

Mansteins revenge wrote:

No German casualty, but there will be a dead cow on the moon...

....and a dish running away with a spoon??

I just got the Tamiya kit. It's a block I so it's not accurate for one of the actual moon vehicles and at 1/70th scale there aren't any AM bits available. Interestingly, the kit has a supplement to the instruction sheet that says to ignore the parts for the motorized version of the kit. Evidently they had a motorized prop poking out the SM main engine nozzle and you could hang the CM and SM assembly by the included string and it would fly in a circle!

Any info on the Aoshima offerings???

The Aoshima is based on prototypes too.

Having built two within the last year and going just about GA-Ga over Lunar Modules, the Monogram kit is by far the best. It is accurate to the flight versions, the fit is excellent, and with the exception of the RCS nozzles, is just about perfect.

However, assembling the plastic is only the beginning. None of the plastic surface will be seen once the model is completed. Every square mm will need to be covered with foil, not just the lower stage.

Being a craft that only operated in space, the outer panels were a very thin sheets of aluminum. So thin, that household aluminum foil is at the correct scale. Plus it wrinkled. It wasn't smooth and flat.

You are in very good shape for research.

www.spaceinminiature.com/index.html Is a good start.

www.apolloarchive.com/apollo_gallery.html Has high res free download images from all the missions.

mek.kosmo.cz/newware/ Has a resin and PE set to die for for this kit. There are several US dealers that sell it too.


home.earthlink.net/~pfjeld/lmdata/ This site is a big help keeping track of the differences between each machine. None were alike in details.

Then scroll back a page or two and you can see both my attempts at a model of the LM.

If you really want to go nuts with it, check out Pete Mallagoodee's cutaway made from the Monogram kit.

I'll be happy to help you over any bumps, if you need it.

Enjoy it. Its different.

Mike

haha very cool Manny, sounds like a fun project to take a break on the side. But yeah if that Tamiya kit is just an older rerelease, it doesn't sound worth the bumped up price tag they probably threw on there. I had thought it was a newer kit that they engineered from the ground up. Good luck finding one you'll enjoy putting together- glad I now know where that dead cow is really going to go

I thought the Aoshima stuff were toys and not models.  But now that MRC is hawking them I'm not sure what the deal is.  Any info??  Is there 1/96 offering also Block I??