What Make& Model Space Shuttle (1/72) is Best?

This was a web site i got form someone else on the forum... it has all you could need to know about the layout of the shuttles. You can see the huge difference between what the Revell kit has and what the NASA diagrams show for the tile patterns (if you have the kit to look at).

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/sodb/

I'm sure there must be available somewhere online. Maybe Ray Marotta could help here (hint, Ray!)... There are drawings available in books though. Just looking at the Monogram kit will show you that there's something a bit fishy about the main windows. They just look too big comparing to pictures of the real vehicle. The tile pattern on the Revell kit is deffinitely overscale (and wrong). Both kits were designed even before the Shuttle ever took off for space, possibly based on the Enterprise vehicle. Look at the other posts here about the Space Shuttle, there are links about those tile decal sheets that are just coming out, some about pictures of all missions. Those will help you getting the best out of your model and your abilities.

QUOTE: Originally posted by djmodels1999 The Monogram kit (which I have) is very decent. The only 'major' problem is the size of the cockpit windows (oversized). ......... The Revell kit is decent too. The problem with that one is that it comes with a raised tile pattern that is way overscale and that needs to be sanded off.

1st - Thanks for your reply.

2nd - I have no doubt that your right, but how do you know that the windows are to large or the tiles are overscale. Is there a place I can download an exact diagram or blueprint of the Shuttle?

Thanks again.

Well, both available kits have good and bad points, and it is said that modelers who can afford both kits should do so in order to pick certain bits from one kit and others from the other kit to get the best of both world.

The Monogram kit (which I have) is very decent. The only 'major' problem is the size of the cockpit windows (oversized). It's got lots of bits for the cargo bay (which I tossed away, anyway, because they were a bit too crude for my liking. The Revell kit is decent too. The problem with that one is that it comes with a raised tile pattern that is way overscale and that needs to be sanded off.

Both kits can benefit from the now numerous aftermarket sets of parts and decals available: cargo bay update kit, new main engine exhaust cones, decals for tiles, old or new NASA markings, masks for painting the different types of white insulation materials,...