Model Forum / General / Models / August 2006

<> Mercury Redstone:
Revel had a kit of the Mercury and Gemini Capsules inn1/48th scale that was
released from time to time. Original kit goes back to the 60s. Re-release as
history makers, and other series.

Revell had a 1/92nd of the redstone with pioneer satellite plus workstand.

Revell also had an Atlas and launch stand that they re-released a junior
astronauts version with the mercury capsule.

Revell had the Gemini Capsule mentioned above and a larger one - 1/24th if I
remember right - raeally nice kit - again it was released multiple times and
if memory serves was originall released in 1967.

1/96th just re-released by Revell. Squadron is sdvertising as pre-sell. Goes
back to late 60s. The main stages are made of flat painted sections you form
into cylinders. Main drawback is it has the Blcok I command and service
Module with a Lunar Module in the SLA. You can buy several upgrades to this.
I don't remember the manufacture's but a web serarch should find them. New
main Engines with thermal wrap, Block II Command Module Update, Saturn V
details.

Monogram Kit 1/72. Theres was also a launch tower released some years ago.

Originally Monogram - Tranquility Base - 1/48th again re-released from time
to time by Revell

1/48 mentioned above and new really detailed 1/12th by Atomic City /MRC -
should still be available - also detail kit from another manufacturer.

see above

Large Monogram kit - re-released by Revell. Had stick on detailed instrument
panel and clear section - Good after market stuff - detailed hatch and
raised detail instrument panel etc.

There's also some resin stuff out there - do a web search.

It would be reallly great if Revell re-released some of the space items
again - especially those that never saw re-release like th XSL and manned
space station kits from the 50s. From time to time someone starts a write in
(email) campaign but it never amount to anything. With the new interest in
going back to the moon and Mars one would hope renewed interest might make
this happen.

                   Hope this helps,

                                                           Val Kraut

Estes has a nice flying model in or around 1/35 scale. Looks good and
can be had for about 25 dollars.

Realspace models

Revell's lousy 1/96 is being re-released as others have said. Try
http://www.ricksternbach.com for tips on improving and/or
scratchbuilding your own. Also there is a paper 1/96 Sat V available on
the web for free that could be used as a basis for a scratchbuilt
Saturn.

Aifix ( 1/144 stack), Revell ( 1/144 full stack and orbiter only),
Minicraft(1/144 full stack), Monogram ( 1/72 Orbiter and 1/72 full
stack), Tamiya (1/100 Orbiter), Hasegawa and Lindberg make them 1/200
scale.

AMT's Man in Space Collection was made in the mid 90's and had all
manned US boosters until the shuttle in a constant 1/200 scale. For
about 50 bills, a Hasegawa full stack shuttle and some aftermarket
decals from TangoPapa Decals, you'll a very impressive display. I've
got such a set up on my desk at work and it gets alot of  comments.

AIrfix 1/72 and Monogram 1/48

Revell 1/48

Revell 1/48 and 1/24 as others have said

IPI toys makes a very accurate Apollo and LEm which actually scales out
to 1/48. A little detail work and paint would give a very nice inflight
Apollo.

check out http:www.ninfinger.org  lots o' real space info there

Hope this helps,

Gene DiGennaro
Baltimore, Md

There are also paper models. Try http://www.delta7studios.com. They
have Mercury and Gemini capsules.

Thanks, everyone, for all the replies.  I'm going to check into each
suggestion.

First, I'll agree 200% with Jessie C. RealSpaceModels.com
(http://www.realspacemodels.com/) has a fantastic selection in various
scales. Another excellent site is New Ware
(http://mek.kosmo.cz/newware/).

By scale (if you prefer a constant scale):

1/144 scale:
RealSpaceModels (RSM) offers the Mercury Redstone and Gemini Titan.
New Ware offers the Mercury Redstone.

Revellogram has released a Shuttle-only model as well as a Shuttle
with external tanks. Both are fairly inexpensive on eBay, The 1/144
Shuttle with tanks -even at 1/144- is a healthy puppy; just the
external tank is 12.5" long. :)

You can find the Revellogram Saturn V for not too much; in fact one
just went on sale starting at $9.95, with $15 shipping. If you like,
I'll email you the link, or post it here. Airfix offers a kit also.

The only 1/144 lunar module I've seen comes with the Revellogram kit.

1/72 scale:
Again, RSM offers the Mercury Redstone and Gemini Titan. The only near
scale for the Saturn V would be the Revell of Germany 1/96 mentioned
by a couple of others.

More Revellogram Shuttles in this scale, although the Shuttle with
external tanks is pretty rare, and usually goes for over $80 on eBay
when you do find it. Not to mention it's freaking HUGE. Considering
the size of the 1/144 tanks (2x12.5' = 25") and how the stack is
contructed, we're probably looking at least 30", from SRB bottom to ET
top. Yikes.

Airfix makes (or used to) a nice 1/72 Lunar Module. Have a couple on
the shelf over here.

1/48 scale
Garage company ATTIC makes kits for both the Mercury Redstone and the
Gemini Titan. Just google them. The Gemini Titan is a full kit, and
seems to sell for around $100 each, The Mercury Redstone requires a
Glencoe Jupiter C and a Revellogram Mercury capsule.

New Ware also offers a mod kit which requires the Glencoe Jupiter C
and Revell/Monogram Mercury.

Again, by scale:
1/72 scale
It should be no surprise that RSM offers these as well. In fact, it's
a single package which includes all three! The Gemini includes the
booster adapter and the Mercury includes the launch escape tower.
Currently going for $60 + shipping.

1/96
Revell released an Apollo/Soyuz kit. RSM offers a complete 1/96 CSM
replacement for the Revell of Germany Saturn V which is much better.

1/48 scale
The Revellogram Mercury and Gemini combo shows up neary every week on
eBay, and maybe once a month for some version of the "Apollo Lunar
Spacecraft." This included the CSM, Lunar Module, and the S-IVb bay
which housed the LM. Considering the going price of this puppy, you'd
probably be better off with the newer RSM offering. While this is
"only" the CSM, the detail and accuracy are outstanding. The RSM CSM
(heh) currently runs $75 + shipping.

1/32
Monogram CSM. Beautiful model (believe it or not, I have four in the
closet) and they show up frequently on eBay. Interior of the command
module is very sparse, as the instrument panels are all flat surfaces
covered with cheesy decals; the only weak point of this kit. But RSM
and New Ware have excellent upgrades for this. I think someone already
mentioned, both the command and service modules include clear panels,

1/24 scale
The now-classic Revell Gemini.

1/12 scale
Atomic City Mercury capsule with full launch tower and retro-pack. My
local  Hobby Lobby has this on the shelf for about $60.

Please note that all Revellogram Apollo capsules (except the 1/32 CSM)
seem to be Block 1, not Block 2 versions. RSM comes to the rescue with
accurate replacements. for the 1/144 and 1/96 (again, the 1/96 would
make an acceptable stand-alone model) Saturn V.

Both the 1/48 and 1/24 Gemini display certain inaccuracies as they
were designed from an older "boilerplate" mockup. Both RSM and New
Ware offer accurizing kits.

Just about all the Revell/Monogram stuff shows up on eBay nearly every
week. The exceptions would be the 1/72 Shuttle with external tank and
boosters, and the 1/48 Apollo craft.

I have two of the 1/144 Saturn V's, and the CSM is pretty cheesy. Not
only is it Block 1, it's not even in scale. The above-mentioned RSM
accurate part is only $25, and very necessary for this kit.

Depending on your more specific goals, you go very far with just the
1/72 stuff, but then I tend to prefer constant scale within a
collection when I can.