Airfix 1/144 Saturn V
Discussion
The did indeed. I actually built my first one of those back in 1970 (very badly). I made another much better one in 1979 and currently have two unbuilt ones in my stash for future projects.
The kit was originally released in 1970 with inaccurate colour scheme instructions. The model was based on the publicity material and mock up photos released by NASA and Grumman from around 1966 onwards (when the LM design was more or less finalised). They were always shown as black and white machines. In reality, they were a combination of aluminium, black panelling and gold covered mylar.
The kit was re-issued in 2009/10 this time in a much bigger box and with correct colour instructions and decals to depict the model as Apollo 11's "Eagle".
The kit has a number of inaccuracies. The front shape of the ascent stage is a bit two rounded but it's not that obvious. There is a metal support strut on the front of the ascent stage on the real LM that is represented by a triangle of plastic on the kit. That needs to be removed and replaced.
The main problem is that the thrust deflectors which, on the real thing, were attached to the descent stage on a set of then metal struts, are actually moulded into the downward pointing attitude thrusters of the ascent stage. This needs rectification.
Finally, around 1971, Airfix released an HO/OO set of Astronaut Figures (moulded in bendy polythene plastic rather than polystyrene). In the 2009 LM re-relaese, this set is included. The nice thing about the figure set is that you get some additional experiments and a Lunar Rover.
This is the original 1970 box and artwork.
This is the newer release - which should be readilly obtainable -
This is the original boxing of the astronaut set - which, as I said, is included in the current LM release.
The kit was originally released in 1970 with inaccurate colour scheme instructions. The model was based on the publicity material and mock up photos released by NASA and Grumman from around 1966 onwards (when the LM design was more or less finalised). They were always shown as black and white machines. In reality, they were a combination of aluminium, black panelling and gold covered mylar.
The kit was re-issued in 2009/10 this time in a much bigger box and with correct colour instructions and decals to depict the model as Apollo 11's "Eagle".
The kit has a number of inaccuracies. The front shape of the ascent stage is a bit two rounded but it's not that obvious. There is a metal support strut on the front of the ascent stage on the real LM that is represented by a triangle of plastic on the kit. That needs to be removed and replaced.
The main problem is that the thrust deflectors which, on the real thing, were attached to the descent stage on a set of then metal struts, are actually moulded into the downward pointing attitude thrusters of the ascent stage. This needs rectification.
Finally, around 1971, Airfix released an HO/OO set of Astronaut Figures (moulded in bendy polythene plastic rather than polystyrene). In the 2009 LM re-relaese, this set is included. The nice thing about the figure set is that you get some additional experiments and a Lunar Rover.
This is the original 1970 box and artwork.
This is the newer release - which should be readilly obtainable -
This is the original boxing of the astronaut set - which, as I said, is included in the current LM release.
As I said, the kit was based on the publicity images and mock up photos that had been released over the previous few years.
Here is typical NASA/Grumman image from about 1968 -
And a nice array of models depicting some of the evolutionary stages of the design. Airfix would have started designing their model probably when the 3rd version in this line up was being depicted in progress reports etc -
Here is typical NASA/Grumman image from about 1968 -
And a nice array of models depicting some of the evolutionary stages of the design. Airfix would have started designing their model probably when the 3rd version in this line up was being depicted in progress reports etc -
Edited by Eric Mc on Monday 9th March 10:25
swisstoni said:
I remember building the original Airfix Lunar Module (as always, badly) and being a bit dismayed by later photos showing the thing partially clad in gold 'foil' of which there was no mention in the kit.
I had it bought for christmas but my mum ended up making it, it was beyond my 5 year old capabilities.I seem to remember that the gold foil from Rolo sweets makes an excellent Mylar substitute.
For the engineering types among you (I suspect that's probably most of us) there's a nice NASA archive of LEM related documentation:
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/alsj-LMdocs.html
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/LMNewsRef-Boothman.ht...
For the engineering types among you (I suspect that's probably most of us) there's a nice NASA archive of LEM related documentation:
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/alsj-LMdocs.html
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/LMNewsRef-Boothman.ht...
Back to the Saturn V
Painting now completed and ready for decal application. I've left off some of the final fragile items, such as the Launch Escape Tower until after all the decals have been applied.
I gave up on the idea of batting the F1 engines as the wrapping with foil did not really convey the right look.
Should be completed by the weekend.
Painting now completed and ready for decal application. I've left off some of the final fragile items, such as the Launch Escape Tower until after all the decals have been applied.
I gave up on the idea of batting the F1 engines as the wrapping with foil did not really convey the right look.
Should be completed by the weekend.
Eric Mc said:
Finally finished.
With the exception of the Jupiter C (which is about 1/120 scale), all the other models are in 1/144 - so the size comparisons are genuine. It really shows how big the Saturn V was.
Well done on completing the project.With the exception of the Jupiter C (which is about 1/120 scale), all the other models are in 1/144 - so the size comparisons are genuine. It really shows how big the Saturn V was.
I went to the National Space Centre near Leicester several years ago. A bit noisy with all the kids' edutainment consoles, but the sticky memory was looking at our 'big' rocket (three floors tall) and being told it would have fitted as a cross-member in the Saturn V.
I built that exact model back in the early 70's when I was around 10. It had pride of place on a desk in my bedroom.
I used to suffer from terrible migraines back then, and during one particularly bad attack I started hallucinating. It got so bad that the Saturn V actually took off and started to fly around my bedroom (I never realised how manoeuvrable that thing was
)
Best trip I ever had
I used to suffer from terrible migraines back then, and during one particularly bad attack I started hallucinating. It got so bad that the Saturn V actually took off and started to fly around my bedroom (I never realised how manoeuvrable that thing was
)Best trip I ever had
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