Anybody know of any diecast space shuttle models?

[iphonedyou]

Hello all,

My dad is a massive fan of NASA's space programme, and I'm thinking of buying him a diecast space shuttle model for Christmas. Budget is around £60 - I realise you can pay hundreds, if not thousands! I'd like a good quality one, if possible. I've seen Dragon Models, but I'm not sure whether they're any good?

RC is really my domain, I don't know a lot about diecast.

Thanks for any help

[Big Fat Fatty]

If only the budget was (quite) a bit bigger, you could have one of these
http://www.spacetoys.com/proddetail.php?prod=space...

Yes, that says 3.5 million dollars for a full size replica in any of the originals configuration but doesn't include an interior, or shipping, or setting up

I quite like this one, but it's a model kit that will need painting and assembling
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-Bo...

Does the scale matter?

http://www.silentthundermodels.com/nasa_space_mode...
An american site and priced at $89 plus shipping, just over the £60 budget and a nice looking model as well

Edited by Big Fat Fatty on Thursday 8th December 13:01

[iphonedyou]

Big Fat Fatty said:

If only the budget was (quite) a bit bigger, you could have one of these
http://www.spacetoys.com/proddetail.php?prod=space...

Yes, that says 3.5 million dollars for a full size replica in any of the originals configuration but doesn't include an interior, or shipping, or setting up

I quite like this one, but it's a model kit that will need painting and assembling
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Space-Shuttle-Discovery-Bo...

Does the scale matter?

http://www.silentthundermodels.com/nasa_space_mode...
An american site and priced at $89 plus shipping, just over the £60 budget and a nice looking model as well

Edited by Big Fat Fatty on Thursday 8th December 13:01

Thanks for the reply Fatty!

That replica is amazing! Can't quite believe it even exists, actually. A bargain at twice the price hehe! Thanks for those links, the second one looks like it could be a goer, although ideally I'm looking for diecast.

Hmmm!

[Big Fat Fatty]

No problem mate, I'm a big fan of the whole space program as well and I've also been hankering after a Shuttle model,

With Diecasts there are a couple of different types, you've got the highly detailed display models that cost a fortune and the toys for kids that are only a few quid and it's difficult to find anything in between

[TheEnd]

There was one years ago, with an opening door thingy on the back.
Probably worth a fortune to collectors though.

[iphonedyou]

Big Fat Fatty said:

No problem mate, I'm a big fan of the whole space program as well and I've also been hankering after a Shuttle model,

With Diecasts there are a couple of different types, you've got the highly detailed display models that cost a fortune and the toys for kids that are only a few quid and it's difficult to find anything in between

Very true. Maybe I'll look into books instead.

[Matt172]

american site, and slight over budget but some good ones on here

http://www.silentthundermodels.com/desktopspace.ht...

[Big Fat Fatty]

Sorry mate I didn't mean to put you off

I think if your Dad really wants a model of the Shuttle, he'd be up for the challenge of making one himself. Get him a plastic model kit and see what he thinks (they come in bigger scale, cheaper and generally look better than diecast Imo)

Edited by Big Fat Fatty on Thursday 8th December 14:53

[Highrisedrifter]

TheEnd said:

There was one years ago, with an opening door thingy on the back.
Probably worth a fortune to collectors though.

That might have been the Moonraker one. I have that somewhere, still boxed too.

[Simpo Two]

It's not a Shuttle but this is interesting: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Revell-04829-Apollo-Spacec...

[Eric Mc]

I built my own -

[TheEnd]

Highrisedrifter said:

TheEnd said:

There was one years ago, with an opening door thingy on the back.
Probably worth a fortune to collectors though.

That might have been the Moonraker one. I have that somewhere, still boxed too.

Looking around, it did seem to match the moonraker one, same scale etc, but I'm fairly sure it was in white and black NASA colours.
It could well have been the same toy made before or after the Bond film,.

[dr_gn]

I've got three diecast shuttles from years ago:

A Corgi "Moonraker" version with, IIRC a red and gold satellite payload.

A Corgi Junior version which is tiny and has opening bay doors.

ETA again IIRC, both these had retractable landing gear operated by a slider.

A Dinky Toys one which comes with spring loaded detachable SRB's and detachable main fuel tank, plus a payload of - I think - some kind of ESA lab.

None of them are fantastic, but the Dinky one is mildly amusing.

ET also A found some pics:

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 9th December 19:41

[chris watton]

Eric Mc said:

I built my own -

Eric, that's fantastic!

[Eric Mc]

Thanks.

Probably one of the most difficult builds I have ever attempted - especially the decalling.

It's the Minicraft kit (1/144).

[MillenniumFalcon]

I've not got any of the aerospace stuff, but I have some Dragon 1/72 diecast aircraft - the're very detailed/ and accurate, and certainly not toys.

Just for reference, I think the shuttles are 1/400 scale, so the orbiter works out around 4" long. You can get them orbiter only, with booster rockets and tank, and i'm sure i've seen one in transport/test mode on a 747.

[iphonedyou]

Hey all, thanks so much for the advice, especially those of you taking the time to post pictures! Eric... Stunning! Very impressed.

I ended up buying a 1/144 kit on the advice here that perhaps a kit is a good alternative. And an airbrush kit.

Thanks all!

[Eric Mc]

iphonedyou said:

Hey all, thanks so much for the advice, especially those of you taking the time to post pictures! Eric... Stunning! Very impressed.

I ended up buying a 1/144 kit on the advice here that perhaps a kit is a good alternative. And an airbrush kit.

Thanks all!

Which kit did you buy?

[iphonedyou]

Eric Mc said:

Which kit did you buy?

It's a Revell one. I wanted a kit with the SRBs and fuel tank, and it seemed to fit the bill

[Eric Mc]

Not a bad kit - I built one way back in 1981. The launch pad that comes in the box is way too small though.