Hi, has anyone ever assembled the Revell 1/48 Apollo Lunar Spacecraft Product ID: 85-5090? I have an opportunity to obtain this kit and wanted to know if it is worth purchasing. I just purchased the Lunar Landing kit and thought this Lunar Spacecraft might be nice to build also.
Let me know your thoughts if anyone knows anything about this kit.
Thanks, Mark
I’m building it right now. I think it’s a great kit that will make an impressive display. I really like that it can be used to demonstrate all phases of the mission, especially those after TLI (trans-lunar injection) - just like Walter Cronkite used to show on TV.
The downside is it’s based on the Block I Apollo, which was never flown as a manned flight. If you want to build a Block II Apollo, detail kits are available from New Ware. However, you’ll need to fabricate your own BPC (boost protective cover).
The LEM isn’t really accurate, either. Might be better off buying a later Revell LEM and using that LEM with this kit. If you want to super-detail the LEM, New Ware has kits for that too.
Chris
The later Revell 1/48 LM is not much better. You’ll be a lot better off using the 1/48 Monogram LM instead.
In other words it boils down to how much extra $$$ you want to spend to bring it to an accuracy level only you will ever notice. Nothing wrong that but I’m just sayin…
I plan on updating my kit but I think it is quite a nice kit even with no updates. It’s not as if it’s not a real Apollo or something. It’s just a Block 1, which was actually flown but with no astronauts, if I understand it correctly
Chris
Thanks for the information so far.
The picture of this kit from the Revell link is a bit confusing.
Can this kit be assembled and displayed WITHOUT the S-IVB Second stage and the launch escape system? Just the LM and CSM displayed on its own? any thoughts?
The kit includes a base with craters for the LEM that’s the exact same size as the base shown in the picture you have. You’d have to make something for the CSM or stand it on its tail cone…
But the beauty of the Revell kit (in my opinion) is that it includes the stuff you plan on leaving out. If you aren’t going to use that stuff, there’s better, more accurate kits out there such as the Dragon kits.
Chris
Very Cool, thanks for all the feedback. I think I might go ahead and buy it.
Have a Great Weekend
Mark
I built this kit when I was a kid and still display it. It is a beautiful kit but the detail is all incorrect. I enhanced the detail myself without any aftermarket products. I relied primarily on black construction paper which was sealed and painted for blast deflectors on the LM (back then it was still the LEM), large paper clips for the frames, gold foil from chocolate bars for insulation, and thin copper wire for the antennas. It still looks great. The Apollo was more difficult to correct to a Block II config. One of the primary changes is the color and location of the heat radiators. You can sand down the existing radiators and make new ones with glue and baking soda but it will take a while.
The other option, is to build it in the block I config and use is as a display and educational tool. If you look at the early newscasts, that is exactly what they used. Many of them even used the Revell model. 2 choices, both of them good.
Good luck with the kit, it is a good one!
Buck
I think the last time this was released was in 1994. It had become one of the rarest models out there. It was my second favorite Apollo kit [next to the the 1/96 Saturn V]. Yes, it’s a block I - but it’s a very cool kit. If you want to dump in a few extra bucks, you can get the upgrades to the CSM and LM from New Ware. The only thing missing will be the correct umbilical for the Block II CSM. I’m glad to see it FINALLY back on the market. Would have preferred it without the Buzz Aldrin Rocket Hero logo plastered all over it, but that’s just the box. A fun kit that you can detail to your hearts delight. They waited a LONG time to reissue this one - and they did so at a very reasonable price. It will even bring by arthritic hands out of retirement just so I can give it one more whack. It’s very impressive when stacked. However, with the New Ware upgrades, you’ll have a fine model. Just need that ONE umbilical to make it perfect.