After 50+ years of being out of touch with model building, I am jumping back in with this model. It’s the 50th Anniversary Edition, #3704.
I built the first issue back in the early 70’s as a preteen and it turned out pretty good. I cannot remember what happened to it.
As most of you know, this kit has a lot of issues to correct to make it a more accurate representation of the actual operational vehicle. I am in the process of figuring out how far I want to take it.
Many of the flaws, when corrected, will only be known to me or will be hidden from view when the rocket is displayed. First of all, the paint scheme to represent the vehicles that flew is a mandatory change.
Second, the CM needs to be reconfigured to the actual launch configuration and the SM modified to the block II design.
That said, I noticed all the aftermarket parts, such as the Boost Protective Cover, are all slightly different. One noticeable item is the window(s). The best I came up with is that at least with Apollo 11 there was only one window for the commander. I saw another reference saying that Apollo 7 had one on the hatch and maybe also on the commander’s side. Another source says that all manned Saturns had the same, one window configuration.
With so many variations out there, I am thinking of just painting the dang thing white and call it good. I can still modify the SM with the photo etched parts to represent the correct radiator design. Again, I might just paint the existing ones white. As I said, I will be the only one that knows. But, there is a certain satisfaction if I do all the necessary mods to make all right!
Thoughts?