NEW FOR 2012 - ‘MAN IN SPACE’ ROCKET FAMILY FROM AMT

Mat Irvine reports:

AMT originally became the best-known producer of model car kits, but in the mid-1960s, the company was also known for issuing the first Star Trek kits. And, as an adjunct to the science-fiction, AMT also moved to science fact, producing the first - and to date the only - kit of all five US manned space launchers prior to the Space Shuttle. And now, here they are back again.

Small scale

In chronological order, the first five launchers were the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Gemini-Titan II, Saturn 1B and Saturn V. Although the 1:200 scale chosen by AMT was smaller than the classic 1:144 Saturn kits from Airfix and Monogram, AMT made up for this in the first issue with a spectacular cardboard diorama setting that not only featured the sweep of the Kennedy Space Center, but also the launch tower assembly for the Saturn V.

AMT Pro Shop range

First released in 1969, the kit was reissued in 1999 in AMT’s short-lived Pro Shop range, but was missing one vital element - that excellent card diorama was not included. Instead, the five rockets sat on a fairly bland rectangular moulding that had started life as the base for AMT model car display cases!

Stronger box

But now space modellers can breath a sigh of relief, as Round 2 LLC - AMT’s new owner - has reissued the kit as it was way back in 1969, and in some ways, it’s even better than the original. For a start, the box is a lot stronger, and there is a printed sheet for the base, which gives more details. The decals have been improved, and of course the splendid card diorama has returned - and even seems to have been printed on slightly heavier card stock. 

Service Module error

One slight problem for purists is that the two Saturn rockets still have incorrect Apollo Service Modules, depicting the unmanned Block I version. However, this has been a problem with all kits of the Saturn V, and still remains with most, although Airfix recently updated its kit correctly. But in 1:200 scale the markings are not that noticeable, and you can always paint on the correct pattern.

Summation

Overall you get almost 150 parts, moulded in white, and when assembled, the whole structure approaches a height of some 500 mm (20 in). This is an excellent return of the original that’s even better than before.

Thanks to Tony James at Comet Miniatures for the sample kit.

AMT sci-fi stuff here.

AIRFIX SATURN 1B JOINS THE 'RETURN OF THE ROCKETS'

Mat Irvine reports:

Airfix plans to have reissued all its original 1:144 scale rocketry series by the end of 2011. The Apollo Saturn V and Vostok kits have already been released, as has the modified Skylab Saturn V. 

Saturn 1B redux

Meanwhile the last of the original launchers - the Saturn 1B - has been reissued recently, and this one is likely the most welcome for collectors, as it was last available way back, in 1991.

The new runner was first made for the Apollo Saturn V.

What's new?

The new Airfix Saturn 1B has the benefit of the updated Apollo section that was retooled for the recent Apollo Saturn V kit. In the 1B’s box is a runner for this item, plus a new version of the original rectangular base. The components not required any more have been removed from the tooling. There's also new box-art by Mike Trim, the illustrator who has also been responsible for the other rocket reissues.

Finished Airfix Saturn IB, standing on new base and nameplate decal.

Italian connection with Cartograf

There are also updated plans, and an updated decal sheet that includes some new markings, and - as with all Airfix kits - it is manufactured by Cartograf of Italy, which makes a  vastly superior decal set, compared with the original sheet.

Space Shuttle to come

The only Airfix item yet to appear is the Space Shuttle, and this is due later this year, complete with a new box, updated plans, and fresh decals.