This model has been in circulation since before the actual Moon Landing in July 1969. The review kit is a reissue from 1994, and was acquired used on eBay in 2007 (so some parts might be missing). In preparing the reissued kit, Monogram did not make any upgrades or improvements to the old molds, so the kit is essentially a 1960’s-vintage injection molded kit.

The kit’s parts are molded in white and silver-gray styrene. The model can be built so that the individual stages can be separated, and the LEM can be removed from its stowed position just under the Command and Service Module. As with the 1:96 Saturn V kit, there are numerous details that were omitted during the molding process, so the kit is not completely authentic in comparison to the actual launch vehicles. Be sure to gather reference materials from NASA websites to ensure an accurate build.

Decals are basic, and don’t include any markings for specific Apollo launch vehicles. Additional research concerning the markings for each flight would need to be done if the builder wishes to model a specific mission. Additional decal sets are available from Rick Sternbach’s www.spacemodelsystems.com website. Set #SA144 includes all of the booster markings, CM, SM, BPC, and LES markings, as well as the yellow hatch and tank markings. A booklet containing descriptive text and a locator map is also included.

Builders wishing to have additional detail can obtain two sets from www.realspacemodels.com – a Block II CSM kit for $25.00 (5 resin, 6 photoetch, and one pewter part) and an entirely new upper section that allows the Saturn V to be displayed in Skylab Launch Configuration ($24.00).

Review by: Rich "Lonewolf" Dula

Entry created: 05/02/09