This is the large-scale Saturn V full stack kit that was released in the 1970’s by Monogram, and reissued in 1994 by Revell. The review model for this article was issued in 1994 and carries 25th Anniversary Moon Landing markings on the box.

The completed kit stands over 114 cm (44.9 inches) tall. The kit is molded in white and gray styrene, and has sheet styrene and corrugated cardboard sections for some of the stages. A small lunar base and LEM are also part of the kit and make a nice (if inaccurate) desktop model.

The kit, however, lacks a lot of detail, and quite a few websites are devoted to showing how to fix incorrect details and to create details that are missing. The basic decal sheet supplied with the kit is woefully incomplete, and a 1:96 detail set with full stencil markings was obtained from Rick Sternbach’s www.spacemodelsystems.com website for use at a later date. The Saturn V/Apollo Bundle (Set #SB96) includes all markings for the booster, BPC, LES, and CM/SM, along with new yellow hatch and tank markings, and a descriptive booklet with locator maps).

Aside from the missing and inaccurate details, there are also issues with the structural integrity of the kit. Revell’s use of Monogram’s old design, including the corrugated cardboard and the sheet styrene, means that there really isn’t much holding this kit together when it’s completed. The styrene rings representing the staging collars don’t add a lot to the rigidity of the kit, and it suffers from sagging. Some suggested fixes include filling the model with expanding plumber’s foam, or using PVC pipe sections with the supplied styrene sheet or cardboard wrapped around it. Without reinforcing the interior of the kit, the builder will always have to worry about leaning too hard against it, or accidentally bumping it, causing major damage. There is simply nothing behind the styrene sheets or cardboard to prevent the sections from buckling.

Two resin detail sets are available from www.realspacemodels.com – a Block II CSM conversion (2 resin parts, 1 vacuform part, $25.00) and an F-1 Engine set with simulated asbestos for the foil-like “batted” covering ($30.00). The CSM conversion deals with the fact that the kit as issued only comes with a Block I CSM, while most of the actual flown versions featured a Block II variant.

If you want a large-scale Saturn V for your hobby room, this is the kit you want. But be prepared to devote lots of time and attention to detail to make it shine.

Review by: Rich "Lonewolf" Dula

Entry created: 05/01/09