This is the largest model released as part of Walt Disney’s movie “The Black Hole” in 1979, and sadly, it is completely inaccurate when compared to the filming model.

The kit is molded in silver-gray styrene, and includes a small model of the Palamino that mounts in the landing well at the bow of the ship.

It is almost impossible to replicate the “glowing” look of the ship as it hangs in orbit around the Black Hole. The design has been likened to a gigantic Gothic building, floating in space. Attempting to drill out the space between the frames would leave a model that is made up of extremely fragile plastic beams, and it is doubtful that the kit would even be able to support its own weight.

The largest inaccuracy lies in the hull section between the aft tower and the forward dome. As shown on the box cover, there are two rectangular hull sections between the aft control tower and the center rounded sections, and three between the rounded sections and the forward dome. MPC molded the model with two sections aft and two sections forward, completely missing an entire rectangular section.

The only hope a builder has is to either completely scratchbuild the missing section, or be lucky enough to find a duplicate kit that has been partially built (or scrap pieces thereof) to allow them to salvage the missing section. I was fortunate enough to know someone who offered me the scrapped remains of their old Cygnus kit. I have since used a razor saw to separate one of the missing hull sections for another friend who wished to build this kit.

The other weak point in the ship’s layout is all of the fragile antennas that poke out. I am planning on replacing the antennas with steel guitar string when I get around to building this kit.

Even with all of its problems, this kit commands high prices on auction sites such as eBay when one appears for sale. The review sample cost $75.00 in 2004, but the kit sells frequently for amounts in excess of $100.00 to $125.00.

The completed kit, as molded, is over 24 inches in length. Modifying the kit to include the missing hull section adds another 3 to 4 inches.

Box Art
Center Hull Section
Bow Section
Completed Model - photo courtesy of Ken "Cydonia" Darden


Review by: Rich "Lonewolf" Dula

Entry created: 05/25/09