This kit, another in the Space Ship Series by Aoshima, joins the Apollo Command Module/Lunar Module (No. 1) and the Lunar Module Eagle 5 (No. 3). One strange thing is that nothing in this series is in a consistent scale. Kit No. 1 is in 1:96, and Kit No. 3 is in 1:48. But the review kit is even more strange, in that it contains two kits in one. The Saturn V is in 1:400, and the Lunar Module is in 1:96.

The buyer should be aware that the box does carry a disclaimer that states: “This kit is an assembly reproduced using the dies of the original model released in 1969. Note in advance that due to this, some parts of the product will have burr and scuffing.”

The Saturn V kit is molded in white and red styrene. The Saturn V itself is simple, having a total of 17 parts. All of the detailing is raised. The completed rocket sits on a full model of the Launch Umbilical Tower, and includes the underside and treads of the Transport Crawler. The tower parts (including the crane) and the Crawler treads are molded in red styrene, with the LUT base and the underside of the Crawler in white. The central floors of the LUT are also in white, so the completed kit will have red framing and white deck levels.

The Lunar Module (or LM) is in 1:96 and is molded in white styrene. No clear parts are included, so the windows are just open gaps. There is no interior to the LM, so it will probably be best to paint it black inside. Either that, or scratchbuild the interior if you desire. Very basic detailing is included, with the LM being posed in the landed configuration. No lead wires come from the bottom of the landing pads, and there is no gold mylar foil to be attached around the descent stage.

Basic decals are included, but I have no idea where the “Apollo Saturn” decal in red italic letters is supposed to go. Markings for the Saturn V include the black panels, “USA” and “United States” in red letters, and four separate American flags. Markings on the LM are limited to four black panels around the descent stage, one of which has an American flag on it with the words “United States” in red underneath.

This is a very basic kit, and it’s made from dies that are 40+ years old, so don’t expect a lot from it and you will be in good shape. At 1:400 scale it’s small, but it’s more manageable for display unless you want to have a 1:144 full Saturn V stack on a LUT (I’ve been working on a paper LUT kit for three years for the Monogram full stack) or even in the larger 1:96 scale.

If you want a very simple kit to sit on your shelf, this is a good one. Or it would make a good addition to a diorama that uses forced-perspective, if the LUT and Saturn V are to be more in the background, with less detail showing.

Completed kit dimensions (approximate):

Saturn V: 6 inches
LUT & Crawler: 8 inches tall x 2.5 inches wide
LM: About 2 inches tall and 2 inches wide.

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula
Entry created: July 1, 2012