Dragon Wings 1:72 Apollo 10 CSM and LM

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Author	Topic: Dragon Wings 1:72 Apollo 10 CSM and LM
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-11-2011 02:13 PM Dragon Wings 1:72 Apollo 10 Command/Service Module (CSM) and Lunar Module (LM). This looks neat with the see-through characteristics (compared to their Apollo 9 model).
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004	posted 04-11-2011 02:33 PM Now that will definitely be a must-buy. Wish they'd given Apollo 9 a similar treatment.
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42982 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 04-11-2011 03:07 PM Additional product imagery courtesy our friends at Dragon:
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42982 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 04-11-2011 03:08 PM
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001	posted 04-11-2011 03:20 PM Excellent model. Though the windows on the LM look wrong and the descent stage looks out of proportion to the ascent stage; it looks too small and the ladder does not have enough rungs. But if displayed in the stack those flaws will not be so apparent.
arjuna unregistered	posted 04-11-2011 03:39 PM Yes, the windows are too small. If you look at a pic of the one on exhibit at KSC, the edges of the window go all the way to the edge of that part of the frame. The descent stage foil pattern may be a little off as well (not enough gold mylar?), but they did a fine job at representing the "crinkly" aspect of the mylar, and other than those flaws, my quick sense is that it's very well done otherwise.
Henk Boshuijer Member Posts: 450 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007	posted 04-11-2011 03:55 PM Looks like a great model. When can we buy it?
328KF Member Posts: 1234 From: Registered: Apr 2008	posted 04-11-2011 04:04 PM And how much?
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004	posted 04-11-2011 05:48 PM quote: Originally posted by Henk Boshuijer: Looks like a great model. When can we buy it? I haven't been collecting this series very long, but I've already come to accept that the "release dates" posted by Dragon generally have little or no relation to when each model actually becomes available for purchase...at least from US dealers. As for the price, based on what we've seen from the series so far, I'd guess around US$75. Don't hold me to that, though.
history in miniature Member Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009	posted 04-11-2011 08:10 PM Pretty nicely done, yes there are a few areas that could be better, overall however thumbs up.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-12-2011 12:55 AM quote: Originally posted by Henk Boshuijer: Looks like a great model. When can we buy it? Since the model is "new" (ie. it wasn't announced in Dragon's space catalog) and that release dates are apparently more for planning purposes than anything else (it's just an indication that the model is in production), we can expect the actual release date to be a few months later than the announced April release date.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-12-2011 12:59 AM quote: Originally posted by 328KF: And how much? The Apollo 9 model (the same as the Apollo 10 model without the LM) sells for $57. The Apollo 7 and 8 CSM sell for $43. The Apollo 11 (CSM + LM) set is planned to sell for $76, which would give us a LM for $33 ($76 minus the A8/A9 CSM at $43). Add this to the cost of the Apollo 9 set, and you have an estimated retail price of $90. Just a guess.
arjuna unregistered	posted 04-12-2011 01:13 AM As for availability, I've noticed that as new ones get posted on their website, they generally are available at Flying Mule about 6 to 8 weeks later. As you'll notice, the Apollo 9 was announced just before Christmas, and I got mine from the Mule at the end of January or early February. I'm not promoting Flying Mule, just that they're the ones I've used. Other places are probably just as good/quick. And I agree that despite the minor flaws, it's pretty cool and I'll definitely be getting one.
dog320 Member Posts: 49 From: West Sussex, United Kingdom Registered: Jul 2010	posted 04-12-2011 06:50 AM Well, I seem to be swimming against the stream here, for me the glass is less than half full. The CSM, BPC and LES seem to have the same defects as previous releases. The transparent SLA is a nice touch. The LM looks pretty awful, (similar to Bandai's in a scale twice as large). First the bad: The "landing" windows are hopeless. Also, in 1/72 scale I'd expect them to be transparent. From these views the descent stage main structure (excluding the engine bell) appears too shallow. TCA nozzles incorrectly orientated. Snoopy had no RCS plume deflectors. Snoopy had four lunar surface sensing probes. No landing radar protective shield. Wrong number of ladder rungs. From these views, to my eyes the ascent stage fuel and oxidizer tank housings appear too small. No EVA handrail. Ascent stage flood light needs painting to stand out more. "United States" markings mis-aligned. Docking target lacks detail (see Corgi's Bf-110 AA38502 radar for the detail available in 1/72 diecast). To me points 1 to 3 are not minor for any LM, points 4 and 5 are not minor for Snoopy either. Overall, far from excellent. Still there are some good features: Snoopy did not have fully protected landing pads so they should look basically silver as shown (but smoother). Nice details on the back of the aft equipment bay. Nice to see that the landing radar and docking windows were not ignored. Nice insulation/ micrometeroid "crinkling". So far Dragon have shown no inclination to remedy the defects of earlier releases so I'll be passing on this one. I'd really like them to get Apollo 11 correct, but this offering does not look promising. 4/10, please do better.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-12-2011 07:27 AM It would be interesting to have an opinion regarding the manufacturing process. How many of the 12 "bad" items listed above come from manufacturing techniques, ie. manufacturing at 1:72 would be impossible to be that precise (as opposed to a 1:48 scale model). Not defending Dragon from any poor modeling, just trying to see if there's another possible explanation.
apolloprojeckt Member Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009	posted 04-12-2011 09:11 AM Nice model, but oops, the model on the photo is already damaged. That is pity...
dog320 Member Posts: 49 From: West Sussex, United Kingdom Registered: Jul 2010	posted 04-12-2011 12:06 PM Judging from the 100+ diecast models that I own, so far as the manufacturing process is concerned, I think that the EVA handrail would be a real challenge in 1/72. Maybe it isn't reasonable to ask for one. Transparent windows would expose a lack of cabin interior detail but I feel that would be acceptable. Painted windows look far worse (tinting would be a compromise). Some other items are quite possible but would be delicate and easy to loose or break (e.g. lunar probes, radar shield). I'd be happy to take the risk. The remaining items fall either into the lazy/ poor research category (TCA quads, "United States" markings etc) or are the product of selling a generic model instead of mission-specific ones (e.g. plume deflectors). I'm not really bothered by the number of ladder rungs, it's just there for completeness. Others may disagree. This falls well short of the current 1/72 diecast state of the art. In my opinion it is more of a toy (and an expensive one) than a model or scale replica. Of course, these missing details would no doubt come at an increased price. I'll no doubt get Apollo 11 and modify it myself to use as a collection "gap filler" pending the production of a decent version by Dragon or some other manufacturer. Of course, buying "gap fillers" costs money too.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-15-2011 09:34 AM The Swiss retail price for this model is 119 Swiss Francs or US$133.
tegwilym Member Posts: 2331 From: Sturgeon Bay, WI Registered: Jan 2000	posted 04-15-2011 03:34 PM Overall the details look pretty nice. But the windows, and the descent stage 'shortness' kind of give it a 'dwarf' look. Looking at the full stack, isn't there just a little bit too much room between the top of the LM and the CM engine? Yeah, I'm kind of picky. I'm one of those guys that sees a nice metal model of an airplane, and the first thing I do is turn it over and make sure the landing gear looks good. Otherwise I say "bad landing gear" put it down and walk away. Picky, picky!
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-18-2011 02:32 PM quote: Originally posted by cspg: ...and you have an estimated retail price of $90. Just a guess. Well, not too far off! The Flying Mule has it for $85.99!
Henk Boshuijer Member Posts: 450 From: Netherlands Registered: May 2007	posted 04-18-2011 03:06 PM The Aviation Megastore offers it for 69.95 Euro. (this includes tax, but price still can change.)
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 04-29-2011 08:07 AM It must have been postponed because it is no longer listed under "April" releases - The Gemini spacecraft replaced it.
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007	posted 04-29-2011 11:17 AM Anyone know if the CM's launch cover comes off to show detail underneath?
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006	posted 04-29-2011 12:12 PM It did on the Apollo 9 version. It fit really well also.
Captain Apollo Member Posts: 260 From: UK Registered: Jun 2004	posted 05-01-2011 08:16 AM Why does the LM have the flame deflectors fitted under the RCS pods? I thought they weren't fitted until after 11?
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42982 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999	posted 05-01-2011 10:00 AM Dragon is in the process of correcting details like the flame deflectors (which will be removed from the final product).
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 05-03-2011 08:32 AM quote: Originally posted by cspg: It must have been postponed because it is no longer listed under "April" releases - The Gemini spacecraft replaced it. Ta-daaa! The model is back under "April".
dtemple Member Posts: 729 From: Longview, Texas, USA Registered: Apr 2000	posted 05-06-2011 11:01 PM quote: Originally posted by arjuna: The descent stage foil pattern may be a little off as well (not enough gold mylar?), but they did a fine job at representing the "crinkly" aspect of the mylar Apollo 10/LM-4 had a unique pattern - heavy on black with little gold - and it appears to be reasonably well represented on the model. As many have already noted, there are a number of flaws such as the small windows. Perhaps most of the flaws will be corrected prior to the model being released.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 05-12-2011 08:50 AM There's a picture here:
cycleroadie Member Posts: 452 From: Apalachin, NY USA Registered: May 2011	posted 06-29-2011 06:55 AM DragonModels USA shows these have arrived as of yesterday, expect them showing in stock on flyingmule and others soon!
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 07-08-2011 09:30 AM Mine got here today, after spending more time in the hands of the Swiss customs/postal services than it took to be shipped out of San Francisco to Switzerland. I'm not complaining, no taxes paid. The LM is extremely fragile - I'll have to glue back one of the landing pads. Taking out the Command Module of the box is much more "fun" than to put it back in! I had as much "fun" as assembling the lawnmower... Other than that it looks neat. Now we need the first three stages at 1:72 see-through! (Part of their Cutaway products?)
astroborg Member Posts: 200 From: Woodbridge, VA, USA Registered: Nov 2000	posted 07-08-2011 08:40 PM Were any of the flaws identified above fixed?
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004	posted 07-08-2011 11:19 PM I received mine this afternoon. It's a very handsome model, though I have to second Chris' issues with its packaging. Like his, my LM had a footpad knocked off (front/ladder leg). Not a big deal to repair, but still irritating. As for his problems removing and re-packing the CSM, at first glance I didn't see what the problem could be (I read his above post before receiving mine). It appeared that after clipping the wires around the CSM, which also held the overall clear bubble cover in place (don't even try to actually untie said wires; neither I nor anyone else I've known in this life has that kind of patience), removing the CSM looked pretty straightforward. Um... no. Nowhere is it illustrated in the external packaging, nor is it obvious in the little assembly instruction sheet, that the CSM is held in place by a screwed-in bracket that is to be removed before display. Once I figured this out, it was a matter of prying apart the black base molded seating on either side of the CSM while using my other hand to free the model. Just another application of carefully but firmly applied force. Same with re-seating the CSM. Aside from those difficulties, it's a well-executed model that does require some assembly: In addition to application of the SM thruster quads as on Dragon's 1:72 Apollo 7, 8, and 9 models, you'll also have to attach the various LM antennae, as well as the ascent stage thruster quads. And probably at least one footpad.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 07-09-2011 01:48 AM quote: Originally posted by astroborg: Were any of the flaws identified above fixed? I've noticed that the ladder rungs now number 9 and that the RCS plume deflectors have been removed. There's no way you could have lunar sensing probes on this model, way too fragile. I haven't found the EVA handrail. The windows are not transparent. The egress platform is tilted 45° (for packaging purposes?). That's all I can pick up. But at 1:72, I'm not sure we can be too demanding. At 1:48, that would have been a different story. I'll leave to people who have more expertise.
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006	posted 07-09-2011 02:02 AM quote: Originally posted by GoesTo11: ...neither I nor anyone else I've known in this life has that kind of patience Now you know one. I've never clipped any wires. Untying them was a lot easier than to pull out the CM!
tetrox Member Posts: 142 From: London England Registered: Jan 2008	posted 07-17-2012 06:13 AM Some months ago I purchased the Dragon "Apollo 10" kit. The kit arrived with a crack in the clear SLA transition. I opened a ticket with Dragoncare and they e-mailed me with a request of a photograph showing the damage and proof of purchased which I sent and Dragoncare acknowledged. Since then I have requested an update about ten times with no reply. I wonder if anyone has had similar experiences or could advise me who to contact at Dragon. Many thanks. Editor's note: Threads merged.
the clocks running Member Posts: 382 From: Rochester, NY Registered: Jan 2012	posted 07-17-2012 07:49 AM I have had great success with assistance from Dragoncare in the USA. Maybe you should email them for assistance and explain the current situation. Dragoncare in the United States can be reached at dragoncare@dragonmodelsusa.com.
Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002	posted 12-31-2012 12:01 PM I have the Dragon Apollo 10 command module / service module / lunar module 1:72 scale, unfortunately the docking part of the command module is broken and I have all the pieces I think to glue them back on but not sure how they go. Does anyone have a close up photo of this that they could send me please or even post here so I can glue this correctly? Thanks in advance. Editor's note: Threads merged.
sev8n Member Posts: 233 From: Dallas TX USA Registered: Jul 2012	posted 12-31-2012 05:36 PM Here is a link to a scan of the instruction sheet showing the assembly sequence.
Madon_space Member Posts: 667 From: uk Registered: Sep 2002	posted 01-02-2013 06:15 AM Thank you that is just what I was looking for.