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Author
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Topic: Dragon 1:400 Shuttle Memorable Missions
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-11-2011 08:45 AM
   
Dragon Models' first look at their new 1:400 "Memorable Missions of the Space Shuttle" set, as being announced at the All Japan Model & Hobby Show. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-11-2011 09:40 AM
Since each model (except for Columbia with the white ET) have already been produced, it shouldn't be too long to see this set. But each shuttle sells for $50, so we're looking at a +/- $250 set... |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 10-11-2011 09:53 AM
Actually Columbia with the white ET was produced 5/6 years ago? This seems like overkill on Dragon's part to me. If they sell it in pieces I'll grab the stacks I do not already have, but will be very difficult to justify duplicating pieces I already have. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-11-2011 02:26 PM
I don't blame them. Once you've got the mold up and running, why not produce more models. The great thing about this set is that you have all five orbiters in the same configuration. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 10-11-2011 02:50 PM
Why not pair them with an MLP instead of that black monolith? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-11-2011 04:18 PM
This series was a reply in part to collectSPACE readers' asking for shuttle models mounted vertically, so as to stand side-by-side with Dragon's other 1:400 rockets.I will double check but I believe the "black monolith" won't remain black but will have a backdrop photo. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 10-11-2011 05:09 PM
I can understand them using the molds, and capitalizing on the market, don't get me wrong, from a business standpoint I understand. I just hope they break it up and don't issue all five together or within weeks of each other. An image on the stand would be good if done right, I agree though, a MLP would have been better like the 1/500 Herpa Wings issue. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-12-2011 01:41 AM
I agree that a MLP would be a nice addition, even more so that the other rocket models come with their launch pad. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-12-2011 02:14 PM
Dragon should start selling accessories to their models. |
ringo67
Member Posts: 179
From: Seekonk, Mass., USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 10-14-2011 05:51 PM
I also agree, (and I've said it before) the MLP would be an awesome addition. I hope these are available separately as Dragon has never sold Discovery with its current markings without a tail cone.In my opinion, what they should do is sell it in pieces, each of the shuttles sold separately, then you can also buy a SRB/ET stack with MLP, or landing diorama with wheels (and maybe a couple of ground support vehicles) or a NASA 747 with a tail cone. Then you could mix and match. |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 10-15-2011 06:39 AM
Aren't the markings on the STS-71 orbiter wings inaccurate? It should have the worm logo, not the meatball. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-15-2011 09:32 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ringo67:
In my opinion, what they should do is sell it in pieces, each of the shuttles sold separately, then you can also buy a SRB/ET stack with MLP, or landing diorama with wheels (and maybe a couple of ground support vehicles) or a NASA 747 with a tail cone. Then you could mix and match.
Brilliant ideas. Add a protective case! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-15-2011 09:43 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
Aren't the markings on the STS-71 orbiter wings inaccurate?
It would appear so. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-27-2011 01:37 AM
All five shuttles will sell separately for $50 each with a planned release of January 2012. Unfortunately the pictures posted on the Flying Mule website do not load. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 10-27-2011 07:52 PM
Good to know they're being sold separately. I really want the Columbia stack with the white ET, and I'll probably buy Endeavour as well. The others seem redundant. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-12-2011 07:01 AM
Here's the first of the individual Shuttle Memorable Mission sets (#56371) to be announced, Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-1). |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-19-2011 10:10 AM
Here's Challenger: |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 12-19-2011 10:59 AM
The most noticeable error with Challenger is on the right wing. The grey in color NASA worm logo should be in line with the black USA on the left wing. As it looks now, the NASA/Challenger is lower looking because it is centered on the USA/American Flag on the vertical axis. In addition the black "tile" area located on the inner most part of the wing and under OMS pods is a Triangle shape much like what Enterprise wears. It should be more of a polygon shape. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-23-2011 02:06 PM
quote:
Originally posted by garyd2831:
The grey in color NASA worm logo should be in line with the black USA on the left wing.
Dragon has now corrected for this detail (and the above image has been updated). |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 12-23-2011 04:14 PM
Thanks Robert for the update, much better  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-29-2011 09:02 AM
#56373 Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-124): |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 01-19-2012 07:07 AM
Now Atlantis... #56374 Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-71): |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 02-03-2012 06:27 AM
Now Endeavour... #56375 Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-88): |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-08-2012 06:03 PM
I just received review samples of Columbia and Discovery. A few quick impressions: - The external tank is permanently attached to the the backdrop by two thick posts.
- The model ships with the solid rocket boosters attached to the tank. They feel like they could separate, but I'm not going to try pulling them until they do.
- The orbiter is packaged separately and attaches firmly on its three attach points (using pegs).
- The entire stack, once assembled, floats above the base by about a quarter of an inch.
- The base leaves a good open space for an signature or two, which may be a selling point for these models to autograph enthusiasts.
As an aside, I am hoping Dragon might consider adding a sixth model to the series — Enterprise (either on SLC-6 or 39A). |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 02-08-2012 06:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
As an aside, I am hoping Dragon might consider adding a sixth model to the series — Enterprise (either on SLC-6 or 39A).
Or maybe doing both? Maybe they will also do the shuttle markings for both pre- and post-1998 changes (i.e. NASA worm and Vector). |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 02-08-2012 10:00 PM
Thanks for the info, Robert. That bit about the ET being attached to the backdrop is a little discouraging, as it obviously eliminates other display options. I'll still be buying the Columbia model, and probably Challenger, but that's likely it. The other orbiters are already represented in my Dragon 1:400 collection.Though if they did do Enterprise at Vandenberg, that would indeed be tempting. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-09-2012 06:02 AM
ET permanently attached to the display, and possibly the SRBs also? I too am going to pass, on all of them though. Too bad, they could have made a great piece here. I'd have paid more for a fully detachable stack, and on a MLP. These never did much for me as they were, and now really do nothing for me. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 02-09-2012 02:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cycleroadie:
ET permanently attached to the display, and possibly the SRBs also?
That's a rather dumb idea... there was no need for changes from the other models that came out. And of course, that leaves room for (yet?) another model of Columbia with a white ET. At that point, I'm getting a bit annoyed, to say the least. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-09-2012 02:53 PM
Why get annoyed? If you don't like the model, don't buy it. Problem solved.This is a diorama series and designed accordingly. It will appeal to those who like such displays. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 02-09-2012 03:06 PM
Sure, but the diorama could have been better, that's all I was saying. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-10-2012 06:25 PM
The Columbia hit the coast today, your preferred supplier should have them in stock soon. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-16-2012 03:18 PM
The Challenger display hit the coast today, should be shipping to you soon! |
jjknap
Member Posts: 273
From: Bourbonnais, IL USA
Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 02-19-2012 11:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
ET permanently attached to the display, and possibly the SRBs also?
On the Flying Mule site, the pictures show that the ET/boosters can be detached from the display (unless it was photoshopped). |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42982
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-19-2012 12:42 PM
Flying Mule may be reusing photos from Dragon's older STS-1 Columbia, or they may have indeed separated theirs, but doing so would leave two large holes in the back of the external tank. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 02-22-2012 02:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
All five shuttles will sell separately for $50 each with a planned release of January 2012.
The price has increased to $64! 
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GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 02-23-2012 08:07 PM
Received my Columbia/STS-1 model today...looks nice. The ET/SRB stack is attached to the base by a pair of (very) small screws, which come out easily enough with the right size Phillips head. The 2 drill holes in the ET are about 1/16". |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 03-06-2012 11:48 AM
Discovery has arrived on the coast, look for it at your local supplier soon. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 03-08-2012 07:19 AM
Received Columbia and Challenger. Both models would have been better with a better background (actual photo, mission patch, etc or with an identical color) and a display case, especially with the price increase.Columbia's SRBs are shiny and the ET is matt (?). And one of Challenger's SRB is a bit loose. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-08-2012 10:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
And one of Challenger's SRB is a bit loose.
Well, you got off easy. When I received my Challenger, the plastic clamshell ET had come completely unglued, and the metal SRBs were, so to speak, well past SEP; I'm wondering if there was a defective production run of this model. My replacement shipped from the Flying Mule today...should have it mid-next week. Anyone else have it yet? Any similar issues?
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GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 03-13-2012 05:14 PM
Following up my previous post, I received my "replacement" Challenger model today...and the vertical fin was broken off. The gentleman who handles returns at Flying Mule said that there have been QC issues with this particular model, though with the one I received today, it looked to me like a case of poor packing...the shipping box was too shallow, and the window on the Dragon box was partially crushed. This has never been an issue with the Flying Mule before. They promised to expedite the exchange, so hopefully third time's the charm. |
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