posted 07-27-2011 08:02 AM
I believe Heller does one at a reasonable price. I paid about £28.00 ($45.00) a few years ago.
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 07-27-2011 09:30 AM
AXM Papermodels has a very accurate, still-growing paper model of the station in 1/144 and 1/100 which can be built in any configuration. He also has Soyuz, Progress, ATV, HTV, and any 1/144 Orbiter available for free. You just download the files, print, and assemble. Most modules are sold separately and relatively cheap, although many are available for free.
Philip Member
Posts: 5952 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 07-27-2011 09:38 AM
The Space Store has a superb scale model of the ISS.
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 07-27-2011 02:09 PM
quote:Originally posted by Philip: The Space Store has a superb scale model of the ISS.
Past tense. They had a model.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 268 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 07-27-2011 03:27 PM
Amazon currently have 4 Revell 1:144 scale kits for around 80 USD.
Spaceguy5 Member
Posts: 427 From: Pampa, TX, US Registered: May 2011
posted 07-27-2011 04:34 PM
The only thing I don't like about all the plastic ISS models is that every one I've seen follows the old configuration and they lack features such as external stowage platforms and spare equipment.
apolloprojeckt Member
Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009
posted 07-27-2011 04:46 PM
There are extra upgrade kits for this 1/144 Revell kit, and a little building from yourself, it will be more accurate and give you more satisfaction.
Jay Chladek Member
Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
posted 07-28-2011 03:30 PM
The smallest plastic model ISS I've seen was from OTC Start (a Russian company) in 1/288 scale, although size wise it may still be a little smaller than that. It was still decent sized even though it was small. IMR and Revell did 1/144 kits and Revell is repoping their 1/144 offering late this year (not sure if they will modify it to the final as built configuration though or keep it as the original proposed configuration).
Takara in one of their pre-paint aircraft "candy toy" lines in Japan did a 1/700 ISS. You got the mid-configuration ISS in one box and a shuttle in another and each of the other 1/700 planes in the line gave you another part to expand the model to the final configuration (as proposed with the X-38 CRV and the Russian solar tower). The replica looked nice and you could leave parts off to make it look more like the current configuration. But to get all 12 pieces in the set even at $10 each would cost $120 or so. And then you would be left with a bunch of other planes that you may or may not have wanted to collect in the first place.
As for the Heller one, it is okay but they left off the main truss, which is a BIG part of what makes up the final ISS.
BMckay Member
Posts: 3218 From: MA, USA Registered: Sep 2002
posted 10-18-2011 08:13 PM
I am looking to be able to display an up-to-date ISS model at space events. Any ideas on where I can get one?
Not sure about a Revell model and have someone build it for me or try to find a made on. I don't have $4K-$5K to buy a real good one.
Any suggestions?
Editor's note: Threads merged.
arjuna unregistered
posted 10-19-2011 03:35 AM
Tomytec has a 1:700 version of the completed ISS w/ shuttle that I'm guessing is a re-branded version of the Takara one that Jay mentioned. They come in are both painted and pre-painted versions.
I bought a pre-painted one from HobbyLink Japan a couple of months ago and it's well done - but it's not a snap-together by any means and requires some glue/skill. The painted version is currently out of stock. I can confirm that the actual model is much nicer than how it appears in the photo. Once assembled, it's a bit fragile and doesn't like a lot of handling. But worth the $37 + shipping.
BMckay Member
Posts: 3218 From: MA, USA Registered: Sep 2002
posted 10-19-2011 07:43 AM
If I buy one (back ordered), could someone volunteer to make and strengthen it for me? I am willing to pay or have it be a donation to a 501c3. I will pay for the model. I can't build models — no talent — always use to much glue and leave finger prints. I would not need it until April or May.
Please email me if you can help.
Bill Hunt Member
Posts: 399 From: Irvine, CA Registered: Oct 2002
posted 10-19-2011 02:56 PM
I'd love to see better pictures of that.
arjuna unregistered
posted 10-19-2011 04:49 PM
I've never uploaded pictures here before, so I don't really know what I'm doing. But they should be viewable on Flickr:
Bill Hunt Member
Posts: 399 From: Irvine, CA Registered: Oct 2002
posted 10-20-2011 12:15 AM
Not bad! Thanks for sharing those. Looks like a nice alternative to what is sure to be a somewhat more expensive Dragon replica.
PeterO Member
Posts: 399 From: North Carolina Registered: Mar 2002
posted 10-20-2011 04:03 AM
There are photos of the kit's parts and instructions here.
It appears to be very well done for its size, but care will have to be taken to remove the parts from the sprues without damaging the paint.
arjuna unregistered
posted 10-20-2011 04:06 AM
The resolution in those pics isn't the best, so the model is probably even nicer than it appears. But again, the downside is that it is fragile, and although it needs no painting some of the parts have to be handled/assembled with finesse. I've done some fairly complicated models and this one was deceptively difficult. 2 on a scale of 5, but if I had tried to get rid of the sprue seams etc. it would have been a 2.5 or 3 (not because it's complicated, but because it's fragile).
Anyway, Dragon would do well to get the Tomytec and make sure theirs is nicer and a little more robust. Of course, it's also likely to be three times the price.
quote:Originally posted by PeterO: It appears to be very well done for its size, but care will have to be taken to remove the parts from the sprues without damaging the paint.
Yeah, it does help to be able to read a little Japanese!
It is impossible to take the parts off the sprue without damaging some of the paint - mainly on the main solar arrays. I just decided not to bother with that.
One thing you do have to watch especially is that the fit of the pins for those solar arrays are pretty fragile going into their holes - I broke off two of them and as a result it took me a long time to drill holes and get them glued back in proper alignment.
All that said, I had fun putting it together - it was nice not having to mess with masking and painting.
alexbaja Member
Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
posted 10-31-2011 12:28 PM
I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany. I was told that it was the last model kit he had but it still shows up for sale on his site. The price is 199 Euros. I added the enhancement kit plus shipping with a total cost of 251.48 Euros.
If there is anybody interested I would suggest to contact them as you well know this item has been out of production for some time.
Space In Scale Member
Posts: 33 From: Essex, England Registered: Dec 2010
posted 10-31-2011 12:40 PM
I'd actually like to know if anyone knows if the rumour is true about Bandai producing this.
I know they said no more space models, but I believe they listed it not so long ago at a show they attended, but it was quickly denied and taken down.
alexbaja Member
Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
posted 10-31-2011 12:55 PM
To be honest I was really waiting for Bandai to come out with an ISS. My thoughts were that since there was no conclusions from Bandai my second best model was this one and on the other hand this costed me 250 Euros and I am sure that the Bandai model will surely exceed this price. Their model train is over 700 Euros.
On the other hand I have all Bandai's models and I am up the sky with them so I guess we will have to wait and see.
cspg Member
Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
posted 10-31-2011 02:43 PM
quote:Originally posted by alexbaja: I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany.
An incomplete ISS model- and it's not listed under ISS if you do make a search of their website.
If LEGO dropped their ISS model because they couldn't manage to have the model's elements stick together (pieces would fall off), and since Dragon Models is planning to issue three different ISS models - not one of the completed ISS, maybe Bandai dropped the idea because it was technically unfeasible?
alexbaja Member
Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
posted 10-31-2011 03:11 PM
quote:Originally posted by cspg: An incomplete ISS model - Bandai dropped the idea because it was technically unfeasible?
You might be right Chris that it is not technically perfect but with some scratch building and some loving care I should build a respectable (ISS) model.
The modules of this model should fit snugly together, I am sure that I should be happy with this model.
If ever Bandai gets their ISS model out then I will see if can afford it.
alexbaja Member
Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
posted 11-01-2011 03:48 AM
quote:Originally posted by alexbaja: I managed to order an ISS kit in 1/144th Intermountain Railway Company from andromeda24.de in Germany.
I was told by the seller that he has only one left.
posted 03-12-2013 06:19 AM
I picked up a small ISS kit a while ago and while not of great detail I wondered what colours to paint it? Are the modules predominately silver and the solar arrays a brownish hue?
posted 07-27-2011 07:17 AM
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