posted 12-14-2000 12:48 PM               

It was stated that a child could perform the staging. Only if he was Bam-Bam Rubble. I took the rocket in hand to perform the staging on my first lift off, and proceeded to tug the two stages apart. I tugged gently at first expecting a smooth separation. It did not come apart. I gave it a harder tug, still nothing. I finally gave it my best tug, and it did come apart, but it sent the command module, service module, the launch escape tower, and one panel of the third stage adapter flying across the room. Had this been a real launch it would have been a total loss of all hands aboard. You don't want that. I tried this procedure several times with the same results. This was very disappointing, as I wanted a model that had a toys toughness, and a models details. But, this toy is too tough to work as the demonstration model that I wanted.

The details on the CSM, and LM was sorely lacking in comparison to the 1:44 scale model. I also believe that it was about $20 over priced. If they could improve the details on the command module, that alone would help. In order to get the launch escape tower to fit on top properly the CM is reduced in size. It looks stunted, or just plain too small to be on top of the service module.

posted 12-14-2000 03:31 PM               

I guess I was willing to accept (what I thought were) minor inaccuracies to accommodate for its higher-degree of playability. I also thought fully stacked, the toy passed easily for the much more expensive, harder-to-build model from only an arm length's away.

posted 12-23-2001 12:39 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ed beck:
One item that I did fail to mention is that the letters USA are missing entirely from the third stage...

---

posted 12-26-2001 08:50 PM               

I do have some comments concerning the toy. In all respect to Ed and his review, I found this to be a pretty good toy for a child. Yes, the 1st stage was extremely tough to pull apart, but the detail was good for a toy that will get played with (very hard). It provides a strong child proof way to simulate the entire moon landing mission.

But I realized it is a toy and not a static display model. A museum quality display model would not stand up to a child's play.

So the two types will never merge into a good display model that a child can play with.

You can get a very beautiful display model by one of three methods. First, you can build one from scratch like Tracy Kornfeld did. Second, you can buy a Monogram kit at a local hobby store and build it. The third method is to contact Nick Proach about buying a 1/144 scale Saturn V model.

The first two solutions are for model builders with some talent. The third solution just requires some cash.

posted 12-27-2001 07:47 AM               

They might try to redesign the model, so that you can twist the sections apart using a pin and grove system. Plus keep the interstage on the 1st stage instead of covering the engines on the second stage.

posted 06-14-2009 04:54 AM               

To me, the Action Products Saturn V is a nice compromise between a toy and a display model IMHO. As mentioned by others, the rocket stages stick together very well and are tough to pop apart the first few times. But, it is easier to get apart after a few mission "simulations". Detail wise, it has some very good features for a toy externally. I had heard that supposedly Action used one (perhaps both) of the 1/144 Saturn model kits for inspiration, but it doesn't look like a direct copy of either kit based on my own research (maybe a little closer to Airfix detail then Monogram's). There do seem to be a couple minor lumps and bumps missing in spots and one inaccuracy carried up from Apollo 4 and 6 (8 ullage motors on the interstage instead of 4 on the manned missions), but one really has to be a bigtime Saturn V buff to spot them.

Indeed in a couple cases, the toy is better in detailing. For instance, both the 1/144 kits suffer from the Apollo CSM being too skinny (Airfix's upcoming reissue is correcting that with new tool parts and Realspace Models has a resin conversion). On this replica, the CSM seems to be the right size and it also has block 2 details. It is still a toy though as the CM is undersized to the SM so that the vinyl BPC fits on it and looks proper without being oversized. The LM is of course one of the compromises between toy and model, but at least the legs will survive repeated foldings without a problem. Vinyl is used for the F-1 engines and the BPC (can't put your eye out with the LES). On mine, the LES rocket tower is a little crooked, but it can be flexed back. The vinyl rocket motors also mean they won't break off easily.

Paintjob of this looks decent at a glance. It looks like a flying Saturn V and not Saturn 500-F. I haven't gone over the entire roll pattern to see if it lines up properly, but it does seem to be proper at a glance. The only thing that stands out to me is the roll pattern on the transition between the S-IVB and the S-II is wrong on one side as it is just a duplication of the other (black top, black bottom, black top, black bottom when it should be black top, black bottom, all white, all black). In my case, it doesn't bother me as I respect what it is.

So, if you are wanting to get one of these as a display piece, it looks good on a budget. In my case I think it looks better then some of the wood models I've seen (and even some built plastic models). It costs a lot less then a wood model. Take it off the slightly cheesy stand and stick it on a slick display base and it can look the part nicely. Under close scrutiny, its toy characteristics become apparent but they aren't glaring. From a few feet away and sitting on a shelf, it looks like a Saturn V to me.

If you want it as a toy, it is good for that too. It will survive many missions and seems to hold up well. Younger hands might have a hard time getting the first two stages apart (a slight bending action seems to help on mine rather then directly pulling them apart), but repeated stagings will help. The stages fit together well and are keyed so that they will stack properly one way only.