posted 04-02-2010 07:52 PM               

I'm glad they haven't cancelled the weekend postal services yet and I will be there tomorrow, bright and early!

posted 04-02-2010 09:47 PM               

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Originally posted by Apollo Redux:
I'll wait for the 4D Vision Cutaway Saturn V.

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posted 04-03-2010 01:10 PM               

The shipping package was done very well. The box is nice too that it has a handle that you can carry it around.

The model is very well done, I like the details. No errors in painting, nice and sharp. I did have one problem, one of the fins broke off, but easy to glue back on.

Although it is made of plastic, each stage is weighty - probably from the engine nozzles and from the domes.

The instructions are written in Japanese, but the diagrams are pretty good to follow. Each stage is connected by a locking ring mechanism, so I would be careful not to over torque it.

The Spacecraft Lunar Module Adapter (SLA) panels can be opened, but are fragile, so don't put too much force there. When putting the lunar module (LM) in, I would first connect it to the SLA with it's panels open before placing it on the third stage. The legs have to be positioned so that there are between each latch of the panel - it's a snug fit and you have to gently work it in. If you don't do that, then the service module cannot connect. You can leave one panel open to see the LM. I'm surprised that the LM is nicely done, especially being so small.

When you connect the command module (CM) to the service module (SM), it doesn't really lock into place and can easily fall off. To keep it in place, it either has to be pointed upward or connected to the shield cover, it's nicely snugged in there. I will probably keep this in the stacked position. It would look nice when set on it's side and the CM and SM linked to the LM looks nice too. The antenna for the SM is attachable and is small, so don't lose it.

A complaint that I do have is the base and the reflective material that is supposed to be like a mirror - it's cheesy, poorly made and scratched, especially for the amount of money you pay. At the very least, I would expect them to have it well polished and an adhesive wrap on it so that you can peel it away after everything is in place.

The surface of the moon is a piece of rubber or pliable plastic and it's okay.

Another complaint is that they only give you one ascent stage of the LM. You can either place it in the third stage opened, or on the moon surface. Again, pretty cheap on Bandai's part for the amount of money you pay. It would also be nice if there were depressions where the LM can nicely fit on the surface, as for the astronaut that is on the moon's surface. You can easily lose one of them, especially when dusting or vacuuming. I can see my dog swallowing Neil!

For the flag, it's a sticker and you need to fold it against a small metal pin and then insert that onto the rubber mat. Again, pretty cheesy for the amount that you pay.

I guess another thing that you can say is that the "super alloy" is their sign, but there is no adhesive on it's back to apply to the base. I might leave that off.

Mine came with the splashed down CM. It's looks okay, made out of plastic, would be better if it were made of metal - maybe overkill and can be easily left out without having a great impact on the presentation.

So all in all, I'm pretty happy with it. It's a very nice model and very detailed and it fits well with each part. I don't know how this will compare to the 4D Famemaster, but I think, from what I've heard, it's better than Danbury Mint's. $500 is a bit much, especially for the quality of the reflective base and the absence of a second ascent stage. Maybe half that much would be more reasonable.

One final note, this is not a toy!

posted 04-03-2010 03:25 PM            

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Originally posted by andrewcli:
$500 is a bit much, especially for the quality... Maybe half that much would be more reasonable.

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posted 04-03-2010 03:43 PM               

I think for construction, details, and quality, I would give it a 4.5 out of 5. It's really a nice model, despite the plastic. The plastic is very well made and not flimsy or thin. The connection to each stage is seamless and great. You can't see any problems one might see in lower quality models.

This is a model that will sit on a desk or somewhere you want to show it off and not to play with. This is a display model standing next to your other precious items in your collection. On the the other end, the Famemaster is probably something that you can play with, take apart and look at all the nooks and crannies.

For the value to price ratio, I would probably give it a 3 out of 5. The presentation stand is crappy and for the amount of money you pay, it really hampers my complete enthusiasm. I now know why there are four pins and four flag decals, you can't plant it on the mat without bending the tiny rod - CRAP! There is a small tiny hole that you need to find at 9 o'clock to plant the flag - need to follow the footprints. I would expect better in addition to a second ascent stage and a better made CM splashdown model.

posted 04-03-2010 11:57 PM               

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Originally posted by andrewcli:
Hope this helps out. Now to go to the store and get some super glue

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posted 04-04-2010 10:08 AM               

If you are using the struts to support the stages, horizontally, there is nothing to put together, just lay each stage onto two struts. Again, you cannot lay the CM with the SM connected unless you use the launch tower and BPC to link the two together. The only way to display the CM linked to the SM is to have it angled upwards, linked to the LM. I don't think the launch tower/BPC will link to the SM alone if that is what you are planning to do.

posted 04-07-2010 07:41 AM               

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Originally posted by dsenechal:
For the Bandai Saturn V, this material was by far the superior option. If the model were full die-cast metal, the fit and detail would be comparatively clumsy, and it would weigh a ton. Don't be put off because it's not metal - this is better.

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posted 04-16-2010 03:36 PM               

I display mine on its side with the Revell Block I CSM attached (it doesn't do justice to the rest of the stack) and have the Block II displayed with the LEM inflight.

posted 04-22-2010 02:06 PM               

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Originally posted by 22pilot:
With regards to the Japanese Saturn V model, what exactly does 'diecast' mean?

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There's a good explaination about this towards the bottom of page 2 on this thread.

posted 04-27-2010 12:51 PM               

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Originally posted by dsenechal:
It will stand on its F1 engines. However, one little bump and over it goes. Then you will be very unhappy.

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posted 04-29-2010 11:38 AM               

First, shipping: I made my Paypal payment to the seller on Tuesday, 4/20, and was notified of shipment the next day. This past Friday, JapanPost's tracking site said that the model had been released from customs in LA, so I expected a mid-week arrival and was pleasantly surprised when it arrived at my office Monday morning. So, total EMS shipping time from Japan to Denver just six days. Several cSers have emailed me asking who I bought from... I ordered from this page, which currently shows model as back-ordered; I don't know when or if they expect more. I received excellent customer support during the order process, so I recommend them without reservation.

Model arrived well-packaged in a box approximately 30"x18"x18", with a good four inches of packing on all sides of the actual model. As noted previously, the model itself is in a heavy cardboard case with a handle, but the color graphics pictured by contra are actually a "sleeve" that fits over the case, which is a nice simulated-vinyl finish with embossed silver graphics.

The components of the model are seated in foam as shown, secure but not difficult to take out (though requisite care should of course be taken). Just a couple of things to add to previous posts about the model itself:

• Describing it as "plastic" may be technically accurate (I'm not sure about the actual manufacturing process), but it seems to imply "cheap" or "flimsy." I can assure everyone that it is neither. While certain components, such as the LM and SLA doors, are delicate and should be handled appropriately, the overall finish, fit, and heft are comparable to a scaled-up Danbury Mint Saturn V. (Mine, by the way, still hasn't spoken to me since I ordered the Bandai).

• Some illustrations show both LM descent stages with legs extended. This is inaccurate. Just to clarify, the LM legs are fixed, not folding. One descent stage has the legs extended for landing, the other has the legs folded for seating in the SLA. Like others here, my only real complaint is that there's only one LM ascent stage provided, but I decided I could live with that.

• The stands for horizontal display, as well as the vertical support struts, are packed in their own boxes underneath the foam "tray" holding the model itself. Packaging overall is outstanding.

posted 04-29-2010 11:55 AM               

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Originally posted by GoesTo11:
I'm sure the experts here will find a few nits to pick with the detailing, but on the whole I'm glad I bought it.

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I don't think the experts here have been down on it, quite the opposite. Look at the posts above where two of the best model builders I know have said "I'm impressed with their efforts" and "Yes indeed very nice model" -- take it from me this is no small compliment when you see the work they produce.

posted 04-30-2010 01:18 PM               

My model does have a few niggles though: my LM upperstage has a very obvious join - anyone recommend whether a simple lick of model paint will rectify and if so, any advice on what 'colour' to get?

Also, all my stages have what look like small marks on them; like someone has rubbed them with rubber - ordinary household polish doesn't remove them - and now I wonder if they're actually scratches. I hasten to add, this was how the model arrived.

I normally would contact the retailer, but as we're talking about a retailer in Japan, I think it'll be more hassle than it's worth. They're noticeable if you get close.

posted 05-03-2010 05:20 PM               

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Originally posted by Norman.King
Does anyone have the best contact address for Bandai (email or postal)?

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posted 05-04-2010 11:19 PM               

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Originally posted by Tricey:
They're noticeable if you get close. Any advice would be gratefully received on 'tidying up' my Saturn V.

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And here are two pictures of the ascent stage of LM (my larger headache), so you can fully appreciate the top and bottom whereby the join is pretty bad (this is a tiny item and hardly of real consequence, but well, we’re not buying a small bar of chocolate here).

posted 05-05-2010 08:24 AM               

Is it possible this mark could have been caused by the horizontal stand? It's in about the right position.

posted 05-07-2010 04:05 AM               

However, it's interesting that you say this sort of mark may be consistent with being put on the display stands; it makes me wonder if I have some form of ex-display version?