Author
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Topic: Dragon Wings 1:400 Titan rockets w/launch pads
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cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 03-30-2011 08:36 AM
Here's Dragon Wings 1:400 Titan IIIC with launch pad, #56228. |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 08-17-2011 09:40 AM
Another "version" of this model is announced, labeled "maiden flight" (different nose cone color?). |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-17-2011 12:59 PM
That is one smart retailer, he must know our minds. "It is different so we shall buy." |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 08-17-2011 01:43 PM
I'd like to see one with Dyna-Soar sitting on top. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42982 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-16-2011 08:20 AM
Announced today, 1:400 Titan IIIC MOL with launch pad: |
E2M Lem Man Member Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 09-19-2011 04:56 PM
This was an early Titan IIIC flight — #5 or so — pretty soon we can do the whole early program, even the 1968 first night flight that was done for the movie "Marooned" (carrying the XRV lifting body).When can we expect this release? |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 09-20-2011 08:25 AM
It now appears on Dragon's website. |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 09-20-2011 04:04 PM
I have to admit I've been resisting the urge to get these because I prefer to build my launch vehicles as opposed to getting pre-built stuff. But, the MOL version is VERY tempting as that is my favorite Titan III configuration (probably because it is so tall). |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-08-2011 08:59 AM
Announced today, 1:400 Titan IIIE with launch pad: |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-08-2011 09:33 AM
Will they add "Viking" or "Voyager" on the box? |
jjknap Member Posts: 273 From: Bourbonnais, IL USA Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 11-08-2011 10:49 PM
The Titan IIIE is the one I want. It launched Viking and Voyager (and Helios) and I think it is the best looking of the Titan III series |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 11-09-2011 03:56 AM
I would concur with that assessment. I have an Estes 1/73 scale Titan IIIE kit in my stash. I wish Estes would reissue it one day as it builds into a very nice looking rocket (and that way I can do one stock and the other as the III MOL launcher using a leftover Estes Gemini capsule nosecone. |
cycleroadie Member Posts: 452 From: Apalachin, NY USA Registered: May 2011
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posted 11-18-2011 12:24 PM
The Titan IIIC MOL has hit the coast, expect your vendor to have it in stock shortly. |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-23-2011 09:03 AM
Announced today, Titan IIIE w/Launch Pad "SLC-41":What's the difference compared to the previous IIIE? The launch pad? All Titan IIIE launches took place from SLC-41... It would have made more sense to differentiate the two by mentioning the payload (Viking and Voyager) for example with a photo of the probes or something that would add value to the model (and entice customers to buy them all). |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-23-2011 02:41 PM
For example: Take the display stand of the Shuttle Memorable missions (eg. DM-56372 Challenger); the background image could be made of the mission patch (Viking, Voyager), a NASA logo, a picture of the spacecraft launched aboard that particular Titan IIIE; add the rocket on its pad and cover the whole thing with the protective casing you find on Dragon shuttle models DM-56259 or DM-56214. Then, you would have a winner. Just a thought. |
jjknap Member Posts: 273 From: Bourbonnais, IL USA Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 12-23-2011 05:04 PM
quote: Originally posted by cspg: Then, you would have a winner. Just a thought.
That is a fantastic idea! |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 12-23-2011 08:18 PM
It is this habit of Dragon re-releasing something with only a minor repaint that worries me a little. I mean, I can understand collectors buying multiple shuttles. But, would they really buy multiple Titan IIICs or IIIEs with just a tiny repaint of either the payload shroud or the first stage? MOL at least is unique at a glance. To date they have only done one version of the Atlas V, in the configuration of the X-37B launcher (unless they perhaps did New Horizons as well). At least Atlas V had some different SRM strap-ons attached to it.I just hope this tactic doesn't end up sinking the whole pre-built line in the process as lets be frank, there aren't that many collectors of space memorabilia out there and I doubt we would tolerate too many duplicates. |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-24-2011 01:47 AM
quote: Originally posted by Jay Chladek: I doubt we would tolerate too many duplicates.
Hence my suggestion!
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PeterO Member Posts: 399 From: North Carolina Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-24-2011 05:05 AM
quote: Originally posted by Jay Chladek: I can understand collectors buying multiple shuttles. But, would they really buy multiple Titan IIICs or IIIEs with just a tiny repaint of either the payload shroud or the first stage?
In a word, yes. Looking at it from the standpoint of space collectors like us, you're probably correct. However, Dragon's intended market is the diecast aviation collector. In 1/400 scale diecast airliners, the minutiae of slightly different paint schemes and registration numbers is what makes the hobby go. The collector wants and expects these variations. For instance, there are hundreds of variations of Japan Air Lines planes to choose from, and collectors will pay a lot for a particular variant. Many collectors collect all versions of a particular aircraft or airline, and Dragon is only one of several players in the field. From that point of view, if Dragon can entice 10% of the 1/400 airliner market to purchase at least one of their 1/400 space subjects, they will have quite a large market. If a Japanese airliner collector is grabbed by the 1/400 H-II rocket, they may start a sub-collection of rockets and other Dragon space models. Dragon's many shuttle and SCA models have been very successful, so there's every reason to believe their 1/400 launchers will do just as well. Even among space collectors, having multiple choices is good. I have no particular interest in the first Titan IIIs that Dragon released, but the MOL and Voyager variants will find a home in my collection. |
alexbaja Member Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
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posted 12-24-2011 09:59 AM
Why not offer one unpainted model with all the necessary parts and decals for your own personal configuration. It would be much easier for Dragon and for us collectors we can do what ever model we want to depict. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42982 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-24-2011 10:19 AM
quote: Originally posted by alexbaja: Why not offer one unpainted model...
I suspect there are far more people who would pay for finished models than those who would have the time, patience and skill to paint them. I certainly fit into that category — I would have no desire for an unpainted model but would (and have) gladly paid for multiple models of the same vehicle ready to display... |
Gilbert Member Posts: 1328 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 12-24-2011 11:09 AM
I am still hoping for a Titan III with a Dyna-Soar orbiter perched on top. That would be awesome. |
jjknap Member Posts: 273 From: Bourbonnais, IL USA Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 12-24-2011 12:45 PM
quote: Originally posted by Gilbert: I am still hoping for a Titan III with a Dyna-Soar orbiter perched on top.
That would be cool! |
alexbaja Member Posts: 448 From: Naxxar, Malta Registered: Dec 2010
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posted 12-24-2011 02:22 PM
quote: Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I suspect there are far more people who would pay for finished models than those who would have the time, patience and skill to paint them.
I agree with you as it is a much easier way to obtain and display models in this way. Let's hope that Dragon will keep on doing what they are doing and find a large enough market for all the models they are producing. |
PeterO Member Posts: 399 From: North Carolina Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-24-2011 05:47 PM
quote: Originally posted by alexbaja: Why not offer one unpainted model...
Dragon has offered "white body" models of airliners, which have a plain white fuselage with just windows and doors, but no airline livery. They only issued 5 different planes in 2000-2001, so it must not have been popular with collectors. |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 12-24-2011 10:07 PM
I concur with Robert. I am a space modeler, so I have the skill to do a sharp repaint. But, not everybody can do what I can as it is a lot harder than it looks.Of course, part of the problem with Dragon's undecorated white airliners is to my knowledge, nobody was doing 1/400 airliner decals. There are aftermarket decal producers out there for airline model kits, but they try and stay under the radar so as not to incur the wrath of livery licensing and royalty fees by the airlines, because they know the market is too small to really support them if they had to pay for every livery they make. You may be right about enticing 10% of the airliner collector market to purchase the boosters. But, airliners tend to be more familiar to people. Rockets on the other hand branch out into the more unfamiliar realm. I myself share an interest in both (and I have collected NASCAR and race car diecasts) so I know some of the collecting nature first hand. But believe me when I say that 10% might be a bit optimistic. 1% seems more likely. Plus, with the airliner liveries, the production numbers tend to stay low and the prices for 1/400 airliners are also relatively inexpensive compared to what Dragon is asking for some of the rockets in this scale, not to mention the later generation Apollo mission spacecraft in 1/72 scale. If Dragon isn't careful, they are going to flood the market with too much product too fast and they'll end up bursting the bubble in the process. If it can happen with something as popular as NASCAR (and it did about three years ago), then it certainly can happen with miniatures of space hardware. |
jjknap Member Posts: 273 From: Bourbonnais, IL USA Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 10-12-2012 08:59 PM
The Titan IIIE (the one with the gold color that launched Voyager and Viking) is in at Flying Mule as they shipped mine today. I think this is one of the "prettiest" rockets we ever flew http://www.flyingmule.com/products/DM-56343
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cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-27-2013 01:37 PM
As with their Delta rockets, Dragon is offering a grouping of three Titan rockets with their launch pads. Product #56395 for an August release. |
cspg Member Posts: 6210 From: Geneva, Switzerland Registered: May 2006
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posted 08-28-2013 05:08 AM
The set is available for $62.99 (Flying Mule). |