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Author
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Topic: Hobby Master 1:200 Space Shuttle models
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cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-16-2017 08:17 AM
   
Hobby Master has just announced a 1/200 Space Shuttle Orbiter series. The first model is Space Shuttle Orbiter "Atlantis." - 1/200 scale die-cast metal with minimal use of plastic.
- All markings are tampo (pad) applied, no decals to discolor or flake.
- With space lab interior
- Bay doors can open
- Robotic arm can be posed (SRMS)
- Landing gear can be removed or added.
- Model comes with a display stand.
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51344
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-23-2017 10:38 AM
It is interesting to me how just about every diecast and many plastic model kits of the space shuttle use the same payload bay configuration as is again being used by Hobby Master here. I get that the Spacelab tunnel, module and pallet, with Canadarm, has an international appeal, offers a full payload bay scene, and is appropriate for the early shuttle era reflected by the orbiter's livery, but is there something more to it? Are they all just sharing a common mold? It would be great to see a diecast model or kit change things up and include a TDRS satellite, LDEF or a couple of comsat deployers (with interior comsat detail). With regards to Hobby Master specifically, I hope the latest pre-production shots reflect a pre-painted payload bay, as it seems somewhat bland to have a pure off-white color scheme. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-23-2017 10:54 AM
I agree regarding the payload bay configuration. It definitely lacks originality (to say the least) and it looks rather cheap with a too-much-plastic look. Hopefully they will correct this. I've emailed Hobby Master Collector. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-23-2017 11:05 AM
Comments will be forwarded to Hobby Master. Thanks to Hobby Master Collector. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-23-2017 12:54 PM
I was asked by Dave from Hobby Master Collector the following: Can you supply good photos or drawings of various payloads that can be used as reference? I.E. showing different angles of each piece. If you have any good ideas, let me know or email Dave. |
Panther494
Member Posts: 572
From: London UK
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 11-23-2017 06:07 PM
Will this just be a re-tooling of the Hasegawa kit? I hope not. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-23-2017 06:42 PM
I don't know which kit was copied — but that's what HM does, copy kits. It's probably the reason for payload similarities. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-23-2017 06:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
I If you have any good ideas, let me know or email Dave,
Well I vote for the Hubble Space Telescope, either STS-31 or STS-61. |
Panther494
Member Posts: 572
From: London UK
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 11-24-2017 01:15 AM
If it is the Hasegawa re-tooled, the Hubble would be simple as they have released both the Spacelab and the Hubble payloads. Hubble would also get my vote. Perhaps that's a future release Hobby Master is planning!! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-24-2017 04:24 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
Well I vote for the Hubble Space Telescope, either STS-31 or STS-61.
STS-31 was flown by Discovery and STS-61 by Endeavour. STS-125 is the only flown mission to Hubble by Atlantis.In my opinion, the Atlantis model should depict one of her missions. See below. The actual pre-production photo of the cargo bay is a configuration that I haven't seen on any of Atlantis' missions (Spacehab and pallets were used for science missions; no sign of Spacelab). Atlantis is well-known (to me) for the Shuttle-Mir and ISS assembly missions. But also the Magellan Venus probe, the Galileo Jupiter probe and the Compton (GRO) observatory deployments. One mission to deploy TDRS satellite and one Hubble mission. So my suggestion for a payload bay would be (providing that there are documents that describes the payload in detail — no Google, Hobby Master cannot use that): - STS-30 Magellan
- STS-34 Galileo
- STS-37 Compton GRO
- STS-71 First MIR docking / payload bay similar to the pre-production photo.
- STS-74 Mir Docking module mission
- STS-98 Destiny module to the ISS
- STS-122 Columbus module to the ISS
- STS-125 Hubble servicing mission 4
Now those missions need proper documentation. Any other "worth mentioning"? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51344
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-24-2017 06:48 AM
Based on the model itself, the only Atlantis missions that can be accurately reflected are those flown between 1985 and 1992. Atlantis was then modified to include a drag chute, which changed the shape of its vertical stabilizer.Note that as detailed in the pre-production photos, Atlantis is missing the black tiles on its right OMS pod (for its first two missions onwards) and left pod (beginning with STS-27 in 1988). There are other exterior markings missing as well. An excellent reference can be found here. Back to the payload configuration, the shape of the vertical stabilizer would limit the choices to missions STS-46 or earlier. If you overlooked (or changed) the tail, then you could include up through STS-86, as after that the livery changed to use the NASA meatball logo, rather than the worm. Given those limits, I would go with either Magellan (STS-30), Galileo (STS-34) or TDRS (STS-43). |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-24-2017 07:14 AM
Wow! Thanks Robert. A really sharp analysis of the pre-production model. I focused only on the payload bay.And I agree with your choices. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-24-2017 07:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
STS-31 was flown by Discovery and STS-61 by Endeavour. STS-125 is the only flown mission to Hubble by Atlantis.
Who decided we were restricted to talking about this release? HM are fully capable of releasing orbiters other than Atlantis. But yes, I agree that it would be nice if this release reflected an Atlantis mission. At the moment it doesn't accurately reflect any Atlantis configuration.
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David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-24-2017 07:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Back to the payload configuration, the shape of the vertical stabilizer would limit the choices to missions STS-46 or earlier.
HM knows all about the drag chute but they're waiting to see what sales are like before committing to future changes such as a full stack etc. The more people that contact them and show interest the better. I will say that having worked with them for many years, getting multiple payloads tooled is going to be a hard sell. Especially if they're only appropriate for a single release. These models aren't really aimed at us. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-24-2017 09:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by David C:
Who decided we were restricted to talking about this release?
Hmm, not sure I get your point. I guess I'm the one who suggested a possible restriction if the model has open payload bay doors. I'm not sure collectors would agree to buy an Atlantis model with a cargo bay flown by another orbiter. The current configuration could be used on another orbiter model. To what extent it's financially feasible I don't know.But you're right, HM will probably produce other orbiters. quote:
These models aren't really aimed at us.
So who's the target audience? If as you say the more people get in touch with HM the better, how come those models are not aimed at us? I'm confused. quote:
...getting multiple payloads tooled is going to be a hard sell.
And yet isn't what Dragon Models did? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51344
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-24-2017 11:07 AM
I agree, given the detail (or lack thereof) in the pre-production photos, that we — space history enthusiasts — are not Hobby Master's target audience for this model. I would say they are targeting more of the space museum gift shop crowd, and/or general diecast collector. Dragon started off much like Hobby Master, looking to only make minor changes to repackage their existing molds. But for a short while they found a niche market among space history enthusiasts and so catered to them (at least within their 1:400 scale line). |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-24-2017 12:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I would say they are targeting more of the space museum gift shop crowd, and/or general diecast collector.
Exactly, but if enough "serious" collectors contact them (oh, and actually buy the models), that may change. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-24-2017 12:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
HM will probably produce other orbiters.
No probably about it, they will. HM are not Bandai, their business model does not support producing new toolings for themselves with only single releases. As for collectors not agreeing to buy Atlantis with the wrong payload - I'm afraid you're incorrect. Plenty will if it looks good. Most collectors neither know nor care about different payloads. As I implied, there's loads more people out there buying diecast than just us. We are a niche. I wish it were different, but that's just how it is. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1372
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 11-24-2017 03:48 PM
Interesting discussion.I've also long wondered why so many Shuttle releases — both display models and kits — are wedded to that Spacelab configuration. I'd buy a Hubble or even a TDRS payload-configured model in a second. Hopefully someone at Hobby Master is listening.  |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-25-2017 05:03 AM
Interesting indeed.Am I to conclude that the model is not suited for collectors because of its lack of technical accuracy and thus would be more suitable for an audience which would cut Hobby Master some slack about those inaccuracies? And if the target audience is museum visitors, the model still goes for $83 which seems quite a lot for non collectors and space enthusiasts. Models made by Model Power (for example) seem more appropriate for a museum — I may completely wrong on this one. quote:
Originally posted by GoesTo11:
Hopefully someone at Hobby Master is listening.
Robert's sharp analysis of the Atlantis model will be forwarded to Hobby Master according to Dave from Hobby Master Collector. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 11-26-2017 01:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
Robert's sharp analysis of the Atlantis model will be forwarded to Hobby Master according to Dave from Hobby Master Collector.
And now it gets interesting. Fingers crossed. |
Pearson
Member Posts: 12
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015
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posted 01-03-2018 05:57 AM
I am considering getting this model and if HM doesn't take any suggestions, I will do the customization myself. From making my own payload to the correct Atlantis markings. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 01-31-2018 03:33 AM
Discovery and Endeavour are announced. |
David C
Member Posts: 1415
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 04-05-2018 04:12 AM
Pictures of the final product first release are now surfacing. It looks the OMS pod black tiles and (wrongly shaped) brake chute housing were the main changes. Anyone wishing to detail the (incorrect) payload will have plenty of opportunity, it's all over plain white.Can't say I'm surprised and I'll be saving my dough. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-08-2018 09:59 AM
Two new (?) versions of Discovery and Endeavour are announced. I'm curious to see what — if any — differences will be offered with respect to the previous release. - HL1404
Space Shuttle
Endeavour, OV-105
December 4, 1998 - HL1405
Space Shuttle
Discovery OV-103
October 29, 1998
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cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-09-2018 04:49 AM
From Hobby Master: The only difference is the paint scheme. These shuttles used NASA "meatball" logo. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 03-16-2020 01:45 AM
Latest models announced: - HL1406
Space Shuttle "first mission" mission
STS-1 OV-102 "Columbia"
April 12, 1981 - HL1407
Space Shuttle mission 51-L
OV-099 "Challenger"
January 1986
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cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 04-21-2022 11:06 AM
Latest model announced: - HL1408: Space Shuttle Enterprise Edward Air Base, 1977
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cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 04-13-2023 10:26 AM
Has Enterprise ever been seen with a Spacelab module and a robotic arm? Pictures can be seen here. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51344
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-13-2023 06:57 PM
To my knowledge, the real Enterprise was never outfitted with Spacelab, but this is not the first model to do so. In 1978, Revell released a model kit "Enterprise and Space Lab: The World's First Reusable Orbital System." Monogram did the same as part of its Snap-Tite line of kits. And around the same time, Ertl sold a diecast model of Enterprise with a plastic Spacelab inside the orbiter's payload bay. So maybe we just consider this Hobby Master model as a tribute to those early toys rather than to the real orbiter itself. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6356
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 11-10-2023 04:00 AM
Another "version" of Enterprise is announced by Hobby Master: - Space Shuttle Enterprise Intrepid Museum, New York
Product code HL1409
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 51344
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-10-2023 10:44 AM
I realize this probably won't happen, but it would be neat if this Enterprise model came with a stand and some of the exhibit build-out so as to give it context as to why it is specifically the Intrepid version. For example, in the museum's space shuttle pavilion there is raised platform in front of Enterprise to allow visitors to be at eye level with the orbiter's nose. A miniature of this stand would go a long way to placing Enterprise model into its setting. |
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