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Author
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Topic: Desirability of X-37B contractor models
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Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 45
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
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posted 06-08-2025 08:33 PM
   
Does anyone have an opinion on how desirable these two models might be? Both are contractor's models from Pacific Miniatures. One is a standalone Boeing X-37B model, the other is shuttle Columbia with X-37B as its payload. They are high quality, heavy, with metal and resin cast parts it seems at least.  
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GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 3188
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-09-2025 04:38 AM
Pacific Miniatures is the typical "go to" company that manufactures use for display models. The X-37B is a nice model but typical of what is out there for an earlier model, but not it is not in operational livery.The Shuttle with X-37B is interesting as a concept model. The use of Columbia livery is interesting, indicating this was a concept in the 1990-2003 time frame. The stand configuration puts it in that era as well. What scale are the models? And if that is not known what size? |
Liembo
Member Posts: 900
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 06-09-2025 01:24 PM
I haven't seen a PacMin version of the space shuttle with such detailed payload door hinges. They are usually simple hinges at both ends. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 54694
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-09-2025 02:09 PM
Based on the minor yellowing of the orbiter, I wonder if someone built the X-37B to fit an older, separately-built model of Columbia. |
Liembo
Member Posts: 900
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 06-09-2025 03:38 PM
It could have also been closed most of its life, so no UV was getting to the inside to yellow it. |
Space Junk Punk
Member Posts: 45
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Jul 2021
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posted 06-11-2025 04:32 AM
The difference in yellowing is from the payload bay doors being closed for periods of time. They are definitely easy to open and close and the fitment aligns well too. Interesting note about the hinges... I do not know the scale for them, but the Shuttle model is about 23" long and the X37-B around 15". They both have good weight too, and seem pretty similar to the smaller shuttle model that crew members would hold in official NASA portraits. The engines on the shuttle are metal, maybe cast pewter? Seem like high quality. I just don't have a good reference point on how to gauge something like the X37-B. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 3188
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 06-11-2025 07:23 AM
You said "I do not know the scale for them, but the shuttle model is about 23" long and the X37-B around 15". Could you check those numbers as at 23" long that makes an odd scale of 1/64. By the way, metal engines are typical for large scale early models of the shuttle typically in 1/48 scale.Also, if the shuttle is 23" and the X-37B is 15" then the X-37B should be greater than half the length of the shuttle and it obviously not that.  |
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