Dragon Models Apollo 11 Saturn V Spacecraft Building Kit, 1/72-Scale

Fast shipping and item arrived in perfect condition. This is one impressive model that is big enough to do all kinds of customizing.

Seemingly well made item so far. However, does require filing of areas where parts are removed from tabs.Item to consider, Rat tail file set with flat file for fine work.

Must have for all, how like space technics and space history. Requered gluing and painting. High about 1 meter, diametr about 120 milimeters.

This is a load of crap. Check out the pics, that's all I got. Not all the parts were included, and as you can see, not enough parts to make any form of the Saturn V rocket, much less than a 5 foot tall rocket. I'm so disappointed, and the cost to return is way more than I spent for this. Nice scam, China!!!

Waited for years for a 1/72 scale version ... where to put it? Apparently, it suffers a little on accuracy. But it looks like a Saturn V

If you aren't a serious modeler and are looking for a Just OK representation, large scale, of the nation's past monster launch vehicle, then you'll be happy with this kit. But detail accuracy freaks will be in for some suprises- the biggies: the fairings (4 of them) at the base of the 1st stage are mis-shappened and too short. There are umbilical panels all over all stages that are missing- not even molded in. The J-2 engine for the 3rd stage (S4b) is, well, it's looks like an H-1 engine, yet the 5 J-2s for the 2nd stage (the S-II) are reasonably OK. Why Dragon didn't mold 6 of the same is beyond me. The illustration on the box cover shows a see-through LM housing (the "SLA") and there's a statement to the effect that reads "actual housing is not transparent". Uh- YES, it is. And that's cool. Also the LES tower is transparent as well as the BPC (the cover over the command module- CM, that the LES [launch escape system] attaches to). IMHO the LES, BPC and SLA are decently detailed (though there is room for improvement). The detailing on the S-II aft end is a bit too bland- and the aft end of the S4b needs re-detailing (example- the helium bottles are molded in looking like tiny plates versus spheres). The LM_ overall, very cool has a descent stage that needs to have the main body made taller, other wise it could be OK as is. I'm re-working all the failings- that's what serious modelers do within their hobby. There's a giant-sized display base supplied- though one may be tempted to used it as a frisbee-like weapon. I bought this after studying plenty of images on the web knowing I had some work ahead of me (and some purchasing of after-market accessories). The height of the vehicle representation is 5 feet. And at 1/72nd scale there are enough available models in the same scale of all the other US manned space LVs to have a decent scale collection.BP

Dragons 1/72 scale Saturn V model kit (and the pre-built and painted display which is the same thing) when built at first is visually impressive due to it's sheer size. It's about 5 feet tall! But for anyone looking for even marginal accuracy, this model kit falls far short. Older Saturn V model kits at half the size and scale (1/144) by the likes of Monogram and Revell equal and in some ways even surpass detail and accuracy in this kit. Some parts of the 2nd and 3rd stage Thrust Structure and Engine(s) are positively toy-like and look nothing like the real thing.The Pros and Cons are as follows:Pros -> It's huge. It's the biggest plastic scale model of the rocket ever made.> The Apollo Command and Service Module and Lunar Module are reasonably accurate and detailed. They don't have interiors in the cabins though, the windows are simply decals.> The shroud or LM housing as well as the Command Module Boost Protective cover and Launch Escape Tower are molded from clear plastic so you can either paint them white like the rest of the rocket or leave them clear to see hidden spacecraft details like the stowed LM.> For someone who is a good modeler and wants to scratch build accurate additional details especially on the exterior, the bland generic outside of the 3 stages makes it easy to add those fiddly-parts like access panels, etc.The Cons ->Aside from the basic shape of the rocket itself, much of the basic details are wrong. The basic shapes of the stage's tank domes are wrong, the bottom of each stage's thrust structures are wrong to an astonishing degree. For instance, instead of actually using separate little sphere parts for the 3rd stage, there's a bunch of dimples that look like buttons molded into the thrust structure part. The 3rd stage engine part is a simple, featureless cone. The more you look, the more you'll find wrong or missing.> The Decals are very basic and in the wrong size and font. More or less, you just get the US Flags (x4), big USA(x4), "United States" (x4), and basic fin markings. No smaller position markings etc. There is an aftermarket decal set that corrects this issue at least.> The kit is not well engineered for stability. Basically, you're supposed to run a metal rod from the base through holes in the tank domes up through the 2nd stage from the rather flimsy base to keep this beast from toppling over if say, your cat's tail brushes against it.> Directions leave much to the imagination during assembly. Get to know this kit and how everything fits together *very* well before gluing anything.If you're more of a perfectionist when it comes to real space subjects, I would recommend the smaller (and slightly cheaper) but still impressive sized Fame Master $D Saturn V (1/100 scale = under 4 feet tall) which is not only more detailed and more accurate to it's subject, but is a cut-away display enabling you to see the insides of the rocket as well. Plus that model is pre-painted. Or you could go for the Bandai Apollo 11 or Apollo 13 Saturn Vs displays which are pre-built and painted ready to display 1/144 scale very accurately detailed representations of the Apollo moon rocket (but expensive at $400 - $500+).It should be noted that Dragon has ambitiously announced they play on releasing the Saturn V/Skylab configuration in the first quarter of 2014 also in 1/72 scale. Images from Dragons website indicate it's the same basic Saturn V kit as this one with a Skylab workshop and shroud instead of the Apollo spacecraft which will be as impressive scale-wise as this release is.