NASA in Plastic

I have gone on at some length about how the 1960's were a great time for space related products, and I have shared a few such items here. I think I will do it again! Today we have the AMT model kit, "Men in Space."

To be totally fair, this kit isn't really as much about "men" in space as it is about "red blooded American men" in space. You won't find any commies in this bunch! So, take that, Vostok!

This 1/200 scale kit is actually five kits that celebrate the U.S. manned space program of the 1960's. It features the Mercury Redstone, The Mercury Titan, The Gemini Atlas, The Saturn IB, and The Saturn V.

 The actual models are fairly small in 1/200 scale (which puts the Mercury Redstone standing at 4.75 inches and the Saturn V standing at 23 inches) but it is very interesting to see all five rockets in the correct scale relation to each other. I have used this kit to teach kids about the space program and they are always impressed as to how small our first manned rocket was and how tiny the Apollo capsule was.

Speaking of the Apollo capsule, it helps that all the rockets are actually stacks that come apart into individual stages. In addition, the Saturn IB and the Saturn V come with itty-bitty LEM's and the capsules open to show three teeny-tiny astronauts. The size of the men in relation to the rockets never fails to impress the kids.

Just as a side note, I want to point out that the plastic base didn't come with the kit. I also added 1/32" wire to the base that passes up through the models to keep everything from falling apart. 

The detail on the kits is pretty good for 1/200 scale. The paint schemes on my models are "non mission specific" so they really don't represent any particular mission. They can be painted however you like, of course.

This kit was out of production for a while (in fact, I had to get mine on eBay about 12 years ago) but it has been recently re-released by AMT/ Second Round as a "retro" kit. Its nice that you can walk in to Hobby Lobby and find it back on the shelf! 

So get to your local hobby shop and get yourself some plastic NASA history! 

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

The Quest For the Trek...

Well, happy 2015 everyone! I hope everyone had a safe and fun New Years!

Today, I am going to let you all in on a project I have had brewing in the dimmer recesses of my brain for quite some time. I don't normally let the cat out of the bag on ideas such as these, but telling about my Odyssey project actually made me get it done, so why not? Also, I have a request....but more on that later.

My current dream revolves around the Estes Star Trek Starter Set. As far as classic rockets go, this is not exactly one. All it really is is a plastic nose and fin can with a rather campy body tube decal containing Star Trek images. Still, it has a special place in my heart since I owned one as a kid. I can still remember launching it on a weekend in Caddo with my grandfather. Good times!

The set in the 1976 Estes catalog. Note the incorrect color.

A set on EBay. No, I didn't get it...

And now for my great idea... When I was first getting into the up-scale craze, I had the idea of doing thus rocket. This simple rocket in a large enough scale (say 4 inch diameter, for example) would really be impressive! The problem, however, is with the decals. It seems that since they contain licensed material, noone offers them. I did find a rather low-res scan a while back, but for an upscale, it simply wouldn't work. I even had what I thought was a generous bid on an unopened set being offered on EBay by James Gartrell's grandson, but I was literally outbid at the last second. Ugh!!!

So, this is my request....Can anyone out there point me to a high-res scan of the decals? If you can, I will give you full credit here! Just email me at stu29573@yahoo.com ! Please help, this project depends on you!

Ok, enough begging. Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

The Latest DARS News!!! (from 1977)

Well, campers, it is the end of yet another year. As we bid farewell to 2014, I thought I would take everyone on a trip back 37 years to when DARS was a mere five years old. Who could have guessed that all these years later the club would still be going strong?

For your reading pleasure, I present to you the November- December issue of the "D/FW Rocketeer." There are a couple of folks featured that still show up at launches from time to time. Chas Russell provides a rather amusing Star Wars parody, and I really wish I had part one of the Boles/ Boyd Interview, because Part Two is certainly worth a read. Who knows, I might even build a "Stinger!" So, it is with pleasure that I present our feature:

Happy New Year, everyone! And until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

Of Vulcans and Holiday Wishes

I'm pretty swamped with last minute Christmas-type stuff, so I thought I would let an old friend speak for me this week. Therefore, here you go!

So from all of us here at STB (basically me, my wife Laurie, and Alex the Wonder Dog...oh yeah, and the cats Pepper and Becky...) we wish you the merriest of Christmases and may all of your eggs be well nogged...

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

She Canna Take Any More Cap'in!!!

At this time of year, these words often spring to mind. I guess being of Scottish heritage myself, I've always been fond of Montgomery Scott (aka "Scotty"). If you doubt how tough he was, just remind yourself that he was the only guy in a red shirt that never died. Ok, I ripped that off from a Facebook meme, but its true! My daughter, Jessica, (who is also of Scottish heritage- go figure) gave me this for my birthday:

He stands guard in my office reminding me that even though it may seem that "she canna take any more...." she always did. And if push comes to shove, its always nice to have a phaser.

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

Modern History

Sometimes its very easy to get so focused on the past that one actually misses the world going on at the present. I often lament the fact that NASA has become a shadow of what it used to be; starved of funding by a short sighted administration in Washington, and unfocused in its mission (at least compared to the 1960's). However, there is hope. An event happened a few days ago that got relatively little time in the 24 hour news cycle, but it was a significant leap forward in man's exploration of space. For your viewing pleasure, I give you Orion...

http://youtu.be/hOHvCWCv5pk

Yes, Virginia, there is hope.

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

And you know what Thanksgiving means.....Christmas decorating! And you know what Christmas decorating means....Space related ornaments!!! So, since I'm kinda swamped with this job, I'll just give you a pre-tree taste! Here ya go!

From left to right we have:

The moon (ok, not an ornament, but I like it)
An LEM
The Galileo 7 (complete with Spock's voice!)
The Solar System
The Space Shuttle
A GI Joe Astronaut
The Enterprise
Marvin the Martian
A Klingon Bird of Prey (Nothing says "Peace on Earth" like a Klingon attack!)
A night sky globe (again, not an ornament...sue me)

So, there you have it. In moments they will all be on the tree and almost impossible to find! Well, I gotta get back to work!

Until next time, fly 'em fast and high!