Space 1999: Eagle Transporter
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Kit Review
It's been 40 years since Space 1999 graced the screens and in the interim we have had various kits of the Eagle Transport, this one from MPC is all-new and in 1/48th scale, so it's big.
Inside the long box you will find 30 sprues moulded in an off-white colour with many of them joined together, plus eight in medium grey-coloured plastic. The kit is completed with two sprues of clear plastic (actually one sprue cut in two), four springs and two screws. The instructions are typical of MPC, being folded down to a square format from a large horizontal panel. The assembly is achieved in 40 stages and the nature of the original model is such that much of the assembly also has to be duplicated two, three or even four times. Detail throughout is excellent with a lot of the parts being very familiar to modellers, as the original models were detailed using a mass of kit parts (Panther engine decks, V8 engine blocks and 1/144th Apollo capsules being instantly recognisable), so this is very much a 'model of a model'! The split of parts between off-white and grey is well thought out, as the latter mainly comprise the engine exhausts, which would have to be painted in a suitable mix of metallic shades, and the landing legs, which were grey originally anyway. The four springs mean that these latter items also function, thus ensuring your model sits nice and level once completed; although you will need cyanoacrylate to secure these springs to the oleo legs.
Colour Options
The decal sheet offers all the various markings around the vessel, so you get a load of Letraset technical symbols, as these were used on the original models! You also get black panels around the nose and a full section of badges, in all their various forms, for either side of the nose. All the markings for the side pods are included and the instructions clearly show how these are orientated, which is useful when you are making four that all have specific location/orientation.
Conclusion
This is a mega impressive kit, both in size and detail. The moulding is typical of MPC, although we suspect the tooling originates in China. There is a bit of flash here and there, all confined to the sprues though, so nothing to worry about. Once built this is going to be one big model, so it is most highly recommended to all sci-fi and 'cult' TV model fans.
Just as a quick note, if you have not pre-ordered one of these, you won't get one for quite a while, as the first production batch is already sold out on pre-order and the second batch is a good few months away. The other thing is the price, nothing for certain has been mentioned in the UK, but it seems likely this one will be around £129 and you certainly get a LOT of model for your money.
It's been 40 years since Space 1999 graced the screens and in the interim we have had various kits of the Eagle Transport, this one from MPC is all-new and in 1/48th scale, so it's big.
Inside the long box you will find 30 sprues moulded in an off-white colour with many of them joined together, plus eight in medium grey-coloured plastic. The kit is completed with two sprues of clear plastic (actually one sprue cut in two), four springs and two screws. The instructions are typical of MPC, being folded down to a square format from a large horizontal panel. The assembly is achieved in 40 stages and the nature of the original model is such that much of the assembly also has to be duplicated two, three or even four times. Detail throughout is excellent with a lot of the parts being very familiar to modellers, as the original models were detailed using a mass of kit parts (Panther engine decks, V8 engine blocks and 1/144th Apollo capsules being instantly recognisable), so this is very much a 'model of a model'! The split of parts between off-white and grey is well thought out, as the latter mainly comprise the engine exhausts, which would have to be painted in a suitable mix of metallic shades, and the landing legs, which were grey originally anyway. The four springs mean that these latter items also function, thus ensuring your model sits nice and level once completed; although you will need cyanoacrylate to secure these springs to the oleo legs.
Colour Options
The decal sheet offers all the various markings around the vessel, so you get a load of Letraset technical symbols, as these were used on the original models! You also get black panels around the nose and a full section of badges, in all their various forms, for either side of the nose. All the markings for the side pods are included and the instructions clearly show how these are orientated, which is useful when you are making four that all have specific location/orientation.
Conclusion
This is a mega impressive kit, both in size and detail. The moulding is typical of MPC, although we suspect the tooling originates in China. There is a bit of flash here and there, all confined to the sprues though, so nothing to worry about. Once built this is going to be one big model, so it is most highly recommended to all sci-fi and 'cult' TV model fans.
Just as a quick note, if you have not pre-ordered one of these, you won't get one for quite a while, as the first production batch is already sold out on pre-order and the second batch is a good few months away. The other thing is the price, nothing for certain has been mentioned in the UK, but it seems likely this one will be around £129 and you certainly get a LOT of model for your money.
