1/72nd Scale Mercury™-Atlas Plastic Model Kit

the model was fine, but the shipping packaging was crap as the box was crushed and some parts were damaged.

I first saw this recently released kit on eBay, and as usual, I Googled it to find out more. No surprise, the eBay cost was inflated, but manufacturer's website (www.horizon-models.com) gives the MRSP. They welcome direct orders and pointed to Amazon as an alternate retail source. When shipping is added, the price becomes essentially the same either way.The box art on the back shows the three configurations you can built, and you are able to build and mark any Mercury-Atlas mission.Markings for the Atlas booster are comprehensive for all the same missions, including the smallest stencils, etc. These are essentially operation markings and could be used to make an operational Atlas ICBM if you replace the capsule and adapter with a warhead. Note that decals for the “Mercury-Atlas” title are provided in black and white so you can paint your stand whatever color you want and not have to worry about that. I would cut the little Registered Trademark symbol from these titles before applying. Now that we have covered my own peculiar favorite point of interest (the decals), we can move to the plastic and etch.The plastic comes on four trees (yes, the correct term), each sealed in its own plastic bag. The etched fret is in a small zipbag and is inside a larger zipbag along with the decals and instructions. Now a few words about the capsule parts. You get the boilerplate “Little Joe” in its Mercury version. Most of us will want to do a manned (or “monkeyed”) mission. The standard parts are for the windowed (later) capsule and the window is molded in, not transparent. The etched fret contains the parts you need to effect conversion to the port-holed (early) version, Again, the etch portholes are solid and I would never try to drill them out. Perhaps a punch and die set would work. Looks like there is enough spare area on the fret for two practice tries if it means that much to you.The kit is efficiently packed in a box that minimizes airspace. It goes right between Dragon's Mercury-Redsone and Apollo-Saturn stacks. To fill the next hole (Gemini-Titan), you still need to go resin. Check RealSpace Models.(This is my kit review for IPMS-DC.)

A rare find.

great product, now I need a gemini rocket.

Excellent molding of a launch vehicle not often represented. Great addition to other recent 1/72 space offerings and the basis for fantastic scratch building of other equipment launches. Only plus would be if the booster skirt would have been molded for staging.

A real beauty. Uncomplicated build. Easy directions. Lots of options for the various Mercury versions. It comes with a nice display stand. It looks great in my model room.

Perfect scale

A fine kit that makes a nice compliment to my Skylab Saturn V rocket.