Atlantis Atlas Rocket w/Mercury Capsule John Glenn 1/110 Scale Model Kit Build Review H1833

On February 20, 1962, John Herschel Glenn, Jr. piloted the Mercury Atlas "Friendship 7 " spacecraft on America's first manned orbital mission of the Earth. After Launching from Kennedy Space center in Florida, Glenn successfully completed a three-orbit mission around the Planet. The Mission lasted 4 hours, 55 minutes, and 23 seconds from launch to impact, and during it Glenn reached an orbital velocity of 17,500 miles hour and a maximum altitude of approximately 162 miles. The flight was received with great enthusiasm and relief in the United States and many other countries, it also gave the United States even more hope of someday reaching the moon.
Measures 12.75 Inches high over 20 inches long
Scale Modeling
Scale Models

[@hpiguy]

Relive the space race with your own kit of the Atlas Rocket from Atantis! www.atlantis-models.com/atlasrocketwithmercurycapsule1110.aspx

[@alwoodsmodellingmayhem]

I know you may not see this comment. But I was struggling with trying to work out how to assemble a part to this. Then I remembered your video and was able to see where it went. So thank a lot.👍👍😉

[@hpiguy]

Glad I could help!

[@paaat001]

This is an awesome trip down memory lane. I have built two of these over time. I was a 12 YO kid at Altus AFB in Oklahoma when Atlas missiles were deployed there in silos. Later when I was in the USAF myself, at Vandenberg AFB, we used these facilities as a workshops for Minuteman post launch pad refurb facilities. We worked out of the large hanger bays underneath the pads. One very small detail I remember was, the Nitrogen carts were not yellow. They were dark blue with white tops.

[@corkcamden9878]

When I was 6 years old, my teenage friend built models and this one was one I watched him build. Imagine my delight and surprise when I saw the re-release of this superb model. It was even better than I remember it. Believe it or not, my friend's name was Bunker Hill and he lived in Wilmington, Delaware. My father had moved the family there to do his ER internship before setting up a family practice in Virginia in the early 60's. Mr. Hill, if perchance you are reading this , thank you for setting me on a hobby which evolved into a career and provided me with the most satisfying living I could've ever wished. Thank you, Mama, for encouraging me towards model building which never became just "a job". Fortunate I am!

[@hpiguy]

Cool story!

[@p40f20]

This kit was originally released back in the late 50's as the Atlas ICBM. It was later modified to be the project Mercury Friendship 7. The kit is surprisingly accurate to the actual launch pad at Cape Canaveral. It's just too bad that Revel did not also mold the mobile launch tower to go with it.

[@hpiguy]

Good info, thanks for filling us in!

[@hertzair1186]

p40f20 : I built the kit as the Atlas ICBM as I was able to get ICBM nosecone off eBay...

[@anthonyguerrieri6494]

Yes I recall this model also, and still have one unbuilt!

[@ezridax5809]

It's so awesome to see these old kits being reproduced.

[@brianc1701]

According to the Scalemates website this kit was originally released in 1962. I remember building it as a kid. Bought the kit at the Visitors Information Center Gift Shop at the Cape. Also have a Monogram History Makers re-release in the stash. I grew up in the area and watched the space program from its beginnings to present day as my father worked at the Cape. Incredible place to be at an incredible time! The transport cradle supported and actually stretched the unfueled Atlas booster, as the aluminum structure was so thin it would otherwise collapse. The fuel and oxidizer actually added structural support

[@tuddrussell]

I built a space capsule out of a box for my granddaughter (cut a round 'hatch' and color printed some aircraft control panels that we pasted in and gave her a emergency storage box glued to the wall (empty tissue box)) and went to Hobby Lobby to buy some astronaut ice cream for her voyage (I put on some space footage videos on the tv and move the capsule so that is all she could see out of the cockpit window) and just found this kit on sale for $7.49. Instant buy! Thanks for this review and now I know what to expect.

[@hpiguy]

Enjoy!

[@passwordbosco407]

Oh my God I couldn't believe it when I came across this video. I won this exact model at a science fair at school when I was 13 or 14 I believe. That would have been 1970 or '71. I have tried describing this model to people and looking for it but no one could help me until now. THANK YOU !

[@hpiguy]

Oh wow, very cool! Get it and have fun with the memories!

[@evaforever4525]

@@hpiguy huh

[@occamsrayzor]

I'm back for another viewing. I had one of these when I was eleven years old, and it was one of my most treasured models, so I'm super excited to have just bought one of these on Amazon. Technically, it's a Christmas present from my wife, so I'm looking forward to unwrapping it on Christmas morning. Now I appreciate memory is very fallible, but I'm almost certain that the original kit parts for the vehicles and transport trailer were moulded in yellow plastic.

[@hpiguy]

Enjoy!

[@fw1421]

I built this way back in the early 60’s when I was maybe 9-10 years old.

[@garyparker2969]

Super Cooolll Build up Chris, My Sister got Me The "Original" 1st Release for My 10th Bday, I Built n painted it Completely on My Own,, loved it for Ever. Thanks for the Memories n God Bless All

[@hpiguy]

That's great, now you can relive the memories!

[@DavidMartin-ym2te]

I had this is 1970 from Revell. I seem to recall that all the modelling mags at the time pointed out that the Atlas was a very slightly different scale from the Mercury - the capsule is a larger scale - you can see the adapter piece is slightly larger when compared to photos of the original. When your 14 however, you don't care - awesome kit and really brave of Revell to make it in the 60s. Thanks for reviewing.

[@hpiguy]

I'm 43 and I don't care either. It looks cool and is a fun build that makes a sweet display. Thanks!

[@interlinkplus8236]

This kit was one of (if not THE) first builds I did as a kid. Would have gone forgotten if not for the truck and gantry trailer triggering the memory. My Grandparents who lived near the Cape brought it for me for Christmas, must have been around 1965-7.

[@hpiguy]

Thank you and thanks for stopping by the channel and watching! facebook.com/hpiguysworkshop

[@charlesmcclure5994]

Man o man what a flash back, my Dad gave me that kit for my 6th birthday. Even with his help it still was a glue bomb, but I loved it any way. Got to git it

[@hpiguy]

Very cool, enjoy it!

[@maryfiltz800]

Something different again. Fun to look back at the Friendship 7. Love all the little details in there.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Mary!

[@kenrobinson5176]

Love your work, 'Hipguy'. Only one, nitpicking, comment; slow down. Us model makers like to move at a different pace to to todays world. Looking forward to building this one.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks! But I build for me, at my personal speed and will continue to do so. You should build for you, at your personal speed. Take care!

[@ksurah]

I remember this kit from the 60's. My family had a friend who worked for Revell in California. When we visited on vacation we got to select a model the family friend brought home. These were the misfit kits he got, but what a collection he had to choose from. This was a kit I put together before an unfortunate, highly flammable, rocket fuel spill took it out with the help of 3 firecrackers and a sparkle stick. Glorious destruction.

[@hpiguy]

And now you can build it again!

[@radioactivelarry]

I have the original Revell kit signed by a real NASA Astronaut! Now I can build the Atlantis kit and save my original. Great review, you make them look cool.

[@hpiguy]

Cool!

[@thomasallen3818]

I built that model back in the 60’s when I 14 or 15 years old. It really took me back it my youth. It’s nice to see a company bring back a bit of history.

[@hpiguy]

Grab one and relive the fun!

[@adriengadson3544]

Nice kit , and I remember seeing some of those old kits as a kid even though I couldn't afford them. Good to know they are being released again . I can afford to get a few now since I'm old!

[@hpiguy]

That's right, and your skills have gotten better likely too. Enjoy!

[@cy2087]

You know hpiguy, I think I'm falling in love with Atlantis. First the UFO kits. Now, kits like you said, that I never expected to see again. I built this when I was maybe 9 or 10. Loved it too! Just like you said, we built and the REAL modellers painted them up. With Testors, not house paint I'll have you know lol. (or maybe Pactra in a pinch.) Sadly, I just found out that Atlantis won't be re-releasing one of my favorites. The Aurora Sea-Lab III kit. They couldn't get enough pre-orders for it. I'm still hoping they will do the old "Space Patrol" set with the 2 different re-configurable space craft. Don't know if you remember that one. Shame to hear about Revell though. I was once a member of their 'Master Modeller's Club' back in the 60's. But this is great and it's great of you to show us all these neat re-releases and kits man. Thanks again, and yes, I subbed. Couldn't help it given the great content lol.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks!

[@hertzair1186]

Built the Atlas ICBM version of this kit....makes a great diorama....added a scratch built Cape Canaveral terrain base and actually found a 1/110 Sikorsky H-19 helicopter to add to it.

[@BuggsOgden]

I built this one back in 1960, I was about 12 and I remember it was molded in 3 colors, white yellow and gray. This was a nice feature because in those days most of us kids built models to play with and didn't bother with paint. Sooo good to see this one back in circulation, lots of fun memories.

[@hpiguy]

Cool, grab it again and enjoy! facebook.com/hpiguysworkshop

[@deltatango5765]

I had a lot of these models that you build on your channel back in the 60s. I was a total NASA nerd and was lucky enough to watch many of the flights live on TV, beginning with Alan Shepard's. I had some of my models hanging from the ceiling with fishing string, including the Command and Lunar Module. I had this one, a gemini ship, a model of Ed White spacewalking, X-15, 3rd stage of the Saturn V, and a few more. I loved being surrounded by these every day. So great to see them again. I am now working on a new Lunar Module and loving it!

[@DA_Doog]

I’m getting this for my birthday in 3 days

[@sergei6572]

My best wishes to you from Russia! A great gift! I was one year old when John Glenn went on a flight on this rocket. Decades passed, and in 1994 I decided to write him a letter in which I told him about my passion for the history of the development of space programs in the USA and the USSR, and to my joy he replied by sending his autographed photo along with the letter. It is very good that you are watching such an informative video, it is very important not to forget and remember the great history of learning new and largely unknown and of course the people involved in this. Good luck!

[@good2us1]

Awesome job! Looks great! I'm inspired by your ability with the rattle cans, great work. Thanks for posting.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Daryl!

[@averagemodeler]

That is a sweet kit. Love the paint as new. Sometimes we go too crazy with the weathering stuff and forget that something was new once. Great build

[@hpiguy]

I agree, thanks!

[@pandaphil]

Seems like a quick and easy build. Looks good too! Thanks for sharing! Adding this to my wish list. Knowing me, I'll go weathering happy. :)

[@hpiguy]

Sweet, thanks for watching!

[@ronroberts2453]

Excellent build & presentation Chris!!

[@hpiguy]

Thank you Ron!

[@27Fan4Ever]

Just a thought for those builders out there... highly recommended reference is the book “NASA Mercury Owners' Workshop Manual” by Dr. David Baker. It has a HUGE amount of information! By coincidence I was reading it earlier this week and it is just loaded with information about USA’s first space ship. Very helpful photos to get all of the details right too!

[@cy2087]

Thanks for the heads up. Definitely something for space aficionados to check out.

[@constpegasus]

I’ve never seen a kit like this before. An incredible job.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks man!

[@03221955]

Bought it last night on eBay for$24.75. Not bad for a weekend of fun. Models are not that expensive now. I remember this kit when I was younger, not passing it by this time. Keep up the good work

[@caseyrupert7611]

Love your comment on flashing. Most model magazine reviews act like flashing is a deal breaker. This industry will die if their product isn't fun. Thank you for selling the fun factor!

[@hpiguy]

Yup, it's not really a big deal, but some love to pretend it's the end of the world. Thanks man! facebook.com/hpiguysworkshop

[@bobastu]

Great build, totally enjoyed it. This is my first time seeing this model kit, but my dad and I watched The Right Stuff quite a few times on cable in the 80's, and I owned it on VHS. Thanks!

[@hpiguy]

Nice, enjoy!

[@UncleScorch]

Thanks for this upload, Chris! So happy that Atlantis picked up the baton and decided to run with re-releasing these old masterpieces.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks for watching Jim!

[@MrModelworx]

Very very cool Chris, way better than I thought it was going to look !

[@hpiguy]

I appreciate that! Thanks Gary!

[@andersdenkend]

Pretty awesome kit for its age. Something I am still planning on buying. Nice to see it being built.

[@hpiguy]

Go for it!

[@urdude67]

Thanks! I learned so much from this video. Getting back into the hobby as an old fahrt. Slowly learning details and patience. I also liked the music.

[@hpiguy]

Great to hear!

[@roccomanginelli9498]

Cool kit! Great paint work

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Rocco!

[@charlespalavros6952]

Awesome kit & detail work

[@hpiguy]

Thank you!

[@WAVP371]

Cool kit and build dude thanks indeed!!!

[@hpiguy]

Thanks!

[@Curtiz2008]

Built this one back when it came out, and I now have the reissue from Atlantis.

[@ToddHLHG]

Way cool kit Chris!! Great job!

[@hpiguy]

Thank you Todd!

[@garfieldsmith332]

I remember building the original. Long gone. Thanks for a walk down memory lane.

[@hpiguy]

Cool, get the reissue and relive the fun times!

[@garfieldsmith332]

@@hpiguy I will have to. I have a lot of the Polar Lights re-issues from my early years. Keep up the good work.

[@laurenciozabala4296]

Thank you. This brings back memories.

[@hpiguy]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@henrysanchez4810]

That looks like an awesome kit...

[@hpiguy]

It is!

[@AgustinTini65]

Very good job. Congratulations

[@hpiguy]

Thank you very much!

[@petermerz2704]

Love it! ❤️. Built this a couple of months ago. Took me over a month to build. A lot of flash to clean up. It’s a great model!

[@hpiguy]

As long as you had fun!

[@dracoQuest]

Last time I saw that kid was 1976 one of my science teachers had built it and he threw an every Last Detail he confined. Find the right color on the doorknob to the right color on the damn capsule

[@chopperbaldwin610]

That is amazing when you first showed it I was like ehh, but once I saw how you made it come to life I was amazed. Keep up the great work and have a great day.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Chopper, it was a fun kit!

[@MegaGronis]

Wow! I built this when i was was 12 or 13. Great kit. Can't compare my work with your skills.

[@hpiguy]

Wow, thanks!

[@wwkdiecastmore5647]

Great looking kit Chris, and the build is awesome, first time I seen this kit!...Bill

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Bill, me too, all new to me!

[@richardwillett]

About building vintage kits is not to build as a kid would ! But to build it as you are now with the skills you acquired over the years!

[@hpiguy]

Modeling is about doing it whatever way you choose to do it. There is no right or wrong with a hobby. It's about enjoying yourself and what you make, not trying to please others or do it the way they say they want you to do it. People need to learn to stop telling others how to enjoy their hobby. We need less criticism and more encouragement of others or this hobby will die off.

[@dalesharpe9098]

Beautiful work.

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Dale!

[@johnkelley9877]

Great build Chris! I built this when I was a kid and in love with the NASA space program. Anything to do with space I built it but I always thought this was the nicest kit that was produced for any space mission. I am glad Atlantis released it. Thanks for sharing this.

[@hpiguy]

Very cool!

[@michaellewis1211]

Very nice. I have this old kit in my stash. I live about 25 miles from the Cape. I was just out there 2 weeks ago for family day and got to take a tour of the Air Force side. We got to go to Launch Complex 14, which looks like the kit. We got to go in the old block house and the old guard shack is still there. Wish I could post a pic

[@hpiguy]

Awesome!

[@72dodge340]

I'm definitely getting this one right away. Thanks for the great review! I was hoping for 1:87 for my HO train layout, but, it's going to be close enough anyway. Going to look great on the layout!

[@hpiguy]

Enjoy!

[@trade0714]

OMG ... I had this kit when I was a kid back in the 1960's! I remember well the launch pad and the fuel truck. I don't remember the ramp part though. It was such a cool kit because of the extensive launch pad, not just a rocket model. I would love to get another copy of it. I'm pretty sure my version was called a Mercury rocket.

[@hpiguy]

Cool! Atlantis has this in stock so you can build it all over again!

[@tomcline5631]

If it was called a Mercury,that was what they called the first 7 astronauts. The Mercury 7.All their capsules were "whatever"7. This was Friendship 7.

[@B.Wildered]

Great video sir, I appreciate it!

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Brian!

[@jeffgoswick7660]

Killer build as always

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Jeff!

[@samuelvasquez8170]

That is such a great looking kit

[@hpiguy]

Thank you Sam!

[@anthonyguerrieri6494]

Built the 1st edition from Revell, it also was molded in different colors, I think it was three. Minimal painting was required because of the multi colors it came with. I still have one unbuilt kit from back then, not to be built. Revell re-issued the kit under the ssp program molded in all grey back in the eighties. I hope the could re-issue the early 1950's kits though like XSL-01, Helios, etc. Better known as the "holy-grail" kits that I named them many years ago. -----KMP Antique, CT.

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Great looking build chris

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Charlie!

[@book3100]

I'm about to build this one too. I wanted these when I was a kid, but there were other things to do lol.

[@joewhitmore8474]

I remember that kit well. I thought I built it late 50s early 60. It was a ICBM! Thought it was great then, glad they rereleased it. If I remember it was flashy then And a little touchy then may have been my age. Love it and love what you do! ,

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Joe!

[@marvin757nn]

Thanks for this. I bought and built this kit. My painting skills did not include primer and spray paint. I did my painting with a brush and bottles of Testor's paint. But this was one of my favorite models I ever built.

[@hpiguy]

All that matters is if you had fun!

[@edchesley1144]

This amazing kit took my breath away when it was first released as an Atlas A or B test missile. Jack Leynwood's box top painting was like stepping into the Cape area without a pass, depicting the missile as it was being raised into launch position. The original parts were molded in light orange, silver, and white, and even that produced a huge jolt of adrenaline as one picked up the sprues and detailed parts one by one. All of the reissues have been in all silver or grey, not nearly as exciting, even with Mr. Leynwood's new box top depiction of the Mercury capsule separation from the Atlas at orbit insertion. The one thing that would make this B into a somewhat respectable D as the Mercury orbital launch vehicle would be to shorten the left instrument faring as one looks at the missile from the ramp end of the launch complex. The kit still stirs my imagination and I am very happy to know that it lives on as an Atlantis reissue!

[@hpiguy]

Thanks for spending some time on the channel!

[@brycebaker3275]

I got this kit for a Christmas gift

[@Toppervision1]

Wow! I've never seen this. What a tremendous display! Great job on it. And I like your outlook on flash. It really is a simple fact of life. Box scale however, now that is something to complain about. lol. :)

[@orbitalair2103]

Yes, I prefer common scales, but what can we do? It has to be a lot of work rerunning these old molds, but I am glad to see them. I got an old lindbergh T55 from Round2Corp, and yeah that one is horrible, the old mold for that is terrible.

[@hpiguy]

It's a nice kit, and flash is just part of plastic models. It comes off easy and doesn't mar any parts. Thanks for watching Topper!

[@fubarmodelyard1392]

Nice job. Would really be cool if Atlantis has the atomic power plant molds

[@lesliekauffeldt3942]

Built this as a kid when it was molded in different colors many decades ago. Time to build it again

[@hpiguy]

I agree, enjoy!

[@Curtiz2008]

Revell also released a nice Mercury Redstone kit I would love to see reissued.

[@johngrubb1590]

I don't remember much about the mercury atlas, but i remember me & me dad watching the apollo 11 landing on the moon it was glorious.

[@hpiguy]

Right, this kit came out when my parents were teens, I think it's cool as heck!

[@doublenickelbob]

Geee Wally, I have to buy one now!

[@hpiguy]

Thanks for watching and Happy Thanksgiving! facebook.com/hpiguysworkshop

[@DeadAbeVigoda]

Outside of a couple of typos and mislabeled parts this is one of the finest kits I've ever assembled. I'm a sucker for levels of detail like this model has.

[@orbitalair2103]

Nice review and build. Thanks for posting this up. I have no idea how you get such good results from rattle cans, as many models as you do, a $25 airbrush pays for itself rather quickly. Yes I did get a $25 airbrush from amazon, yes its cheap, but it sprays 1/16in lines pretty well, almost as good as my badger KR1.

[@hpiguy]

I have three different airbrushes and a nice compressor. I use them on some stuff here and there, especially when I need to custom mix a color or do some odd ball weathering. I also use spray cans a lot when I can as it speeds things up for me personally.

[@giancarlotomaselli8889]

I had one of these when I was 10 or 11 years old

[@Red-rl1xx]

I just bought this model last night!

[@hpiguy]

Cool, enjoy your kit!

[@scifimodelshop]

Far out man nice little kit

[@hpiguy]

Thanks for watching!

[@ModelCarMinion]

Really cool details on that kit. If you're not into rockets it would be a great base for a gundam type robot.

[@hpiguy]

True!

[@bobastu]

The LEGO Saturn V set is 1/110 scale as well. It would be cool to have them next to each other.

[@BGsModelWorkshop]

That definitely went from drab to fab!! Wonder how it would work out on a model rail road set up. 🤔 Dud!! in can't wait for that turbo-prop build!!

[@hpiguy]

Me either, I hope they send it over for a full build up!

[@hottoddy6757]

My sister built this kit back in 1960's. It was a hard build & did not last long. My problem with Revell models is flash as you said, But the flash on small parts. Terrible. Since Monogram bought Revell. Kits are nicer & easy to build. Thanks for new kits but are old.

[@hpiguy]

We're lucky to have a company like Atlantis reissuing all these cool older kits.

[@27Fan4Ever]

LVM Studios (Leon van Munster) offered the Service Tower kit that is missing in this kit, but as far as I can tell that company is out of business. Perhaps there is some new old stock somewhere?

[@joaquinperez959]

They should make one that blows up on the launch pad! LOlL!!!

[@blkft]

Picked this up awhile back, haven't started it yet. May make it a "week end project" this weekend 😁. Box shows 1:110, kinda wondering if it will work with my N scale train stuff (1:160-ish?)?

[@chassegallerie2910]

Pretty cool kit. The only "complaint" I have, is that there should be two other trucks for the two other trailers IMO. That said, is it normal that while I watched this vid I had the Thunderbird's theme song in my head?

[@garfieldsmith332]

FAB.

[@hpiguy]

Haha, thanks man!

[@colinjohnston8519]

They wouldn't have had a separate tractor for each trailer in reality.

[@WaybackTECH]

I would like to see you do a review of their Lago Talbot Grand Prix 1949 model kit and / or their 1950 Alfa Romeo.

[@corkcamden9878]

Oh yes! What beautiful models these are, too! Expensive, but worth every penny.

[@dansanders653]

Great kit but Revell modeled the Atlas as an ICBM, not the MA 109D version used for Glenn’s flight. You can tell by the length of the fairings on the sustainment stage.

[@hpiguy]

99.9999999% of the people will have no idea on what rockets are what. Thanks for watching!

[@8thProphet]

1 Like for the Swiss Product ! and for the job too :)

[@hpiguy]

Thanks for taking time to comment, much appreciated!

[@joebowditch7577]

It's really cool to see what you can do with spray cans I use spray cans and mine look nowhere near as good

[@hpiguy]

Thanks Joe, just takes practice, after about 60 kits per year you get the touch.

[@kennethkwilinski4899]

The original kit from ‘59 included some people and ICBM Atlas missile.

[@Bubbajava4u]

I just got this kit, I have the one where the sprue with all the trailer and some big pipes are in yellow. Is this an even newer release or one of the old releases?

[@jamesmcgartalnd4098]

can you guys repop the old aurora skip jack sub?

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

I was about 10 when I built this kit in the 60s. Back then it was moulded in three colours, silver for the main parts and red and yellow for the pipes and railings. It was covered in thin flash way back then. I don't remember the rocket carrying trailer, that seems to be a later addition. It was a great kit but a pig to build.

[@hpiguy]

Cool memories!

[@raytru3191]

i built it when i was a kid from what i remember its the same thing

[@hpiguy]

Yes, it's a straight reissue.

[@NewMexico67]

I tried building this kit in 69 or 70 as a 10 yr old. Made a total hash out of it, but it was cool. No paint and wayyyy too much glue.

[@hpiguy]

Just the way they should be when we're ten! It's about the fun and that's it. ;)

[@1955mouse]

nice...

[@hpiguy]

Thanks!

[@jimcollins4758]

Wow flashback to my kid hood only we had to use testors small bottle paints

[@hpiguy]

Haha, yeah, it felt like it took forever to paint!

[@marquee6]

Or Pactra paint.