Sprue Review. Revell 1/32 Apollo 11 Spacecraft with interior

An in box review of the nearly 50 yr old kit from Revell/Monogram. Surprisingly good mouldings and lack of flash are joined by beautifully moulded clear parts.
I'm gonna throw a ton of extras at this kit and build a real nice replica of the Block 2 CSM and CM.

[@ScaleModelKitReview]

I’m not an expert but I did work on the USAF Titan II in the early eighties, and have lots of experience with LR-87 and 91 rocket motors, our missiles silo launch tubes and equipment areas were painted the same color as many of the interior panels and bulkheads as the command module, same as the C-130 flight decks and cargo compartments, it’s seams that the USAF and NASA loved this color. The color is very evident to me as being “Sea Foam Green”. A very light pale green. Good luck with your build and I will be following your progress.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

I agree Nige, from all references I've ever seen the capsule interior was pale blue-grey. And that includes the film "Apollo 13" which was supposed to be highly accurate in detail if not script. The control desks are over simplified on those decals and there is no airframe green anywhere on Apollo... Apart from that, it still looks OK for 50 years old, but I had hoped that for the 50th we would get some brand new kits to modern standards. The kit represents a returning capsule as there is no LEM... And it was a shame they never moulded the capsule in chrome.

[@MegaGronis]

I have Monogram 1:32 Apollo spacecraft kit. No colors are included but photo etched parts from New Ware and a SIM Bay from Real space models.

[@ianthomson9363]

I concur with your thoughts on the interior colour, it's definitely not green! Those decals are just wrong too. The seats were known as couches, and were a metal frame with a cloth sling. As the astronauts would be in zero gravity for most of the journey, that's all that was required. I haven't seen the aftermarket astronauts you mentioned, but they should have the all-glass 'fishbowl' helmets (as Andy Richards has said, the film 'Apollo 13' is a good reference source, as is the Haynes Apollo 11 owner's workshop manual), and not the Gemini type spacesuits and helmets that Revell included in their original mouldings. I'm currently building a 1994 25th anniversary reissue of the 1/48 Eagle & Columbia spacecraft set, which was originally produced in the late 60s and has some issues, such as a Block 1 service module, not much I can do about it though. This has a section of the service module exterior that hinges open to reveal the various tanks inside, much like your 1/32 version. The bulkheads were covered in gold foil so that appears to be something that Revell got wrong. I've applied (fake) gold leaf to these areas, using Mod Podge to both glue and seal the leaf, and for a first attempt at a new skill it's quite successful, though a little nerve-racking! When that's complete I'll start on the 1/96 Saturn V, for which I'll be ordering the realspace aftermarket parts as well- thank you for that information. I look forward to your build with great interest!

[@B.Wildered]

I think green zinc chromate with some white and a touch of blue might get you the interior color you’re looking for.

[@351xb1973]

The piece that takes the heat on re-entry in called the heat shield.

[@joburg76]

Hi returned from KSC on Nov/2019, in the Saturn V centre they have a CSM on display 5 seater from Skylab era was to be used as a rescue capsule, and the interior is a greyish blue

[@simonjones9162]

According to Michael Collins' autobiography, "Carrying the Fire", the official interior colour was 'battleship grey'.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Not as dark as that I feel. More like a USAF cockpit interior grey generally, like you'd see in an F-14 say.

[@flybobbie1449]

One or two documentaries they look, panel with gauges grey and rest white with a very touch of green.

[@notthatdonald1385]

I am considering building this kit. Wow a model with a stand included! Interesting the box says level 5, but the instructions say 4. I consider it a 4 mechanically, but a 5 to make it 'pop'. I'm around a 4, but I like to challenge myself. I am surprised with the low number of parts.

[@danielbritton8588]

One could do Appllo 13 with those internals. I believe I would. I would transplant heads without helmets. Nice review. I have not seen this kit popping up anywhere yet. I believe they had to stir the oxygen periodically when they developed their problem. Maybe put an LED in there.

[@mikem5043]

The throat of the SM engine bell was definitely NOT red

[@SIONARAFLORIDA]

The box said level 5 but the instructions say level 4 whats the deal? Nice B Day gift though Nigel.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Just going to say the same

[@NigelsModellingBench]

norman hauser well spotted, I didn’t see that? I would also add this kit is more like a level 3. Any novice could get this together.

[@mikem5043]

Interesting that on the box it indicates "Level 5", but on the instruction manual it's "Level 4"...

[@mustangbob51]

i wish they would do a 1/24 version to go with the Gemini. always frustrated me since i was a wee lad!

[@Sootaroot]

There used to be a model shop in Argyll Street Glasgow, near Central Station (so maybe called Argyll Models but I forget, and like nearly all model shops, it is long gone) and I asked them that very question. The answer I got was that such a model was not made because "It would be too big." What can you say?

[@brianfearn4246]

If I remember rightly when this kit was originally introduced around 1969-70 it came with the LM & the LM housing stage which formed a impressive display stand. The biggest mistake I made was displaying it were it could easily be knocked over followed by a few tears 😢

[@Sootaroot]

You may be thinking of the Revell 1:48 kit which was issued in that form in 1969, plus the Launch Escape System, but without the boost protection cover, making for an inaccurate model calling out for a scratchbuilt cover. We had to wait for Dragon Models to depict the LES accurately, but that was in 1:72.

[@brianfearn4246]

@Sootaroot yes it was the revell 1:48 version which was a good model with reasonable detail . If I remember the kit included 3 astronaut figures.. many thanks for the info 👍

[@zanda677]

So revellers states it's level 5 but instructions state it's level 4, but I hope it fits correctly as old moulds don't wear very well, looking forward to the photoetch parts tho.

[@darronhedges5873]

If you like PE theres a company ROCHM model's,the website deserves a big screen,40 minutes and a coffee.The historical accuracy is on an 'exhisting individual vehicles' basis.The craftmanship is superb.

[@sci_tec]

Did you end up building this? would love to see pics of how it turned out

[@NigelsModellingBench]

No, never built it..

[@flybobbie1449]

James Burke called them couch in 1969 documentary.

[@Turambar3791]

Those pannel colours are less accurate than Amazon's Rings of Power! Yeah I am 4 years late but you asked my opinion XD

[@victorbloom8286]

Indeed they were called couches

[@VulcanDriver1]

I've got one in the stash.

[@lesvenus3788]

Fantastic. I’m really loving this Apollo series of kit reviews/builds. Are you planning on doing the LEM Nigel?

[@cardcounter21]

I've just got the 50th anniversary Eagle Lander and was surprised to find its not a re-issue of the First Lunar Landing model but a re-branded Dragon kit (I'd never heard of Dragon before I bought this). At first I wasn't sure what to think as it doesn't include the astronauts, lunar surface or any experiments but on closer inspection the lander itself looks more detailed than the Revell original!

[@KowaSK]

Hello, could you tell me the Set number of the old Versions? Or better an Download link for the old instruction? I found a version from 2009 but there are already no descripions of the Parts in the Manual.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

www.scalemates.com/kits/revell-03703-apollo-11-spacecraft-with-interior--1182707

[@FrankygoestoHobbywood]

a good review... i'm interested in to get one for myself…

[@destinyangel5]

Great review Nigel just wondering is anybody doing a 1/32 LEM ? to go with this service module . I see Dragon did a 1/48 scale LEM and service module but its impossible to find now .

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Dont think anyone made a 1/32 LEM?

[@ethantrinkley3292]

The box says level 5 the instructions say level 4

[@joburg76]

Bought this kit in 1979/80 and the capsule exterior was already chromed ???

[@Sootaroot]

I bought the 25th anniversary re-issue (from much-missed Comet Miniatures) in 1994 and the CM exterior was gold plated, so the chrome version would have been better, but it was spoiled for me in any event because, like Nigel, I did not want to retain the clear panel and in those days there were not the chrome paints that we have today. Also the join between the clear panel and the chromed part went right down the middle of the CM hatch, making modifications involving the hatch very difficult, for example if you wanted to replicate the Apollo 9 stand-up EVA, so the model could have been a lot better if a bit more thought had gone into it.

[@weirdscience1]

The seats were called "couches".

[@loum432]

Hey Nigel, I just bought the 25th anniversary edition of this model, and the CM came in a metallic gold color! Not sure why, as the finished color should be metallic silver! Even the cover illustration appears to show this color! Any ideas as to why??

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Not a clue mate??

[@loum432]

@@NigelsModellingBench UPDATE: I discovered that the gold color is just a yellow clearcoat over the chrome finish! Using a lint-free cloth and some denatured alcohol, I was able to remove the clearcoat and bring out the silver chrome finish! Just an FYI in case anyone else encounters this -

[@sandyflugstonemullet]

You mention a different supplier for the control panel...the supplied one is totally wrong...wrong shape apart from anything else.. where did you get the alternative version??

[@NigelsModellingBench]

I cant remember the name now, but i did a review of the full interior set a little after this video.

[@brucesharpe1079]

Just a thought Nigel what happens to all your models when you make them do you have space for them all and a room to keep them in I just wondered I find space can be a problem this looks a good model to make thanks 👍🏻

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Bruce Sharpe I’m running out of space so have bought a new cabinet. I’m gonna take some to Antics to display.

[@brucesharpe1079]

Nigel’s Modelling Bench thanks for that it was just a thought 👍🏻

[@glynrhodes3212]

I bought this kit some years ago in the 'Modelzone' closing down sale. I started building it a couple of weeks ago. The kit seemed a good bargain at the time … but … the decals are just truly awful; the kit lacks detail; the astronaut figures are pathetic - the heads/helmets are just plain round spheres with no detail at all. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of time and money on extras then I would stay well clear.

[@charliemessenger6537]

Nige - I stumbled across this build site trying to see if any manufacturer ever made a 1/32 scale LEM to go with the Revell CSM. You would probably need to take a second mortgage on your home to afford all the Shapeways parts but it would build into an incredible model. Thought you might enjoy it for the details and painting for your 1/48 rig. spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-32%20LM/index.htm

[@loum432]

Did you ever build this model? I can't seem to find a video on it -

[@NigelsModellingBench]

No mate not yet

[@st_pointeau3752]

Wyhy they don't give the peace with colors and with a good glue me is horrible

[@bobbybates2614]

How much did it cost to buy

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Google, Ebay, Amazon??

[@andrewkirk1112]

Just got this kit the decals suck

[@B.Wildered]

You might like the decals for this kit from Space Model Systems at Cult TV Man.

[@tonyp8229]

I'm putting this model together now and it's not fun. None of the piece fit or click. the capsule piece won't fit over the cockpit and you'll have gaps. You'll need stronger glue than clear glue so you'll see the regular glue through the clear piece. Just a horrible kit. I don't expect much from Revell but this was just terrible. As for the accuracy. well... its Revell. nothing is accurate but who else makes the CSM? no one and thats the problem.