TAMASHII NATIONS Bandai Apollo 11 and Saturn V Launch Vehicle NASA Otona No Chogokin Rocket

Straight from the get go you can tell the Bandai Apollo 11 is not a toy, it is a showpiece, just by looking at the packaging that this model comes in.The Bandai Otona No Chogokin Apollo 11 is an exquisitely detailed model standing around 2.5 feet tall when assembled. In the box you get all the major components of the Saturn V rocket, each separated including the interstages (first model I've had that include these as separates (except for the Bandai Apollo 13 which is basically the same model for the most part)), two LM's, one to attach to the CSM in the familiar nose to nose configuration and one for use on the moon diorama which includes a flag and models of Neil and Buzz. Everything is astonishingly detailed.Included in the box are multiple stands allowing you to either assemble the Saturn V as a full stack and display upright or you can display each part of the Saturn V as separate modules laying on it's side (like the actual remaining Saturn V's that are now displayed in museums in Florida, Huntsville etc.).The model itself is a mixture of plastic and metal and is very sturdy.If you have Bandai's fairly recently released Apollo 13 model, is it worth getting this one? For the most part they are really the same, the differences are that with the Apollo 13 model you get an extra "damaged" service module and the splashdown diorama replaces the moon landing diorama that comes with this one. Both will ultimately be collector pieces as both are limited supply editions (although Bandai have recently released another batch this model). Not too long ago these were going for north of $1000 on ebay.I have lots of models of Saturn V's, some larger, some smaller but none with the detail of this one. A definite showpiece.

Loved it so much, I bought two. Fantastic detail and great display arrangement options. I've been searching for a good Saturn V model for my office for the right price and this wins on every front. I've seen more expensive wood models with less detail and inaccurate proportions. For ~$400-450 this is a bargain. I love being able to pick it up and take the stages apart to see the engines inside. My only complaint is that it doesn't show off the detail of the Saturn V instrument unit which is supposed to be between the third stage (S-IVB) and the s second stage (S-IVB) (which to some, is one of the most impressive technological achievements of the Saturn V). That's my only gripe. Otherwise this is amazing and I'm extremely happy with my purchase. This makes a great display at a home, office or classroom. The little astronauts included are great to show kids the amazing proportions of the Saturn V. I should mention that most of this model is plastic. I was expecting more die cast metal. With that being said, the plastic and the paint scheme is of very high quality.

This thing is a complete piece of garbage, showed up with a broken fin, one of the snaps broke off with no pressure at all. The plastic parts are so cheap. for the money paid for this the stress points on the model should at least be of higher quality.

Great packaging, beautifully packed, not one piece broken. The model is absolutely incredible! Beautiful detail, easy to assemble with great pictures. Instructions in English instead of Japanese would have been nice, but luckily the Illustrations were Enough.An amazing job on this product, and Amazon was superb as always with it been shipped from Japan.

Every component on the model seems to be made from plastic with the exception of the stainless steel name plate which you attach to the plastic display base using double sided adhesive tape supplied in the box. This strip of stainless steel looks like it's been electroplated with brass on the outer face, into which is engraved the words "APPOLO11 & SATURN V LAUNCH VEHICLE", preceded with six Japanese characters with the words "OTONA NO CHOGOKIN" beneath. The overall appearance of the name plate, display base and all of the vehicle components is of high quality. The model is very handsome. When holding each of the three booster stages separately, they feel like they have added weight, probably with the addition of metal slugs securely attached inside.What disappoints in this model is that there are not enough components included to CONCURRENTLY display the model in three major configurations:1) Assembled vehicle in upright attitude pre-launch mode.2) Service, Command and Lunar Module Decent & Ascent stages attached & configured in T.L.I mode for the outbound sector of the flight to the Moon using the separate display stand supplied.3) Lunar Module Decent/Ascent stages attached & configured for Lunar decent & landing mode.My model came with only two Lunar Module Decent Stage's but only one Ascent stage. Only one Command Module and one Service Module are included . This limits the options available in which to display the various component configurations for the model concurrently, and forces repeated stress during disassembly and reassembly of these fragile components. I unfortunately managed to stress (almost to breaking point) the small plastic lug on the forward end of the Service Module that connects it to the Command Module. This lug looks over-scale, rather crude and is probably not prototypical. I am considering removing it and just using blue tack to hold these pieces together.The inclusion of one additional Service Module & one additional Command Module would enable display of the model as a completely assembled vehicle in pre-launch configuration (1), as well as displaying a model of the Service, Command and Lunar Module Decent & Ascent stages attached & configured in T.L.I mode (2) using the separate display stand supplied.The inclusion of one additional Lunar Module Ascent stage would enable display of the Lunar Module Decent & Ascent stages assembled (3) and set on the lunar surface tile supplied for the upright display base.Packaging for the model is first rate and has ample room into which these additional components would easily fit.It's a shame that due to the lack of these low cost additional components, the Academy Award for Modelling Excellence goes to ......... someone else! see lessNiall Clifford answered on March 1, 2018