SCALE: 1/288

INITIAL RELEASE: 2008

MEDIUM: Resin

RARITY: (5)

HEIGHT: 12.5"

Von Braun's Rocket Blasts Off!

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

During World War Two, Dr. Werner Von Braun was the leading designer behind Germany's A-4/V-2 rocket, the world's first ballistic missile. After the war, Von Braun emigrated to the United States where his knowledge, genius and undeniable charisma was put to work on behalf of America's own military and civilian space programs -- and on popularizing the notion of manned space flight with the general public.

In 1953, Von Braun contributed to a series of stunning articles published by Collier's magazine in which, for the first time, credible concepts for manned rocket ships were presented to a mass audience. Von Braun's design for a three-stage chemical-fueled rocket, complete with winged manned orbiter, became one of that decade's most famous and iconic symbols of America's ambitions for the Conquest of Space.

Released in early 2008, this was the first fully accurate model of this iconic conceptual spacecraft produced in kit form.  (D&E Miniature's kit from the 1980s lacked a cockpit dome, windows, 3rd stage wing stabilizers and any engine detail.)  Not only did this model separate into three stages complete with visible engine clusters, it had the added bonus of a large, detailed launch pad.

Patterned by Scott Lowther and cast by Acme Design, Inc., this model is currently available for purchase in the Fantastic Plastic Virtual Museum Store.

Original Box Art