1/48 LEM

[canberra kid]

Hi all,

What would be the best 1/48 scale LEM? 

Thanks

John

[RET]

There are a few options - Revell, Monogram and Dragon.

 

The Revell is the oldest and has some short cuts in it's depiction - but gives you the basics to work from - also has foldable landing gear.

Monogram dates from 1970 - and is quite accurate in size and dimensions - comes in the Lunar landing base kit with astros and surface equipment.

Dragon is the newest of the bunch - has good overall shape and detail - but there has been discussion about the descent stage being undersized.

 

The Monogram kit is less expensive and generally the choice of the dedicated "real space" crowd.

I have all three kits and have enjoyed all. The Dragon one will build into a nice kit - it is also sold under the Revell of Germany label now and will cost quite a bit. I'll try and post some images on the forum of my Dragon build.

 

Cheers and good luck!

[Rob44]

New wear models ( https://mek.kosmo.cz/newware/index.htm ) has some wonderful add on kits for the Revell or Monogram model to make them very accurate. Also there is an amazing amount of material on building an accurate LEM on the internet. The lunar Modlule scratch built by Vincent Meens is exceptional (http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/LEM-24/index.htm). There are also a lot of 3-D printed stuff on shapeway to accurize your model.

 

HAve Fun!

[canberra kid]

Thanks very very much chaps, I think I'll take a look at the Dragon/Revel kit.

 

John

[The Tomohawk Kid]

9 hours ago, canberra kid said:

Thanks very very much chaps, I think I'll take a look at the Dragon/Revel kit.

 

John

 

Before you do that, you might want to take note of the following:

 

The Monogram kit is probably the best (however, far from perfect) if you can source one. As far as I'm aware its not been re-issued in a while - early versions of the kit are worth trying to find as they came complete with the gold foil one needs.

 

The issue with most LEM kits is that either they were designed/produced at an early stage of the LM development or they lack accuracy. The first one to the pass was the 1/48 Revell kit, the main dimensions are generally alright but the kit was designed before the LM flew and shows quite a few inaccuracies like the lack of plume deflectors, various antennas or the shape of the ascent stage. The Monogram model was designed at a later stage but still has issues, however you can build a decent accurate model if you purchase the augmentation kit from NewWare (as mentioned up thread). The last 1/48 model is from Dragon the dimensions of the descent stage are totally wrong and the model is therefore out of proportion, 'small head, massive body syndrome'.

 

Be aware the latest Revell iteration (50th Anniversary issue) is a rebox of the Dragon kit, you may wish to take that into account when selecting a kit.

 

Tommo.

Edited November 2, 2020 by The Tomohawk Kid

[canberra kid]

On 11/2/2020 at 5:16 PM, The Tomohawk Kid said:

 

Before you do that, you might want to take note of the following:

 

The Monogram kit is probably the best (however, far from perfect) if you can source one. As far as I'm aware its not been re-issued in a while - early versions of the kit are worth trying to find as they came complete with the gold foil one needs.

 

The issue with most LEM kits is that either they were designed/produced at an early stage of the LM development or they lack accuracy. The first one to the pass was the 1/48 Revell kit, the main dimensions are generally alright but the kit was designed before the LM flew and shows quite a few inaccuracies like the lack of plume deflectors, various antennas or the shape of the ascent stage. The Monogram model was designed at a later stage but still has issues, however you can build a decent accurate model if you purchase the augmentation kit from NewWare (as mentioned up thread). The last 1/48 model is from Dragon the dimensions of the descent stage are totally wrong and the model is therefore out of proportion, 'small head, massive body syndrome'.

 

Be aware the latest Revell iteration (50th Anniversary issue) is a rebox of the Dragon kit, you may wish to take that into account when selecting a kit.

 

Tommo.

Thanks Tommo

 

I think I may go down the Monogram route, I'm quite happy doing some kit bashing so if the basic kit is more accurate then it sounds like the way to go!

 

John 

[John_W]

I built the Monogram kit many years ago. The Moon base that comes with it is interesting with its moulded on shadows. It came with a sheet of gold foil that was a bit challenging in places but gave a very realistic finish.

[The Tomohawk Kid]

2 hours ago, John_W said:

I built the Monogram kit many years ago. The Moon base that comes with it is interesting with its moulded on shadows. It came with a sheet of gold foil that was a bit challenging in places but gave a very realistic finish.

 

I had forgotten about that innovative notion of engraved shadows!  I wonder why it never caught on.

 

Tommo.

[mekon]

If you want to print your own then go no further than this.

 

Vincent Meens 1/48 CSM and LM

 

I've bough this, not started yet; but is a great package that now covers pretty much all LMs.

[canberra kid]

11 minutes ago, mekon said:

If you want to print your own then go no further than this.

 

Vincent Meens 1/48 CSM and LM

 

I've bough this, not started yet; but is a great package that now covers pretty much all LMs.

Thanks very much, very useful reference!

 

John

[Caerbannog]

11 hours ago, mekon said:

If you want to print your own then go no further than this.

 

Vincent Meens 1/48 CSM and LM

 

I've bough this, not started yet; but is a great package that now covers pretty much all LMs.

I am affraid that Vincent Meens has deleted his terrific LEM files from thingyverse. You get them here now: https://cults3d.com/fr/modèle-3d/divers/apollo-lunar-module-vincentmeens

But no more for free (still a great deal)

[mekon]

Yes, I bought them form cults3d.  Vincent has since added update files for both the CSM and LM for free which you can use with the purchased. packages.

[Rob44]

The book Virtual LM by Scott Sullivan has superb CAD drawings of the LM in great detail. The book is out of print, but you may be able to find a copy at the local library.

[Rob44]

Another excellent source is space in miniature

 

https://spaceinminiature.com/index.html

 

His SIM book #7 covers the LM and is available in print or online

[Peter Browne]

I have the Revell Monogram 1/48 LEM in my stash and is the best plastic kit to use as a base for completing an accurate model.  I also have the New Ware LEM detail (resin and PE) set for 'H' mission configuration (Apollo 11 to 14).  It's not cheap though...

 

https://www.culttvmanshop.com/Lunar-Module-detail-set-148-from-New-Ware_p_657.html

 

If you want to depict the MESA (Modular Equipment Stowage Assembly) folded out from the descent stage there is also:

 

https://www.culttvmanshop.com/Lunar-Module-MESA-detail-set-148-from-New-Ware_p_658.html

 

In addition to http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/

 

There is also an excellent resource for modelling the Apollo LEM for many missions at http://www.ninfinger.org/models/LM-11/LunarModuleOrion.html

 

Also checkout the build of the 1/48 Monogram LEM with the New Ware detail set at http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000597.html

[NellyV]

Hi John,

I finished the Revell 1/48 LM just in time for the 50 year anniversary of the moon landing in 2019. It has multiple inaccuracies, but if you can still get hold of the New Ware aftermarket resin and photoetch add-ons mentioned by Peter, you can correct most of these and make a pretty accurate representation of an early LM. See my post here for how I replicated the Descent stage gold and black Kapton coverings plus insulating gloves around the upper landing gear struts.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235095080-grumman-lunar-module-lm-5-based-on-the-revell-148-kit-and-the-new-ware-nw068-148-lunar-module-detail-set/&tab=comments#comment-4123718

Like Peter, I also think the Revell model is a better starting point than the Dragon kit, which if I remember rightly has moulded in crinkly Kapton surface effects. I did however choose the Dragon CSM and also upgraded this with the New Ware CSM add-ons, but it needs some renovation due to the photoetch SM side panels coming slightly adrift. Anyone have any advice on how best to attach these? I used double sided tape as I couldn't work out how to attach them invisibly with methacrylate. I hope to post pics of it when I've sorted it out.

Best

N

[Ken Stenzenko]

Agree, Monogram is the best with New ware add ons.