Spacelab in the shuttle

[SpaceMan333]

I've noticed that in the Revell 1/144 and 1/72 shuttle kits, the Spacelab module is situated quite close to the main cabin with a short tunnel linking the two, whereas in all the photos I've seen of Spacelab it is situated farther back in the payload bay with a longer tunnel.  The latter is how it modelled in the Tamiya 1/100 kit I think.   Does anyone know if the Revell configuration with the shorter tunnel ever flew?  Thanks.

[cmatthewbacon]

I’m pretty sure it did not. When I built mine I extended the tunnels to match pictures of the real missions using wiring conduit from the diy store, which happened to be the right diameter in 1/72.
 

 

The rearward positioning is for CoG reasons on reentry and landing... not that many Shuttle missions landed with cargo aboard but it was designed to be able to carry up to 32 tonnes into orbit and return with 16...

best,

M.

[SpaceMan333]

2 hours ago, cmatthewbacon said:

I’m pretty sure it did not. When I built mine I extended the tunnels to match pictures of the real missions using wiring conduit from the diy store, which happened to be the right diameter in 1/72.
 

 

The rearward positioning is for CoG reasons on reentry and landing... not that many Shuttle missions landed with cargo aboard but it was designed to be able to carry up to 32 tonnes into orbit and return with 16...

best,

M.

Ah great - thanks for clearing that up.  I'll have to work on a mod!