Cutting Edge Modelworks

1/144 Luna 1/2/3 and R-7 Booster Lift Off Series  Resin model kit

Product # CELO44006 for $49.99

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Oct 17  2003

 

 

 

Before the manned moon landings.......there was the Luna 1/2/3 and R-7 Launcher that made the first man-made hole in the moon.  Cutting Edge Modelworks has recognized a yearning by modelers to create these famous space rockets and they have released a variety of resin items and decals related to the USSR and US space program .  

This is one of the many 1/144 items from Cutting Edge Modelworks in their Lift Off Series  dealing with the race for space.  This particular 39 piece resin model kit set is fairly straight forward but full of rich detail.....study the instructions carefully....especially the pictures on the instructions and you'll do ok.  The masters for this resin model kit were created by NASA patternmaker Ben Guenther with additional work by Scott Battistoni.

First up we have the central rocket.  This is a long solid resin part.  There is a resin casting block (see photo below on far right) that will require the use of a saw to cut off, but that's easy enough.  The top of this part has a very nicely done dome cap that will be partly hidden once the top section is assembled and attached. 

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Once you remove the casting block from the bottom of the central rocket.....you then attach the rocket motor exhaust cones.  Also included are 16 (you only use 12) small nozzles.  Four of these will be used on the bottom of the central rocket.  You will have to cut down the small rocket nozzles and drill holes in the base of the rocket to slide these 4 small nozzles into.  Detail on these small nozzles is delicate and the nozzles themselves are hollowed out cones.....just like the larger main nozzles.  

There are 4 strap-on rocket boosters......two are in the image below.  You need to cut the casting block off the bottom and attach the rocket exhaust cone base to each booster rocket.  Then you drill 2 tiny holes in the base of each booster and insert the smaller nozzles for rocket bases.  These strap-on boosters have panel lines etc that will show up well.  

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2 of the 4 strap-on boosters

1 of the 4 bases for the strap-on boosters

smaller nozzles for rocket bases

The most complicated part of this model will be the rods that interlink and then get attached to the base of the rocket motors.  You only use 4 rods but 6 are included which is good incase something goes wrong at this stage.  Read the instructions carefully....study the pictures included and dry fit a few times to make sure you've got everything figured out for this stage before you get out your CA glue.  The "Crown" braces will need to have the skin of resin removed from the inside of the "V" on this part.  This will be quickly and easily done with a sharp X-Acto knife, because this skin of resin is very thin.  The "crown" braces will then look like the rods they are supposed to represent. 

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Rods to be interlinked to bases of the 5 rockets....and the vents that will be attached to the. "Crown" braces to support Vostok 3rd stage
Here is the bottom of the Vostok 3rd stage which is attached to the "Crown" braces you see above.  The crown braces will attach this 3rd stage piece to the top of the main central rocket.  The top end of this part has a casting block that needs to be cut off with a saw.  The bottom end as you can see in the picture to the right is full of well done detail.  There is a top cone that glues to this 3rd stage piece, the the end that you remove the casting block from.  This will help to hide any mess you might made when removing the casting block from the 3rd stage piece.  The cone also has a casting block that will have to be removed from it's base before it can be attached to the top of the 3rd stage piece.

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There is one page of instructions and it covers all aspects of the construction of this resin kit.  Painting instructions are not included and there are no markings included in this kit.  The kit is safely packet in a custom made cardboard box to ensure it's safe transport. 

It's refreshing to see Cutting Edge Modelworks taking on and producing the Early Space related items.  This "Lift Off Series" is sure to be a big hit with anyone with an interest in the Space Race.

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I would like to thank Cutting Edge Modelworks for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford