Von Braun Cargo Rocket (1952)

Scale: 1/480
Initial Release: 1988
Medium: Resin
Kit Rarity: 5

About the Design

This was the first of the classic 50's-era three-stage rockets to be popularized by Collier's magazine in 1952. Designed to shuttle men and building materials between the Earth and orbiting space stations, the cargo rocket is similar to the "Man in Space Ship" that would appear on Walt Disney's Disneyland TV series in 1955, the major difference being that the wide-winged, tailless upper return stage  would be replaced by a more aerodynamic delta-winged orbiter with a T-shaped tail.

About the Kit

This unique and ultra-rare kit was manufactured by David Merriman's D&E Miniatures. The all-resin kit was distinguished by its dramatic "rocket exhaust" base that is nearly as large as the rocket itself. 

This model was built from the kit's one and only 1980's issue.