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Orbital Sciences X-34 (1999)

Anigrand Craftswork Logo

SCALE: 1/72

INITIAL RELEASE: 2003

MEDIUM: Resin

RARITY: (2)

 

 

 

 

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

In the early 1990s, with NASA's space shuttle proving to be increasingly expensive and unreliable, the space agency began looking into new, simpler reusable launch systems.  The X-34 was Orbital Sciences' entry into the reusable launch vehicle race.  An unmanned spaceplane powered by a single Marshall MC-1 Fastrac rocket engine, the craft was designed to be carried aloft by a specially modified L-11011 jetliner.  Once dropped, it would be capable of reaching altitudes of up to 250 kilometers before returning to earth and landing like a conventional aircraft.

Three X-34s were supposed to be built as technology demonstrators.  However, two years after the X-34's 1999 rollout and before the first flight test could be made, the project was cancelled.   The design was subsequently acquired by the US SpaceDev startup company that hoped to build a manned version to compete in the Ansari X-Prize competition.  Called "Dream Chaser," the civilian spaceplane was never built.

This was large, albeit it simple all-resin kit from Anigrand of Hong Kong.  Being based on an unmanned vehicle, the model had one excellent feature: no vacuform canopy!

The model was built from an original issue.

Artist's Conception of the X-34 in Orbit

 

Original Box Art

 

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