Fresh off the bench and just in time for WonderFest I present to you my 1/96 Atlantis Models Moon Ship.
Originally released by Revell in 1957 along with the larger XSL-0, the "Moon Ship" was the first mass market model kit to feature separate U.S. and foreign box art. The kit disappeared from shelves for nearly a decade before reappearing again as part of the funky 1969 "Space Pursuit" set that also featured the out-of-production Convair Space Shuttle. Atlantis Models recently re-released this kit and I immediately picked one up.
I slightly modified mine by adding an aerospike to the nosecone and additional rocket nozzles. I scratchbuilt a forward hatch and sculpted/kitbashed an astronaut figure and tether. I added two LEDs; one orange flickering LED in the main rocket nozzle and a cool white LED in the main compartment. I raised the base about ¾ of an inch to house a 9V battery and feathered the power leads into the base. I went with an orange paint scheme to give it a retro look.
