Launch Complex 39 - Apollo/Saturn Mobile Launcher

(Local Copy)

This kit will provide all the parts necessary to re-create in minature the entire Mobile Launcher used to launch the Historic Moon Landing Missions of the Apollo Project.

The Mobile Launcher kit will consist of the large grey Launcher Base, the 18 floors of the Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT), the Hammerhead Crane, the 9 different Service Arms, a Damper Arm and the 10 legs used to support the whole structure.

(Local Copy)

The kit will contain all the instructions and parts to make all the variants of the Mobile Launcher as they were used to launch the enormous Saturn-V rockets. The kit will include both designs of Tail Service Mast, one which was used for the early Apollo 4 launch, and the later replacement design for all the other launches. The kit also includes all the alternative parts required to allow the modeler to build the modified tower used to launch the SkyLab orbiting space laboratory.

It will be modelled, mainly using photo-etched brass to provide the maximum possible amount of detail. The kit will include all of the following details:

• Launcher Base with fine details included
• Strong brass and plastic legs for supporting the weight of the base (6 x Mount Mechanisms and 4 x Extensible Columns)
• Wooden Display Stand
• Moving Hold-down Arms for supporting your Saturn-V model rocket
• Moving Tail Service Masts (both early 'clam' style Apollo 4 design and the later 'covered' Apollo 6 onward designs are included)
• Scale stairs with the correct number of risers
• Highly detailed elevator shafts with cars inside, and accurately reproduced conduits and cabinets throughout
• Floor-gratings accurately portrayed with under-floor girderwork and piping included
• Support cross-bracing and accurately scaled main box-columns, H-beams and I-beams throughout
• Detailed Catwalks (including alternative parts to replicate the Skylab configuration)
• Equipment Cabinets
• Shower and Eyewash equipment provided in correct locations on each floor
• All Vertical and Horizontal Cable Trays
• All Fuel and ECS pipework
• Highly detailed 360 degree rotating Hammerhead Crane with movable hook
• Swinging Service Arms with extending Work Platforms and accurate fine detailing

(Local Copy)

An extra "Milkstool" is also being designed, for release later, to allow modellers to produce ML's for launching the smaller Saturn 1B's, which were used for the manned SkyLab launches and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Program. The "Milkstool" will be available as a separate upgrade kit at a later date and will include all the parts required to convert a regular ML kit.

As you can see from the pictures here, this project is already well under way although the original schedule has slipped considerably. The first Prototype kit is well under way and is coming along quite nicely.

Together with LCM's Apollo/Saturn Mobile Service Structure and Crawler Transporters you will be able to build a complete Launch Complex 39 of your own.

Dimensions:

Mobile Launcher:

Milkstool:

Instruction Manual Now Online:

This link will take you to the latest sections of the Instruction Manual for the 1:144th scale Mobile Launcher kit above. The manual is still being completed at this time, but these sections are being made available to customers as soon as they are ready.

Customer's Kit Photographs:

Below are a collection of photo's showing the final kit parts, as they are packaged just prior to shipping. This shows what you will receive when you order a kit.

Customers Own Kits:

Our very own "Corps of Engineers" from around the world building their own 1:144th scale Mobile Launcher kits can be seen here. This collection will showcase the building of all 100 Limited Edition 1:144th scale kits we intend to create.

Prototype Photographs:

Our brass supplier has sent us these two photographs of the very first sheet of brass off the final production line! These two pictures show very clearly the quality of the etching on each of the 39 final production quality sheets of brass which will be included in the 1:144 scale kit. We hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we have!

These resin parts below are the very first customer items shipped to us. From left to right you can see the 9 parts which make up the tapering main columns on the outside of the LUT tower, the parts which make the Hammerhead Crane machine room, the LH2 heat exchanger for the S-IVB stage located on level 240, and one of each of the various parts which will make up the 6 Mount Mechanisms & 4 Extensible Columns which support the entire structure.

Above are the very first sheets of Brass produced in the USA! These sheets will be used to make the first prototype tower, so watch this space for pictures soon!

The above Service Arms have been prototyped on paper - the final versions will be in Photoetched Brass and photo's should be available soon

If you're after the older collection of pictures, I've moved them to a Picture Archive to speed up the download of this page.