SPRINT INTO SPACE WITH THE AOSHIMA 1:200 SCALE EPSILON LAUNCH ROCKET
Aoshima seems to be the only kit company coming up with regular brand new items in the real-space field. This one is the tenth in its Space Craft Series, and features the Epsilon, Japan’s latest launch rocket. Mat Irvine: The Epsilon is a small satellite launcher that uses solid fuel stages for the first through to third, with an optional liquid fourth. To keep costs down, the first stage is actually a modified booster from the larger H-II Japanese launcher, also kitted by Aoshima. Moulded in white, red and transparent plastic, the kit makes up into the rocket itself plus a launch pad. The latter includes the launch rail, pad, and blast trap. This all sits on a revolving base. Usefully, two metal weights are supplied to add to the base, to help keep the assembled structure stable. The rocket can be built with an opaque exterior, but the upper stage payload shroud is also moulded in clear plastic, to display the supplied satellite model. This is the Spectroscopic Planet Obser...