SCALE MODEL NEWS

THE RUSSIAN SOYUZ SPACECRAFT dates back to the 1960s, but a continual design evolution means that it still flies successfully today. This 1:48 scale kit of the Soyuz TMA comes from the Netherlands-based company, LVM Studios. Mat Irvine:  The LVM Studios Soyuz TMA is a detailed kit of the spacecraft that delivers crews to the International Space Station. The TMA has three main sections, a forward Orbital Module, central Descent Module - which returns intact with the crew - and rear Equipment Module. Compared to a conventional injection styrene model, construction techniques to build the Soyuz TMA are completely different, and one thing you won’t need is styrene cement. Instead, superglue is the main cementing agent, though two-part epoxy can be used for larger components, and a clear adhesive may be useful for very small parts. The box (above) features a photo-style design. The bottom ( below ) shows more details. A page ( below ) from the comprehensive plans Resin is used for parts...

WE HAVE ALREADY LOOKED AT the 1:72 scale Zvezda kit of the Soviet/Russian SS-25 missile. Now we’ve built a kit, so here is the complete report. We also took the opportunity to add the conversion kit from LVM Studios. This turns the military missile into a commercial satellite launcher. Mat Irvine: The first task is to construct the Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle. The first decision is to decide whether to build it for travel or launch. Optional parts are provided for the truck’s 14 wheels to be on the ground or raised on jacks for launching. However you can leave a decision for the rocket’s angle for the time being. The main task is really getting your head around the number of parts for the chassis - and working out which are for the travelling and which for the launch version. Most of these parts are very similar in appearance, and you need to cross-check constantly with the detailed instructions to make sure you have the correct items. This not exactly helped by two run...