First Look: Inter-culture 1/144th scale Launch Umbilical Tower for the Saturn V

Saturn V- NASA

One of the grail items for a builder of spacecraft and rocket models has often been the Launch Umbilical Tower.  This gargantuan device was used to transport the Saturn V rocket from the assembly building to the launch pad.

Until recently, the only large scale model available was the mostly photo-etch kit by the now defunct Launch Complex Models.   Approximately 20 kits were produced, one of which I own.  I have not started it yet since I don't have the room to tackle a large photoetch kit like that one- yet.

Back in 2010, the Inter-Culture kit was announced.  It's not known how many have been purchased as the high cost probably makes the purchaser feel guilty.  It did this writer.

This "kit" comes in ten large assemblies which stack together to form the launcher.  When inspected under magnification, the sub-assemblies were grown in a 3D printer.  At first, I thought they were in many pieces and glued together into the sections but this is not the case.  Amazingly, these assemblies are almost all one grown piece.  The white ECS piping, service arms and elevator shaft is separate and that is it.  The platform is structurally one piece with the exhaust hole and elevator base separate pieces.

When I decided to purchase this kit on that auction site, I was expecting something but not this.  The provided photos gave some hints at the detail included.  I guess I was throwing caution to the wind.  I can say now that I am not disappointed.  The tower has plenty of details, including the frame work under each floor and equipment boxes on the levels.  The service arms are very close to the prototypes and beg for super detailing.

This one came with paint though it's not accurate.  It was also available in raw white.  This is not a problem since I would be detailing it and repainting it anyway.

As for scale, it isn't perfect.  It is supposed to be 1/144th scale and it does achieve that in most cases.  It is under or over scale by a few inches here and there.  The kit is sized for the Bandai Tamashii Nations Apollo 11 and Saturn V Launch Vehicle and looks really good with it.  The service arms line up fairly well although arms 3 and 4 are switched on my example.  Easy to fix as the arms are not permanently mounted.

The platform is generally good but probably the weak link detail-wise.  It is one piece with printed inserts.

So, what now?  This kit just screams for super, no, hyper detailing.  I have wanted a kit like this for a long time.  There are so many details to be added that it probably never be finished, if I wanted to go crazy.  But there things like the wiring trunks, final ECS piping, service arm interfaces, tailservice masts, etc, which would be the first things to be added.  New Ware models offers the masts and hold down arm details as a kit already!  This will be a journey, one I am ready to embark on.  Stay tune for progress as I plan the up grades. First up will be painting the elevator shaft to correct color.

Edit:  This kit was $2000 on Ebay.  The price is listed elsewhere at nearly $3000.  I do not know if this kit is still available.

-John Duncan

www.apollosaturn.com