Although the Space Shuttle can travel fasterand farther than any other aircraft yet flying, unless it is on a space voyage, it must depend on other means of transportation just to get from one side of the country to the other. Since it must use such large external boosters to place it into the air, it is not feasible to launch the shuttle for less than orbital flight. To provide for "local" hops, NASA obtained a giant 747 airliner from American Airlines, and altered it to carry the shuttle in a special cradle mounted to the fuselage. In addition, a pair of vertical stabilizers was installed to increase the stability of the 747 during the captive flights, and to provide the necessary vertical surface for safe flight in the event the shuttle collided with the 747's large tail fin. The 747 was specifically modified for the initial flight testing of the spaceship. To determine the flight characteristics of the shuttle, it was mounted to the airliner and carried to altitude. During captive flights, in which the shuttle remained attached to the 747, the controls and other systems were tested as the pair cruised over Edwards Air Force Base. Eventually, the shuttle was flown back to Edwards on its own, the final proof of its aerodynamic ability.
Please see the paint guide below for the manufacturer’s suggested colors.
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Product Details
Scale: 1/288
Skill Level: 2
Parts: 75+
- Painting and assembly required
- 6 sprues
- High-quality plastic molded in silver, white, and black
- Includes both the 747 and the Space Shuttle
- Exterior surface details include seams, bolt heads and a variety of hatch and door outlines
- All of the necessary cradle equipment for attaching the shuttle to the 747 is included
- An aerodynamically correct booster cowl is included for the rear of the shuttle
- The 747 features all of the tail modifications necessary to safely support the shuttle
- Complete landing gear and engine assemblies for the 747 are included
- Clear brown plastic display base
- Illustrated instructions and paint guide
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Paint Guide:
White
Yellow
Red
Blue
Grey
Gunmetal
Green
Black
Silver
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