Space in Miniature 7

Apollo Lunar Module

by

Michael J. Mackowski

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

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For those unfamiliar with Space in Miniature, the company is owned and operated by Mr Michael J. Mackowski out of Gilbert, Arizona in the United States. 

As the name suggests, Space in Miniature concentrate on covering spacecraft, specifically, what is termed “Real Space” spacecraft rather than science fiction machines and they produce monographs (magazine style books of about 40 to 60 pages each) that will help you in producing accurate renditions of actual machines. 

As an engineer in the aerospace industry the owner/author is well qualified in the subject and the company has created seven books to date.   This one, #7 covering the Apollo Lunar Module series is the latest addition to their range. 

The book starts off with an introduction and a brief history of the Apollo program’s lunar module with the following chapters covering the module’s configuration history and colours.  Following this there is comprehensive 11 page chapter that deal with building and detailing the Monogram 1/48 scale kit.  A chapter giving reviews of the available lunar module kits in all scales follows – much like the Detail in Scale series of books with a list of reference and sources rounding it all out. 

As you would expect of a reference book it is comprehensively illustrated.  There are 53 black and white photographs and 126 drawings in all.  I was a little disappointed with the photographs at first wondering why they were all black and white rather than the beautiful colour ones that were a feature of the Apollo series but I’m guessing that this avenue has been chosen to keep the costs down.  However all is not lost as a trip to the Space in Miniature web site at:

http://www.spaceinminiature.com/ref/apollo/sim7_photos1.html 

...provides you with all of the photographs used in the book in full colour, great idea as far as I am concerned as it keeps the production costs down and makes the book very affordable.   

The book comprises 50 pages in all including the covers.  The covers themselves are thin card whilst the pages are semi gloss good quality paper.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Speaking of price, the book sells for $12.00 (USD) plus postage and you can order one direct from their website.

As someone who lived through the space race I was very interested in getting a hold of this book for a browse.  The browse soon turned to a cover to cover read and the desire to seek out and build the Monogram kit, such is the level of detail the book provides.

Recommended.

Thanks to Space in Miniature for the review sample

Review Copyright © 2007 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 26 November, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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