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  Bandai's space shuttle Endeavour 1:144 model (Page 3)

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Author Topic:   Bandai's space shuttle Endeavour 1:144 model
Philip
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Posts: 6259
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 07-13-2011 01:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philip   Click Here to Email Philip     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Now if they could just make an "Atlantis" version I would certainly buy one.

SuperKungFu
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Posts: 74
From: West Covina, CA USA
Registered: Jun 2011

posted 07-23-2011 11:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SuperKungFu   Click Here to Email SuperKungFu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So I want to ask again about the accuracy of the payload.

For example, as mentioned earlier the payload seems to be the STS-100 loadout. But Bandai included the orbiter boom sensor system, a 50-foot extension that wasn't added until after STS-114 correct?

And since Bandai made this shuttle because it carried the first Japanese astronaut Mamoru Mohri, he only flew on STS-49 and 99 so the orbiter boom sensor shouldn't be there right?

SuperKungFu
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Posts: 74
From: West Covina, CA USA
Registered: Jun 2011

posted 08-04-2011 12:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SuperKungFu   Click Here to Email SuperKungFu     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I got the model and I made a long review. Didn't want to post it here because it would have to be separated to a lot of posts due to the picture count. So visit here if you want to see and read it.

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 2136
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 08-04-2011 06:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great review! I really like how you counted down the days to flight to explain the various parts. Excellent!

frank3si
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Posts: 20
From: Blackwood NJ
Registered: Aug 2011

posted 08-11-2011 03:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for frank3si     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am curious about the AC connections for the Bandai Endeavour.

Mine just arrived, and it is stunning but it came with no plug for connecting to an outlet. I noted that SuperKungFu made mention of the same situation in his fantastic review of this model (which is what finally pushed me over the edge to buy one of these).

Did others here get a "wall wart" or something similar for lighting their models without battery use?

alexbaja
Member

Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 08-12-2011 12:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by alexbaja:
My model came with a 100v adapter which I am using a voltage converter as in Malta we use 240v. The D/C output is 5.0v and 1.0A and the centre pin is +.
Mine had come with the original AC adapter but there are a few which did not, if it is of any help I had posted this quote so it should help you purchase one. I would always recommend to take the base with you to see that the socket fits snugly.

GoesTo11
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Posts: 1374
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 08-17-2011 10:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My model included the US-compatible AC wall adapter for the lighted base. I haven't permanently unpacked and displayed my model yet, but I've tested the adapter with the base and it works.

For what it's worth, I bought my model from AmiAmi in Japan as opposed to a western distributor. No idea if that made any difference or not.

press4meco
Member

Posts: 58
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 02-26-2012 11:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for press4meco   Click Here to Email press4meco     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know how easy (or difficult) it would be to remove the "Endeavour" markings from this model? Has anyone even bothered attempting to modifying this model?

1/144 decals are easy enough to come-by for the orbiters so, I'm just wondering how much effort would be involved in renaming the orbiter.

Norman.King
Member

Posts: 403
From: Herne Bay, Kent, UK
Registered: Feb 2010

posted 02-27-2012 01:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Norman.King   Click Here to Email Norman.King     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by press4meco:
Does anyone know how easy (or difficult) it would be to remove the "Endeavour" markings from this model?
I don't know the answer to your question but if the Bandai shuttle goes the same way as their Saturn V you might want to leave yours untouched. I've just seen a Bandai Saturn V sell on eBay for just over $1300 plus $125 shipping!

alexbaja
Member

Posts: 448
From: Naxxar, Malta
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 02-27-2012 02:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for alexbaja   Click Here to Email alexbaja     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by press4meco:
Has anyone even bothered attempting to modifying this model?
I think it is going to be difficult to find somebody risking modifying the Bandai shuttle.

It is to high a risk attempting to modify one of these models just to have a different setup, well that is my opinion.

history in miniature
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Posts: 646
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 02-27-2012 04:21 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for history in miniature   Click Here to Email history in miniature     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There is a product sold by MicroMark tools called a micromesh polishing system that I use to finish automobile paint finishes, It's a kit that includes various grades of rubberized wet sandpaper that start at 1200 grit which increases to 10,000 grit. I must warn you that this polishing technique takes years to perfect and if not careful will not only remove the markings but may also affect any paint in the surrounding area if not careful.

GoesTo11
Member

Posts: 1374
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 02-27-2012 11:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There are really people out there willing to potentially wreck the Bandai model just to change the name of the orbiter? Why?

cspg
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Posts: 6371
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006

posted 02-28-2012 01:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for cspg   Click Here to Email cspg     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
It's Bandai's fault. Columbia with a white ET would have been nice, as a second model!

p51
Member

Posts: 1784
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted 02-28-2012 08:48 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for p51   Click Here to Email p51     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by GoesTo11:
There are really people out there willing to potentially wreck the Bandai model just to change the name of the orbiter? Why?
I think it's a matter of which way you're looking at the model. If you are a 'die-cast collector,' you're never dream of modifying anything (and many would never even take it out of the box for any reason). If you have a 'modeler' mindset, you wouldn't think twice about improving or changing things on it, because that mindset often doesn't like out of the box at all. Many of them think that unless you modify something, it's only a toy.

I had bought a Corgi 1/72nd scale B-17 bomber (the 91st Bomb Group '909' one, as I have flown In a real B-17 painted like that more than once) and it drove me nuts that the group marking was missing from the upper wing (it was a white triangle that was there, but the big letter "A" was missing. I bought a decal sheet with the correct marking and I was going to put it on there to make the markings accurate, and people I knew who collected die cast stuff went nuts. In the end, I sold it at a show as I didn't have room to dedicate it to and never put the decal on, but I would have changed it if I was going to keep it.

As for this model, I have more of an affinity for the Challenger and Atlantis and would rather it be marked for either of them. I just wish they left it blank and provided a decal sheet. But that's not really what the 'die-cast collector' types look for in models like this. I can't justify over five hundred clams for this, no matter how impressive it is.

GoesTo11
Member

Posts: 1374
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 02-28-2012 09:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yeah, I get what you mean about the "collector vs. modeler" dichotomy. I just don't understand why anyone would buy THIS model with the intent of modifying it... I'd think a modeler with that kind of confidence in their skills would prefer to just start with a kit and create exactly what they want.

Me (and my 20-year-dormant modeling experience) wouldn't dream of it. If I absolutely had to have a particular orbiter, I'd just buy a kit and pay one of the experts here to build it up.

press4meco
Member

Posts: 58
From: Merritt Island, FL
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 02-28-2012 11:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for press4meco   Click Here to Email press4meco     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by GoesTo11:
There are really people out there willing to potentially wreck the Bandai model just to change the name of the orbiter? Why?
Haha...well, just to set the record straight, the reason I am asking is that I was considering getting a second one of these. I fully understand the grandeur of this model, so the last thing I'd want to do is "wreck" this model, trust me.

I have one from when it first came out which I have on display in the launch config. Having spent plenty of time admiring it, since I've wanted a shuttle model of this level of detail for sometime, I thought it would be nice to have another to display in the on-orbit config, but in a different name if possible. No commitments have been made.

I've never had the time to hone any modeling skills, so there's no chance right now for a personally built highly detailed model, so instead I'm limited to the prebuilt models on the market.

SpaceAngel
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Posts: 475
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010

posted 04-30-2012 03:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAngel   Click Here to Email SpaceAngel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If anyone agrees with me or not, I feel that Bandai should have named the shuttle Discovery; I don't have a problem with Endeavour but I think that the name Discovery should deserve to be the model name.

garyd2831
Member

Posts: 641
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009

posted 04-30-2012 04:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garyd2831   Click Here to Email garyd2831     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Personally, I would love to see one for each orbiter name to include both paint schemes for Enterprise (pre and post 1983). Of course this would require a white external name for the 1979 rollout and the reddish for VAFB.

Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 52541
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 04-30-2012 04:56 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As noted earlier, Endeavour was chosen to recognize that shuttle's role flying the Mamoru Mohri as the first Japanese payload specialist in 1992.

SpaceAngel
Member

Posts: 475
From: Maryland
Registered: May 2010

posted 05-01-2012 06:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SpaceAngel   Click Here to Email SpaceAngel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I see...

the clocks running
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Posts: 383
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012

posted 05-31-2012 10:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for the clocks running   Click Here to Email the clocks running     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I really love this model and am very happy that I purchased it. Looking at this post saddens me because I can't believe that our shuttle fleet is no more. Wow!

Also, I just looked at the eBay completed auctions and found that this model just sold recently for $1310. The other bad news is that the U.S. distributor, Bluefin Distribution, no longer includes the Bandai shuttle on their website.

mike_nz
Member

Posts: 16
From: Canterbury, New Zealand
Registered: Jun 2012

posted 06-28-2012 12:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for mike_nz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recently purchased the Bandai shuttle from a U.S. retailer via Amazon. There's a missing part from the ET support stand and the response from the retailer is that the distributor is unable to help them.

Does anyone have contact details for Bandai Support that I could use to email Bandai directly? The retailer is reluctant to cannibalise existing stock as it won't fix his problem - I'm inclined to agree, and would like to see why Bandai won't play the game. Thanks in advance for any help!

the clocks running
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Posts: 383
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012

posted 06-28-2012 06:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for the clocks running   Click Here to Email the clocks running     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
If you want to push the issue with Amazon they will support you and force the retailer to exchange the item, replace the missing part, or offer a refund. You purchased the item new and completely have the right to the full product. You are in the driver seat here. I wish you the best with resolving this.

Here is what I can tell you though. The Bandai Tamashii division created the Otona No Chogokin series which include the Shuttle. I own this beautiful model along with the Saturn V. I am missing a part that was not included with my Saturn V model. My concern is that because these models were in limited production the replacement parts may not even exist.

jonspace
Member

Posts: 169
From:
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 12-23-2014 07:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jonspace   Click Here to Email jonspace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Anyone know if Bandai will be reissuing the Space Shuttle (or release some shuttle variant)?

Skythings
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Posts: 273
From:
Registered: Jun 2014

posted 08-16-2015 07:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skythings   Click Here to Email Skythings     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So I just took the plunge and purchased a Bandai Shuttle model a couple weeks back. $1000 with free shipping from Japan was about as good as it was ever gonna get for a new one. The used one's on eBay were getting $800-$1000 either broken or without a box.

I had never actually seen one in person so I made all my judgements by looking at pictures. When my model arrived last week, I was not disappointed, they are amazing. The detail, the colour, even the weight is what I expected.

One of the things I have always disliked about this model was the plastic base it sits on. I felt the base is not the same quality as the model and it is very big and just seems cheap and tacky in my opinion. The spotlights were of no interest to me and require either batteries or a power cord. My display case is now getting very cramped and real estate is a problem. After holding the real base in my hands, my feelings were confirmed. It is plastic, cheaply constructed and shows scratches on the plexiglass cover over the graphic even when new. Not at all the quality of the actual model.

I had already decided I was going to make another base for it to sit before it arrived. My initial thoughts were to make an acrylic base where the model sat depicting a 60 degree inverted climb attitude after roll at launch. After handling the model, my main concern was the attach points between the orbiter and the main tank. Would they hold the weight of the orbiter hanging almost upside down? I decided not to take the chance and went with a wood plinth utilizing the hardware from Bandai.

Using the plexiglass top on the Bandai base, I traced the holes onto the wood base and carved the grooves for the hardware with a high speed Dremel. After much sanding and three coats of Tremclad flat black paint, I was able to plug in the five plastic Bandai pieces which support the Orbiter and display my new model today.

The model displays in the launch position. The new base measures 8x7 inches by 1 1/2 inches high with 15 degree sloped edges. In my opinion it looks much more professional than the Bandai base and now fits into my space model section of my display case.

David C
Member

Posts: 1443
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 08-17-2015 12:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Nice job. I have two of these on display. One absolutely stock on the Bandai launch stand. The other modified slightly (closed star tracker doors, open fuselage vents and APU exhausts) - gliding back.

Before anyone goes nuts about my ruining a Bandai model, I got the second one for a silly price from a guy on eBay who couldn't spell (well, I guess we both couldn't). Turns out he was ten minutes down the road from me so no postage either. He had several. Looking at the prices now, I wish I'd bought more.

Ronpur
Member

Posts: 1260
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012

posted 08-17-2015 11:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ronpur   Click Here to Email Ronpur     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Very nice base that matches the others in your display case.

Skythings
Member

Posts: 273
From:
Registered: Jun 2014

posted 08-22-2015 01:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skythings   Click Here to Email Skythings     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just completed the photo shoot for my website pics of the Bandai Shuttle. Here is the link to my website.

Pearson
Member

Posts: 15
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015

posted 05-11-2018 02:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pearson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think that it would be nice if Bandai produced the Columbia and Challenger shuttles as a fitting tribute to each crew member. I'd definitely get the Challenger since I got to witness her land at Edwards Air Force base.

Tykeanaut
Member

Posts: 2264
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008

posted 05-11-2018 05:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tykeanaut   Click Here to Email Tykeanaut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Skythings:
I just completed the photo shoot for my website pics of the Bandai Shuttle.
Great pics, looks real!

Pearson
Member

Posts: 15
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015

posted 05-20-2018 07:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pearson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Skythings:
So I just took the plunge and purchased a Bandai Shuttle model...
You have done a nice job displaying your shuttle.

I wish that I had found and joined this site sooner so I would've known that this was coming out. Now I have to buy it secondhand and at a steep price, have to save a couple of months though.

Rocket Chris
Member

Posts: 449
From: Guttentag
Registered: Nov 2009

posted 09-02-2019 04:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rocket Chris   Click Here to Email Rocket Chris     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am seeking an acrylic display case for that model but I do not find anything that fits. Does anyone have a display case and if so is it customized or are there suitable cases somewhere to find?

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 3075
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-02-2019 08:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Try this site as you can get a custom case size.

PeterO
Member

Posts: 459
From: North Carolina
Registered: Mar 2002

posted 09-02-2019 09:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PeterO   Click Here to Email PeterO     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've used this vendor for several large model cases, and have been very pleased with their quality.

Pearson
Member

Posts: 15
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015

posted 05-31-2024 12:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pearson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was wondering, has anyone tried to do a petition on trying to have Bandai possibly do another shuttle model or do a reissue of this one? Because it's kind of a hard pill to swallow buying one from eBay at $1300USD or higher.

David C
Member

Posts: 1443
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012

posted 06-01-2024 06:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for David C     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don’t know of anyone trying. I have two already, but I’d be in for Columbia STS-1 , and Endeavour STS-61 (different livery and with Hubble). eBay prices are ridiculous.

Pearson
Member

Posts: 15
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015

posted 06-04-2024 10:11 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pearson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I might start one, if there is a enough interest in kindly asking Bandai to consider doing either the Columbia STS-1 and/or Endeavour STS-61.

Like have said previously, I joined this site a little too late or I would've grabbed one of these when they were much cheaper. I have several Bandai-Tamashii Metal Build Gundams and even then they had nothing on their website about it.

RocketmanRob
Member

Posts: 296
From: New York City USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 06-04-2024 11:27 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for RocketmanRob   Click Here to Email RocketmanRob     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would definitely be interested in purchasing one if they were made available again.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 3075
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 06-04-2024 11:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I would be on board with a purchase at the original price with an anticipation of a price increase given the time since original offer.

Pearson
Member

Posts: 15
From: Ohio
Registered: Jul 2015

posted 06-07-2024 11:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Pearson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is what I have, please tell me what you think or offer any advise as what to include in this endeavour, no pun intended. Thank you.

"Ever since the release of the original Otona no Chogokin Space Shuttle Endeavour, it has been very popular with space shuttle enthusiasts around the world. Now that they are very hard to come by and if you do find one on the second hand market, they are very expensive. So us enthusiasts who missed out on the original, we humbly ask you at Bandai to please consider on making another round of these fine space craft. There is definitely a market out there for them as they sold out at retailers very quickly, so we are sure these would do the same. So if you do take in consideration of producing another, we would like to see a tribute to one of the fallen shuttles, the Columbia or Challenger, maybe either the Columbia STS-1 and/or Endeavour STS-61 shuttles. Thank you for your time and consideration as we are sure these would be as popular as the first run of the Space Shuttle Endeavour."


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