Hobby Master 1/200 NASA Rockwell Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise OV-101 (HL1408)

Description

Up for sale is a brand new 1:72 scale NASA Rockwell Space Shuttle Orbiter Enterprise OV-101 (HL1408)

The U.S. Space Shuttle program started with the awarding of the contract to Rockwell International’s Space Transportation Systems Division. There were 6 shuttles built, Enterprise OV- 101 (Orbital Vehicle) for testing, Columbia OV-102, Challenger OV-099, Discovery OV-103, Atlantis OV-104 and Endeavour OV-105. The first of 135 Space Shuttle missions took place April 12, 1981 and lasted 2 days 6 hours when STS-1 (Space Transportation System) was launched using Space Shuttle Columbia.

Space Shuttle Enterprise OV-101 was the first orbiter of the Space Shuttle system. Rolled out on September 17, 1976, it was built for NASA as part of the Space Shuttle program to perform atmospheric test flights after being launched from a modified Boeing 747. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield. As a result, it was not capable of spaceflight.

Originally, Enterprise had been intended to be refitted for orbital flight to become the second space-rated orbiter in service. However, during the construction of Space Shuttle Columbia , details of the final design changed, making it simpler and less costly to build Challenger around a body frame that had been built as a test article. Similarly, Enterprise was considered for refit to replace Challenger after the latter was destroyed, but Endeavour was built from structural spares instead.

Enterprise was restored and placed on display in 2003 at the Smithsonian’s new Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. Following the retirement of the Space Shuttle fleet, Discovery replaced Enterprise at the Udvar-Hazy Center, and Enterprise was transferred to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City, where it has been on display since July 2012.

This model air-plane is made from die-cast metal and plastic and include extensive detailing. It is similar in quality to Century Wings, Calibre Wings and Forces of Valor.

Includes display stand.

Additional information