Bandai's new model of Space Shuttle Endeavour

Cutaway views of the Endeavour collectible, the second in Bandai's "Super Alloy" series

Bandai Co.'s toy-making division today announced that on on December 3, 2010, the company will release a zinc alloy 1/144-scale model of the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour. In 1992, astronaut Mamoru Mohri was its first Japanese payload specialist. Endeavour will fly its final mission—which will also be the final mission of the entire Space Shuttle program—in 2011.

Collectspace.com editor Robert Pearlman writes,

The 47,250 yen ($540 US) model includes removable panels exposing the crew cabin flight- and mid-decks, as well as the orbital maneuvering system tanks. Endeavour can separate from the twin solid rocket boosters and external tank, open its payload bay (included are a Spacelab pallet and Mulit-Purpose Logistics Module) and deploy its landing gear and tail-mounted speed brake.

This will be the second in Banda's "super alloy" collectible series: in March, the company released an Apollo II Saturn V.

Bandai to release U.S. space shuttle Endeavour model (Collect Space)

More product images on the Bandai distribution website.

• [Big Daddy]

  Worth noting that LEGO just released it’s Shuttle Adventure set.

  http://shop.lego.com/Product/?p=10213

  Cheaper than this, and more fun, since you can take it apart and build your stuff.

• [tp1024]

  I’d rather get a Soyuz – a sleek silvery beauty, not that clunky birdsh*t colored heap of scrap. But that’s just my communist infested mind.

• [coaxial]

  And the SpaceLab modules are installed BACKWARDS in the model.

  I’m sorry, but that just kills it for me. My cheap diecast models back in the 80s never made that mistake.

  • [collectSPACE]

    The “SpaceLab modules” are not installed backwards: the layout recreates Endeavour’s payload for its April 2001 STS-100 mission to the International Space Station. From forward to aft in the payload bay you have the exterior airlock and docking adapter; Spacelab pallet carrying the Canadarm2 remote manipulator system, the space station’s primary robotic arm, which was launched on that mission; and the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) “Raffaello,” which was temporarily berthed on the station to deliver supplies and equipment and then returned to Earth with Endeavour.

    That’s not to say that the model is not without a few issues. At present, it appears that Bandai has mistaken the orbiter boom sensor system (OBSS) — the 50-foot extension to the shuttle’s Canadarm mounted on the starboard sill of the payload bay — for a second robotic arm.

• [juepucta]

  Nice to see that they included the Canadarm!

  (read the wiki for more info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadarm )

  :)

  -G.

• [grimc]

  Also pictured: The Space Shuttle program replacement, the Space Winny. Not as much room for cargo, but a heckuva lot more fun.

  • [Brainspore]

    Yep, those two models are begging to be broken apart and reassembled as Lone Star’s ride from “Spaceballs.”

    • [grimc]

      Excellent point :)

• [dhalgren]

  This model is so full of awesome it makes me sick to my stomach because I can’t afford it. $$$ towards new computer or kick-ass model? Sigh.

• [Chentzilla]

  I like the spacemen.

• [Anonymous]

  Where’s the bathroom on this ride?