Apollo Modelers Group

I have elected myself as the clearinghouse for this accounting of the two kits. Please e-mail me with your comments so I can add them to this list. (This way we won't clutter up the site with comments/observations) My e-mail is shimeeks@hotmail.com  (It was a "clever" attempt at using parts of the family names as an e-mail address!)

Saturn 5 in 1/144 Scale

RM = Revell/Monogram kit    AF = Airfix kit
                               
F-1 Engines: RM has the turbopump and duct connected to the main engine bell (there should be daylight here)                    
F-1 Engine Mount: RM has the upper plumbing molded to the Heat Shield 
S-IC Fins, Tunnels,& Fairings: RM tunnel fairing contour is too round with no stiffening ribs
S-IC Boattail: RM Aerodynamic fairings don't terminate on the lower RP-1 tank, the holddown structure cut into the thrust structure is non-existent
S-IC Stage Halves: 
S-IC LOX Tank Bulkhead:
S-II Aft Interstage: RM is obviously smaller than the S-IC below it 
S-II Ullage Fairings:
S-II J-2 Engines: RM represented by 5 cup-like pieces with no upper engine bell or plumbing
J-2 Engine Mount: RM tries to be the heat shield
S-II Thrust Structure: RM no stringers or engine mounting hardware
S-II Stage Halves: RM one side is usually warped, AF has mysterious Blisters near the forward skirt,
S-II Tunnels & Fairings: RM LOX vent fairing is squared off (in plan view)instead of pointed, 
S-II LH2 Tank Bulkhead: RM looks like the transportation stiffening support.
S-IVB Aft Interstage: RM the ullage rocket fairings don't have the base pad and the tops of the rocket covers aren't angled
S-IVB J-2 Engine:
S-IVB Engine Mount: RM is totally conical - like totally!
S-IVB Stage Halves:
S-IVB Tunnels & Fairings: RM one of the fairings and it's associated mounting pad is too long
IU Fairings: RM there are no antenna fairings at all
SLA: RM and AF I think we've beaten these to death in other threads
LM:Likewise
SM:Ditto, Block I, RCS quads molded to sides
CM:Yup
LET:RM "heavy" frame tubes and no motor nozzles.

OVER-ALL:RM Up to the IU the stage lengths and diameters are quite accurate, above the IU the component lengths are correct but the diameter of the CSM is wrong.  The antenna fairings on the S-IVB forward skirt are well done. The short comings of the stringers are more a restriction of the molding process (ya gotta get the part out of the mold once it cools), as is the S-IC boattail (it's a little wider at the bottom). There are no umbillical connection areas on any part of the vehicle. What was going on in their head with the J-2's on the S-II will be a subject of debate for our grandchildren! They HAD a decent representation of the J-2 for the S-IVB, WHY NOT COPY IT 5 MORE TIMES FOR THE S-II! 
I believe RM did the best they could with the available info (and budget) they had at the time. At a distance, if properly painted, the model is fairly proportional and gives the viewer the right "feel" for how the actual rocket looked.