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Chris Wallace
16 articles

AMP 1/72 X-20 Dyna-Soar

January 24, 2023 · in Space · · 12 · 0.6K

They can't all be winners, unfortunately. But you can always learn something along the way. I am not sure whether it was the kit or me, but I ran into issues that I couldn't fix. The fuselage is very thin and flimsy and when I tried to fit the cockpit into the fuselage, I could not get it to fit or sit properly. If I were to do it again I would dry fit everything and attempt to assemble it before committing any glue.

At one point I just gave up on the idea of perfection and decided to use the build as an opportunity to try some new weathering techniques and to paint up a planet. In the end, I got an interesting model built and learned a few more tricks.

For those interested, I have a build blog at https://modelairplanemaker.com/2023/01/24/1-72-amp-x-20-no-its-a-dyna-soar/
And a video here: https://youtu.be/P4cx1n8xNdo

Reader reactions:
13  Awesome

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12 responses

  1. Love it, Chris! A subject rarely seen built and, certainly, looking like a winner from here!
    Nice writeup on your website and a great video, too!
    Well done

  2. Looks like a great result from here too, Chris @modelairplanemaker
    The stand gives it a very nice dimension.

  3. That was a great video Chris. I've built a few that needed a file, chisel and hammer to get it done LOL...great job on the model and stand. Your model reminded me of the first time I saw the X-20 Dyna-Soar in the 1964-1965 NY Worlds Fair.

    • was that at the Science pavilion?

      • I remember it being across the main road, we had to walk over on a pedestrian bridge. That stayed open until 1970 or 1971. I was 4 or 5 the first time there, 11 the last time. My memory is a bit worn out from then but I really enjoyed that place.

        That was a great World's Fair.

      • Robert @roofrat, I just had a talk with my brother, he thinks this exhibit was built after the World"s Fair. He remembers us walking into a building and the inside was all black, big screen at one end to see a movie on the Dyna Soar and when the movie stopped, above the Dyna-Soar was moving above us on a track that we can barely see across the ceiling. It was pretty big. We don't remember if it was simulating a docking or just moving across. The movie continued for the re-entry to earth. The location may have not been the old Science pavilion.

        • The original blue glass structure was built for the fair and was intended to remain after. I remember a yellow orbital station. with little shuttles docking with it. Today it's been expanded and updated many times, although I haven't been there since the seventies. I have fond memories of the fair myself.

  4. You did a great job on this. Another USAF space project like the M.O.L. [Manned Orbital Laboratory] that wasn't realized.

  5. Every build for me is a new experiment and learning opportunity! Nice job on this interesting subject.

  6. Great model, Chris (@modelairplanemaker). I have built 3 AMP kits, and they seem to either be wonderful or amazingly tough to build. I think I like them because they tend to have some obscure subjects which look really cool.

  7. Well done Chris @modelairplanemaker - I watched your video and was very impressed with the finish and how you did the globe. The model turned out very well in my opinion. Well done. Looked like a real challenge.

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