Boeing 747 Space Shuttle Carriers (SCA) in 1:400 Scale
|
Modified: January 2025
|
|
The 747 SCA is a relatively simple, but spectacular conversion undertaken by NASA on a pair of 747s. N905NA was converted in 1976 and had originally been a 747-123 delivered to American Airlines. Until the early 1980s she wore a basic American Airlines livery. The second aircraft is a 747-146/SR acquired from Japan Air Lines and converted in 1988. Both aircraft were used to ferry the NASA Space Shuttle Orbiters until their retirement and preservation in 2011. For much more on the SCA programme see the Wikipedia page here - Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
Rossbarranco at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
|
NASA/Dryden Flight Research Center, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
|
Below: N905NA's operational history:
Autopilot, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
The Boeing 747 SCA in 1:400 Scale
Until the appearance of the HX Models 747 SCA sample the only available Shuttle Carrier 747 in 400 Scale was the Dragon Wings version. They made only 9 releases in total (including one for Jet-X). Eight of these carry shuttles and one release comes with the experimental X-45C Phantom Ray. There has been a single announcement so far for the new HX Models version.
For a video introduction of the 747 SCAs see here:
MOULDS
Dragon Wings (2001-2011)
|
|
The Dragon SCA builds on the good Dragon 747-100 mould to make a great shuttle carrier. These have easily been some of the rarest and most expensive models in 400 scale. Considering their age they are very impressive even nowadays. The only downside is that the number of releases is low and the range of shuttles used small. Of the 9 releases only 7 are distinct as 2 come in chrome or metal magic versions.
HX Models
|
|
Recently photos have been circulated by the factory that makes HX Models of a new 747 SCA mould. It is based on the excellent HX Models 747 mould and the first release will be an example for Patriot Models:
I have recently received a sample mould for the type and have made a Youtube video of it:
Here are a selection of photos of the new sample:
