Round2 Models has re-released an improved version of MPC's Moonbase Alpha kit, which was offered previously in 1976 and 1999. The moonbase model is now more accurate and the base is larger. New parts are provided for the Eagle landing pads, and six new, in-scale Eagle transporters are included. There are new decals for the landing pads, computer wall, and console details.
The promotional box art that Round2 has provided to kit dealers represents the original version of the kit with the Main Mission diorama mounted to the original rectangular vacuum formed base. The new, smaller box that actually comes with the product portrays the larger square base that does not have Main Mission mounted to it. There is no nameplate molded into the base this time.
The original, nearly 1-inch Eagles are still included with their old launch pads. This makes a total of twelve Eagles when counted with the new half-inch versions. So, all the original injection-molded parts are there.
The parts in my kit had quite a bit of persistent mold-release agent on them, which would prevent paint from going on smoothly. Scrubbing them with soapy water might not be enough to remove it. Paint thinner or rubbing alcohol might be needed. Check your solvent first on a piece of sprue to be sure it doesn’t melt the plastic and use safety precautions if working with flammable solvents.
There is a little flash and round injector pin marks on the Main Mission wall panels that will require some filler putty. Sinkholes mar a few parts as well. The parts for the moon base will require less preparation than the pieces for Main Mission. Sprue attachment points are a tad thick on all of the Eagles, so one should be careful to avoid damaging them while cutting off the sprue. New styrene travel tubes also have ejection-pin marks on the top surfaces.
While the Moonbase is much improved, the Main Mission control room model appears unchanged. Most glaring discrepancies in accuracy include the spiral staircase and the angles of the panels on the computer wall. Any modeler with proficiency in scratch-building should have no trouble correcting these issues, which are minor anyway.
This is not a new, state-of-the-art kit. Chances are that most prospective purchasers are aware of this and will buy because they remember building it (or wanting it) when 1999 was far off into the future. The retro-style box art, new decals, and improvements to accuracy of the moon base diorama should make modelers happy if they are prepared to do some work that one would expect on kit engineered decades ago. Round2 has improved the kit while retaining most of its classic features.
