On the morning of 12th April 1961 the Russian Cosmonaut Juri Alexejewitsch Gagarin took-off from the Soviet Cosmodrome at Baikonur to become the first man in space. The Vostok Spacecraft consisting of two separate modules now made it possible to return from Space to the Earth for the very first time. All the important sequences such as ignition of the braking rockets towards the end of the flight were completely automated. A modified R-7 Intercontinental Rocket with a take-off weight of 360 tons was used as the launch vehicle. The duration of the mission was calculated using an orbital height of between 180 km and 230 km. The Spacecraft achieved orbit 14 minutes after take-off at 0707 hrs Central European Time. During the flight, Gagarin used the radio to report the condition of technical systems, his health and his impressions of the flight. At 0807hrs Gagarin began preparations for his return to Earth. After a total flight time of 1 hour and 48 minutes covering a distance of 41000 km (25461 miles) he successfully landed near the South-west Russian town of Engels at 0855 hrs. The announcement of the successful launch of the Vostok Rocket was transmitted 55 minutes after take-off over Radio Moscow and in the USA had a similar effect to that of the Sputnik 1 four years earlier. The flight counts as one of the greatest success's in the history of Soviet Space Flight.

Model Information:

Skill Level: 3

Contains 61 parts, textured final stage rocket, control nozzles, supply module with oxygen/nitrogen tanks, Vostok Cosmonaut Capsule, Cosmonauts Cockpit, Cosmonaut figure with Visor, separate emergency exit, extensive aerial array, display stand and decal set.

Dimensions:
Length: 313 mm

Revell Paint Colours: 4, 8, 30, 45, 99 and 364