This is a 1/162 scale flying model of the Soviet Energia/Buran heavy lift booster and space shuttle. The real Buran, which was copied from the American shuttle, flew only once in 1988, a perfect two orbit flight and landing, completely automated. Energia flew twice. The only shuttle to fly in space was destroyed several years ago in a vehicle assembly building collapse.

I based the model on the old Estes Space Shuttle stack. It took me about two years of off and on building. The Energia features numerous vacuum-formed details; I shaped the masters out of balsa and cardboard tubing. Other details were made with Evergreen styrene strips, rods, and corrugated sheet. The Buran features a scratchbuilt rear, nose, rudder, and cut down wings. I carved the masters for these pieces from pine and also vacuum formed a new fuselage and wings from the Estes original orbiter. The highlight of the model is a set of custom-drawn decals I had made by Excelsior Rocketry, including the complicated tile lines on the Buran.

Because it's a flying model, there are several concessions: the Buran's wings are oversized a bit to allow it to glide, and I use a set of clear plastic fins for flight. It's made one flight so far on an Estes D12 motor. Despite losing two fins, the model flew well, arcing over a bit, but with a safe recovery and nice glide by the Buran.

Image: Right side

Image: Looking down

Image: Energia Booster

Image: It Flies!