Wow...just got an email from Steve Iverson announcing pre-orders for a Moebius re-issue of the Aurora Moonbus!

Just checked the Cultman site but it's not on there yet...

I just got news from Moebius Models that they will be releasing the Aurora Moonbus! The kit will come in a paper wrapped-Aurora style box, just like the original. Expected release date is March 2009

We'll begin taking preorders tonight in the CultTVman Hobbyshop.

More soon.
Steve

I guess someone has ironed out the 2001 ownership rights trail.

I'm excited about this one, Well done Moebius!

Oh and I think Steve got the year wrong...

Steve noticed...

Of course, I meant March 2010!

Steve

Steve clarified it's March, 2010.

In a sense we are all overjoyed,but a brand new retooled and precise Moonbus would have been even better.Since they seem to have the 2001 licence,I certainly hope that a 12 inches in diameter or more Space Station will be issued with option of either fully completed or partially completed Space Station just like in the movie.And let's not forget the astronauts figures.:thumbsup:

Great to see this happening but what would be even better is if Moebius have acquired the rights to all the 2001 designs.
I'd love to see a range of kits released to match the quality of the Flying Sub...particularly an Aries 1B

:dude: Who's to say Moebius DOESN'T have the rights to "all" of the 2001 designs?
I'm greatful for the Aurora Moonbus re-pop, and would even welcome an Aurora re-pop of the Pan Am Space Shuttle, and knowing the pure talents at the disposal of Moebius, a 2001 Space Pod or Discovery wouldn't be impossible.
I'll be patient and stay tuned. Until then,
THANKS AGAIN, FRANK!
:hat:

Sure would be nice if they could retool the kit to include clear parts...............LOL!Well done,Frank and Dave!

Before we get into a bunch of conjecture about the extent of this licensing, I wonder if Frank can confirm if it's a 'Moonbus only' deal, or the whole 2001 enchilada...

I'd still want a space station even if I don't get the PanAm or Moonbus.

Michael

All I know is that it's a kit I wont have to spend a ton of money to get,and I am very happy!

i hope frank does a 1/12 or 1/6 space pod from 2001

"I know this news sounds rather incredible, therefore we're checking it's authenticity with our twin niner triple zero computer."

"Please! One miracle at a time." - Col. Robert Hogan, Hogan's Heroes

Boy! I'm happy about the Moonbus and all but it would have been better if they had included a tiny little Harry Dean Stanton as a crew member. :(

Well if this is true it's great news:thumbsup:

WOOHOOOOO!!!!!

Frank, I love ya!!

Let's see, one in UPS markings, one in FedEx.... :D

Oh yeah - somebody needs to work up an accurizing kit to address whatever inaccuracies the kit has.

Waiting for confirmation before getting TOO excited...but this is a kit I have always wanted to get my hands on!

I think we can safely say the Moonbus is a definite, given the source.

I'm sure we would all like to know if the Pan Am Clipper and any potential new kits will be included in the licence. I know I would buy just about anything from 2001.

Better stock up on your white and silver paints Guys!

Geekgasm!!!!

We have announced the reissue of the Moon Bus. As long as there are no unseen problems, it will be out about March 2010. As far as anything further, we'll see how the Moon Bus sells.

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!:thumbsup::):hat::p


How it sells? One would have to compare to the Voyager sales and X that by 3....I think
that about says it. Isn't it one of the TOP 5 Sci-Fi wish kits?

DREAMS DO COME TRUE!!:thumbsup::):hat::p
Frank.....is this for real? GULP.

For real.... Unless something really weird happens....

I know you want one,Frank..........

I know you want one,Frank..........

I've wanted to do this for a while, but it took some time to make the decision.

This is GREAT!!!!! Can't wait....

Well done!

I won't get on the expectation train as to other kits, but I think the buying public really wants to know, is this actual Aurora tools or reverse engineering from a kit?

I'm going to assume there won't be any tweaking, that's what the aftermarket is for anyway :)

Well done!

I won't get on the expectation train as to other kits, but I think the buying public really wants to know, is this actual Aurora tools or reverse engineering from a kit?

I'm going to assume there won't be any tweaking, that's what the aftermarket is for anyway :)

There is no Aurora tool for this.

Terrific news...and especially that its going to be an EXACT or near exact repop of the aurora moonbus!...I love the nostalgia of the reissues...I am
not a fan of upscaled or "changed" kits that much...even though I have a Built one, and MIB one I am still going to get a few of those!:thumbsup:

Z

I'm at LEAST as excited as everyone else about this announcement, but PLEASE! Please let's restrain ourselves and not make asses of ourselves as we did with the Jupiter 2 announcement. The demands, the squabbles, the arguments, just make people upset. People you don't want to be upset. People like Dave and Frank, who have worked hard to give us those kits we've longed for for untold years. Please let them tell us the details of the kit as it suits them. Please don't make suggestions (or God forbid, demands!) unless they announce they are looking for help with the kit. Please don't make Dave lock this thread. I'm as interested in the details of the kit as any of you, but patience is the key.

Thanks for listening.

Larry

WOW!!! Thanks Frank! This is GREAT news!

Boy am I glad I didn't shell out the serious coin that this kit is getting a few years ago....and still is when you can find one...and not even a complete one!

I'll be getting this kit for sure!!!:thumbsup:

MMM

There is no Aurora tool for this.


Thank you for the swift reply!

I suspect this is going to be just as big as the upcoming Jupiter 2, you know. Lots of pent up demand.

I wish endless success!

This is strictly a repop, only change may be the windows. We'll announce at some point if we put the original style, and corrected versions in. Other than that, nothing will change so no speculation needed for this one.

This is really neat!

Now how do we make the rocket motors work?

Well Frank, you just keep hitting them out of the ballpark for me. I'll help make the kit viable by buying more than one!

If the tooling were exactly the same, it'd be an awesome kit, because it was one of Aurora's best (not like their sad, boxy Batmobile). The only extra I'd ask for is two additional clear windshield parts that are the right size. Other tweaks can be handled by aftermarket.

A heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

Lee

P.S. - I did not make the suggestion above to start a flood of "what ifs." I'm more than happy if there's no change at all!

I'm going to assume there won't be any tweaking, that's what the aftermarket is for anyway :)

Aftermarket? Hmm. I'm sure I could figure out a ton of items to create for this kit! A grail dream come true!

It's not like I don't have a ton of 2001 reference materials scattered throughout my home and computers built up during the years and years of research for the 1/12 Space Pod upgrades ;)

Well Frank, you just keep hitting them out of the ballpark for me. I'll help make the kit viable by buying more than one!

If the tooling were exactly the same, it'd be an awesome kit, because it was one of Aurora's best (not like their sad, boxy Batmobile). The only extra I'd ask for is two additional clear windshield parts that are the right size. Other tweaks can be handled by aftermarket.

A heartfelt THANK YOU!!!

Lee

P.S. - I did not make the suggestion above to start a flood of "what ifs." I'm more than happy if there's no change at all!

Thanks! This would be the only change, if any, the correct windshields. We'll see how it goes, but I'd like to put in both sets.

Now they tell me!! I just broke down this year and bought an incomplete, assembled moonbus for too much $$ off eBay.

But, I know I will be buying one of these babies.

Yes, adding the correct windshield glass would be a welcome fix.

Way to go on this one!!

I opened the email from Steve Iverson a few minutes ago. I just picked myself up off the floor! OMG, OMG, OH MY GOD!!! I will finally have me an Aurora Moonbus!

Frank. THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU!!!! And that is for everything you have done and are doing for this hobby.



Max Bryant

I remember the day I walked into an Ayr-Way store and saw that incredible Moon Bus box on the shelf. It was an outrageous $2.50!! Back then, that was a lot! But it was a deluxe kit that showed much more than the usual Aurora effort.

I never understood how they missed getting the windows right. I can chalk up some of the other small, missed bits as kit engineering compromises. They are easily remedied and should create a healthy aftermarket--which is good!

The one on my shelf today is a kit I built in high school back in the very early 1970's. It will be a real treat to open a box and have a fresh kit to build and revise. I've kept my old one as it was, so it's a time capsule of my skills at that time.

Woo-hoo!

Lee

Thump!!!!! Yes!!!!!!

Aftermarket? Hmm. I'm sure I could figure out a ton of items to create for this kit! A grail dream come true!

It's not like I don't have a ton of 2001 reference materials scattered throughout my home and computers built up during the years and years of research for the 1/12 Space Pod upgrades ;)

*cough cough* :nod nod: :)

in other words, yes, was thinking of you. :)

I don't know if I'm that worried about 'accurizing' the kit, myself. All that's going thru my head at the moment (besides KEWL!) is what kinds of variations, modifications can I do? Like, maybe, what if that filming model had been hanging around when Space:1999 had been made, might it have been repainted, some new detailing planted on and used for something at Moonbase Alpha?

but I'm going afield now and I don't want to be the one that closes the thread. :)

:thumbsup::thumbsup:WOW, Dave...just...WOW!!!!!:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Mcdee:wave:

I missed this model when Aurora originally released it, and wanted one SO BAD, so now the wait will soon be over.

THANK YOU,FRANK!!

I doubt whether Frank or Dave would object to our buying MORE kits to customize! One of my early customization efforts was to chop the Moon Bus behind the cargo area to shorten it, then I added the wheels and suspension from an MPC Moon Scope kit.

The reissue opens many possibilities. I once considered making a lunar monorail with it.

Lee

Thanks for confirming Frank and congratulations for getting the license for that.
From what I have heard it was a certified nightmare of red tape regarding property rights for the film.

I'm sure sales are going to be HUGE!!! I can sit back and wait for a Moebius Moonbus now instead of watching evilBay for an original to rebuild.

Building ar epop with what is now known about the windows and shoulder-thusters can result in a great replica. I do hope it is true and the beginning of a series of 2001 kits.

.