Cutting Edge's Lift Off Series 1/144 R-7 Rocket Kits |  | Meteor Productions recently introduced their Cutting Edge Lift-Off Series to focus on space-related subjects. While most of their releases have been detail parts for existing kits, they have also released full kits of spacecraft, including the Pegasus XL reviewed several months ago. In this latest increment, Cutting Edge has released three kits based upon the Soviet R-7 launch vehicle. The SS-6 Sapwood ICBM kit is featured in a build-up article elsewhere in this issue. The remaining two, the Sputnik I and Luna 1/2/3 vehicles are shown below:
 
Sputnik I & R-7 Booster CELO44004 MSRP $45.99 USD This first kit represents the R-7 booster with the Sputnik satellite payload which became the first man-made object launched into space. The set is molded in grey resin and features some beautifully cast parts. The kit consists of the main booster, four strap-on boosters, the five underside discs w/the rocket engine bell details, three sets of booster straps, and four sets of vernier motors that are attached after the rest of the kit is assembled. Please read the SS-6 build-up review on some thoughts for achieving a solid assembly of these heavy resin booster parts.
 
Luna 1/2/3 & R-7 Booster CELO44006 MSRP $49.99 USD This next kit represents the R-7 booster with the Luna satellite payload which was intended to conduct experiments on the moon. While most of the missions experienced launch failures, three that did leave Earth orbit, one missed lunar orbit but set a record for becoming the first man-made object to achieve escape velocity (leave orbit), the second successfully impacted the moon (setting another first), whilst the third successfully photographed the far side of the moon and returned (yet another first). The set is molded in grey resin and features some beautifully cast parts. The kit consists of the main booster, four strap-on boosters, the five underside discs w/the rocket engine bell details, three sets of booster straps, upper stage w/interstage mounts, and four sets of vernier motors that are attached after the rest of the kit is assembled. Please read the SS-6 build-up review on some thoughts for achieving a solid assembly of these heavy resin booster parts.
My sincere thanks to Meteor Productions for these review samples! | 
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