MOC Space Shuttle Review: 2,800 Parts, 60 cm Build
Bottom line first: this space shuttle MOC on brickplan is one of the best-value space-themed builds you can get right now. Around 2,800 parts, roughly 12 hours of building, and a finished model 60 cm long that dominates a living room shelf. If you build space subjects, this one earns a strong recommendation.
Appearance and Design
The model is scaled at 1:110, and the fuselage lines stay clean from nose to tail. The cargo bay doors open and close, and the remote manipulator arm and aft nozzles are all reproduced rather than simplified away. The white primary color is broken up by black thermal-tile pieces, which gives the surface real visual depth. The cockpit uses trans-clear parts, so the glazing reads well and photographs beautifully.
Structural Stability
The fuselage uses an internal keel wrapped in a double-layer shell, and the wing-to-fuselage joints have extra reinforcement, so handling the model does not make it fall apart. The landing gear retracts and extends, and it holds the weight steadily. The one thing to watch: the parts around the tail nozzles sit a little loose. Follow the reinforcement steps marked in the brickplan instructions and the finished assembly is very solid.
Value for Money
Part of the instructions can be previewed free on brickplan, and the full version costs less than a cup of coffee. Priced out by part count, the total build comes in about 40% cheaper than the official space shuttle set, and you can change the color scheme to whatever you like. The included bill of materials (BOM) can be ordered from directly, which saves you the usual trial-and-error of hunting individual parts.
Building Experience
The instructions divide steps sensibly, adding only 3–5 parts per step, so even a first-time MOC builder can keep pace. The whole model takes about 12 hours, comfortably split across two evenings, and along the way you pick up useful MOC techniques such as layered fuselage construction and linked cargo door mechanisms.
FAQ
Q: How do I download the space shuttle MOC instructions? A: Search for the shuttle on the brickplan site to find the listing. After registering you can preview several pages for free; paying unlocks the complete PDF instructions and parts list, viewable online and downloadable.
Q: Can I build this shuttle from parts I already have? A: Yes, but check your stock against the brickplan parts list first. If you are missing more than 30% of the parts, buying a prepared part pack works out cheaper. Most common colors are easy to source individually from online marketplaces.
Q: What does it cost to build? A: At roughly 2,800 parts, domestic parts run about CNY 300–500, and with the instructions included the total stays under CNY 550. That is more than half the price of an official set at the same size — excellent value at this level of detail.
Q: How is this different from the official shuttle set? A: The MOC is larger in scale and more faithful in detail, with a working cargo bay and manipulator arm. The official set is easier to build but costs more and simplifies the details. If you want a display piece for a collection, the MOC is the better pick; if your budget is tight, look at the official set instead.