The Catacombs Catacombs Model Gallery
Eagle Recognition

This is a quick recognition guide to the different Eagle models, based on their leg pods. Each were detailed with different kit parts and plasticard rectangles. The first and third 44" Eagle, and first 22" Eagle, have the most similar patterns. Note that these leg pods were frequently removed for cleaning and restoration during the series, and put back together in different positions. While the passenger modules could be swapped, the leg pods from one model did not fit the other models.

Other details are also different: the second 44" Eagle nose cone has a flattened top, and the girderwork and proportions of the third 44" Eagle are distinctive (it is made from steel, not brass).

First 44" Eagle.

First 44" Eagle.
  • Side sloping panel: circular panel with 4 smaller circles within (from the Airfix Saturn V kit, Apollo Service Module adapter section).
  • Top and front sloping panel: Two small cones (Revell Gemini kit retro rockets). The second Eagle only has the cone on top (on the inside, not the outside position). The third Eagle and second 22" Eagle have simple hemispheres in the same locations.

Second 44" Eagle.

  • Side sloping panel: square ribbed block (from the Revell Gemini kit)
  • Front side top panel: three vertical rectangles (all the others have a horizontal rectangle).
  • Front side centre panel: a large rectangle with central panel (all the others have vertical rectangles).
  • Front/side corner: a convex shape (others have small ring)
  • Bottom corner triangles have a central hole (a light fitting for landing lights, never used in the series)
  • The foot pads are slightly narrower than the first model.

Third 44" Eagle.

  • Side sloping panel: two concentric rings (from a tank wheel).
  • Top and front sloping panel: Two simple hemispheres (not cones like the first Eagle). The top panel one is located on the inside side (like the second Eagle).
  • The feet have different numbers of rectangular panels. There are 14 on each landing foot for Eagle 3; Eagles 1 and 2 have 20.(On Eagle 1 these are vinyl Sasco Year Planner stickers, also used on Moonbase Alpha; on Eagle 2 they are styrene rectangles).

First 44" Eagle.

  • The spine is held to the cages with an "L" shaped brace.

Third 44" Eagle.

  • The spine is held to the cages with an "U" shaped brace.

First 22" Eagle.

  • Side sloping panel: a simple rectangle.

Second 22" Eagle.

  • Side sloping panel: a ring with a central stud

Contents copyright Martin Willey