Atlantis 1/40 Tactical Missile Set, previewed by Scott Van Aken

The Dart was intended to replace the bazooka with a contract for prototypes signed in 1951. The first launch trials of the XSSM-A-23 prototype missiles took place in August 1954; over the next year, forty additional tests took place. These proved less than satisfactory; by 1957, the Dart was still not ready for service, and it was believed that Aerophysics Development had overextended itself with technical challenges involved in the missile's development. Accordingly, the program was extended, with some of the Army's requirements being relaxed; however, in September 1958 the program was determined to be too far behind schedule and too far over budget to be successful, and the contract for the Dart was cancelled. The Army adopted the SS.10, designated MGM-21, and the SS.11, designated AGM-22, in its stead. The program had cost $44 million in 1955 dollars.

The Little John was carried on the XM34 rocket launcher, it could carry either nuclear or conventional warheads. It was primarily intended for use in airborne assault operations and to complement the heavier, self-propelled MGR-1 Honest John rocket. Development of the rocket was started at Army's Rocket and Guided Missile Agency laboratory at Huntsville, Alabama, the Redstone Arsenal, in June 1955.

In June 1956, the first launch of the XM47 Little John occurred. This initial model was spin-stabilised by larger triangular fins and a longer launch rail. It was stabilised by the fins alone until it began to spin. The production XM51 version had smaller rectangular fins, too small to stabilise the rocket, and was stabilised from launch by a unique "spin-on-straight-rail" system.

The XM51 Little John was delivered to the field in November 1961 and remained in the regular Army's weapons inventory until August 1969.

THE KIT

During the 1950s, Revell was pretty much the king of US military model makers. They decided that 1/40 would be the 'go to' scale and several other manufacturers in the US fell into line. This is one of those kits that was initially released in 1958 and since it was never reissued, was highly desired by collectors. When Atlantis bought much of the assets of Revell USA that Revell Germany did not want, it got these ancient toolings.

Thankfully, Atlantis actually did some work to these old toolings. The result is some pretty clean parts with almost no flash or sink areas except for the very thick plastic parts such as figures. Also typical of these older kits there are some items that have moving parts so one has to be careful when building these sections.

The kit is molded in white (for the missiles) and OD (for the figures and launch items. The Dart portion provides four missiles, one launch stand and three fixed stands. There are also three figures along with a set of stereo binoculars on a tripod and a radio set with operator. The Little John provides a more complex launcher with a single missile along with three maintenance personnel.

Instructions are from the original kit with written construction steps along with generic color information for each piece. The box art can also be used for a reference. The well printed decal sheet provides all the markings needed for the four Dart and single Little John missile.

CONCLUSIONS

It is nice to see this kit reissued after so many decades. I'm sure that collectors are gritting their teeth to see the value of the originals drop so much, but there it is. These kits are not difficult to build as I know of at least one grubby fingered kid who managed to build these, but to build them well requires that they be treated as short run.

KIT #:	H-1812
PRICE:	~$20.00
DECALS:	One option per missile
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	1958 tooling. 2025 release