Tales from Area 51*: 1/72 Count Rivet

Gallery Article by Alvis 3.1

Silly Week 2009

 

In the early 1960s, the USAF was looking at several options for manned reconaissance spacecraft. The more commonly known ones are the MOL/Gemini and the Dynasoar, but one that was actually used several times was the RIVET (Reusable Intelligence Vehicle, Exoatmospheric Travel), developed under the codenamed program "Count Rivet".

Using a single, large cast alloy of superb thermodynaic properties, the RIVET was boosted aloft on Titan II boosters out of the Rhode Island Test Range. It was an unique orbital vehicle, in that it's heat shield was the front end! After completing the required number of orbits, and having achieved the orbital photographs and radar scans needed, the pilot would assume his rear-facing landing couch and re-enter the atmosphere. As best as can be determined, there were only 2 ever built, and they were flown repeatedly from 1967 to 1971. 

This RIVET was built from a craft store plastic sphere, and a rolled up tube of styrene. The pilot is from the Monogram 1/72 scale X-15. 

Oh, and because the "real" aircraft was built without rivets, so it this model. Go ahead, count em...bet you can't get above 1!

Click on images below to see larger images

*Area 51 is a Top Secret US Air Force facility that handles all the Secret, Top Secret, Ultra Top Secret and Real Super Ultra Uber Top Secret paperwork. It does not in any way actually test or contain aircraft of terrestrial or extra terrestrial origin. That stuff is at Area 42.

Alvis 3.1

Photos and text © by Alvis 3.1