NASA Crawler Transporter

The NASA Crawler-Transporter has been an essential part of the US space program for more than 50 years. The launch facility at the Kennedy Space Center is reliant upon these massive vehicles as they are used to move the launch platforms and rockets from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to the launch pad.

This model of the NASA Crawler-Transporter has been built as a scale of 1:110 which is the same scale as the now retired Apollo Saturn V set. I think it is nice to be able to collect and compare models of the same scale and there is a following for the 1:110 scale for space projects.

This is a resubmission of the project. The original underwent several changes and rebuilds. Significantly, it was fitted with a removable top-deck and a detailed interior machinery space and control room were added. The model is strong enough to carry complete custom made rocket and launch pad builds. My own Crawler carries a 1:110 scale Space Shuttle on a Mobile Launch Platform.

The model is made up from 2330 LEGO pieces (300 of which are track links) and includes trophy figure 'operators' to give it scale. This model uses currently available pieces but would benefit from parts moulded in different colours. It has been fully test built.

Thank you for looking at this project, if you like it and would like to see it made into a set then please support and, as its not easy getting to the milestones, please ask your friends to support it too. 

About the full size Crawler-Transporter

The Crawler-Transporter was designed and built by Marion Power Shovel Company using components designed and built by Rockwell International at a cost of 14 million US dollars each. 

The Kennedy Space Center has been using the same two crawlers since their initial delivery in 1965.

The Crawler-Transporter is controlled from two cabs located at either end of the vehicle, and travels along the 3.5 mile crawlerway at a maximum speed of 1 mph loaded, or 2 mph unloaded. The average trip time from the VAB to Launch Complex 39 is approximately five hours. The crawlerway includes slopes and the top of the vehicle is kept level by a hydraulic system which adjusts the height of the platform above the tracked drive units.

The crawlers have been upgraded to support the new, heavier, SLS program so the Crawler-Transporter will remain an essential part of the US space program for years to come.