April 12 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the first human flight into outer space.

Yuri Gagarin, a 27-year-old Soviet cosmonaut, made history when his Vostok 1 spacecraft successfully launched and spent 1 hour and 48 minutes in Earth orbit on April 12, 1961. He became famous worldwide as the U.S.S.R. notched another notable first before the U.S. in the Space Race. Yuri died in 1968 in a fighter jet crash at age 34.

 

One of the most successful space designs ever, the initial flight of the Vostok which carried the first human being into space was launched on 12th April 1961. Vostok 1, carrying cosmonaut Yury A. Gagarin, made a single orbit of Earth before reentry.

 

The Vostok series included six launchings over a two-year period. The final two missions in June 1963 by Vostok 5, followed two days later by Vostok 6, carrying Valentina V. Tereshkova, the first woman in space, were notable in that the two spacecraft travelled at times only 3 miles (4.8 km) apart, setting the stage for future space dockings between orbiting vehicles.

 

1/144 Scale plastic kit requires assembly & painting.

 

Length 245mm.