The Space Needle was built for the Seattle World’s Fair of 1962. It is 605’ high and has a rotating restaurant at the 500’ level. More info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Needle)
The Gilbert version shown here (next to the real one) is from the 10094 (12 1/2) set of 1962.
The top rotates on a TC/TB ball bearing assembly, driven from a motor on the bottom. A series of 6 axles connected with 4 P15 couplings and 2 CJ gears acting as a 5th coupling runs up the center of the tower. The axles are 10”, 12”, 12”, 7 1/2”, 7 1/2” and 10” respectively. Maintenance of this 59” axle is a problem. Once the models is assembled, it is very difficult to get to the P15 couplings to tighten any screws that may loosen.
There being no connection included between the motor mount and the base, it was difficult to move the model. To remedy this, I strips were added to join them together. Three washers were needed on each connection point to make up for the extra height of the motor mount.