Author Topic: Ronpur's Space Models  (Read 70760 times)

Offline Ronpur50

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Ronpur's Space Models
« on: 04/05/2017 12:19 am »
I have a new project.  Horizon Models has released another Mercury era rocket, the Mercury Redstone.  The kit has the options of being built as MR-1 to MR-3, MR-BD or MR-4.  I picked MR-3, Freedom 7.  The kit is engineered so they can reuse parts for future releases.  And as I have learned, a Jupiter-C with Explorer 1 should be next since the photo-etched parts even have the antenna on it for the satellite.

The booster builds up really quick, and I compared it to the Dragon release from a few years ago.  Some scale calculations show that the Horizon kit is spot on.
« Last Edit: 05/01/2017 12:00 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #1 on: 04/05/2017 12:24 am »
It comes with a launch table with some photo-etched details. 

I test fitted the booster to the table while I was in the middle of sanding it.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #2 on: 04/05/2017 12:29 am »
The next day, I started painting and then the day after that, the decals.  The Freedom 7 was built from and earlier release last year, so I had a head start on that. The bottom photo compares the Horizon kit, left, to the Dragon kit on the right. At this point, I took a bit of a side trip that was inspired by Manfred and his launch pad.  I decided to scratch build umbilical arms for it. 
« Last Edit: 04/05/2017 12:37 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #3 on: 04/05/2017 12:36 am »
So, after searching for photos (thanks Ed!) and watching launch films, I constructed a rough arm for the booster, with a few details.  I will add more detail lines after I paint it dark blue.  I have also started a base with weathered concrete and other ground equipment.  And that is where I am at this point.  I have started the capsule umbilical arm, but forgot to take a picture before I started painting.  I hope to have more tomorrow!

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #4 on: 04/06/2017 12:01 am »
I am very happy with the umbilical arms.  I need to hit the hobby store tomorrow for some tiny plastic rod for the lines.  I am not sure about the "concrete" yet, but it is getting close to what I want.  I still need to add the ground tubes around the base.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #5 on: 04/08/2017 01:51 am »
I did a bit more work, adding 3 of the ground tubes and I started running the lines to the launch table. I have to wait until they dry and then connect them to the table.

The second photo is a closer view of the main umbilical connection.  There is a tiny false hatch on the top of the connection, it stay with the arm if I remove it but gives the illusion of the hatch cover being open.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #6 on: 04/08/2017 11:49 pm »
Finished!! I am done with my Horizon Models Mercury Redstone Freedom 7. If you have seen my build thread, you know I decided to add umbilical arms to the model on a display base. Those arms, and the cables on the launch table were scratch-built. I figure this is the only Mercury that will get a launch pad from me, no way could I build the Atlas tower in this scale!

Offline mike robel

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #7 on: 04/09/2017 02:20 am »
Nice job Ron.

Offline roma847

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #8 on: 04/10/2017 06:00 am »
Hi Ron,
cool idea, that looks amazing.
How long is the rocket?

***************
Regards from Germany

Manfred

Under construction:
1:144 Launch Pad 39A with Challenger STS-6

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #9 on: 04/10/2017 01:49 pm »
Hi Ron,
cool idea, that looks amazing.
How long is the rocket?



Thanks! It stands a little over a foot tall on the launch table.

Offline Oersted

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Re: Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Redstone
« Reply #10 on: 04/10/2017 09:47 pm »
And ready for lift-off!

Thanks for posting.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #11 on: 05/01/2017 12:05 am »
I decided to just use my recent Mercury Redstone thread and keep it for all of my future models.  Then I won't have to do a new thread for each.

So, the next up is another Apollo Saturn V model.  It is an Airfix 1/144 scale kit I modified with after market parts and decals.  It is for Apollo 17. 

Here is a series of rotated views of the launch vehicle.
« Last Edit: 05/01/2017 02:18 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #12 on: 05/01/2017 12:09 am »
The F-1 engines of the S-IC stage are covered in batting insulation.  I modified the kit parts with some details and plumbers tape.  I modified the thrust structure to look more like the real thing.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #13 on: 05/01/2017 12:15 am »
The thrust structure for the S-II stage was replaced with a resin part. Here we see the interstage still attached and then the S-II stage alone and LES has been jettisoned.

Last photo is the Command Module that I cast from another, more accurate model by Realspace.  The Service Module is from the kit, since I needed to cut into it for the science platform.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #14 on: 05/01/2017 12:21 am »
And now, the S-IVB would continue on into orbit.  And then fire it's single J-2 engine for the moon.  Of course, the CSM, America, would turn around and dock to the LM, Challenger and extract it.  Then, on to the moon!

The thrust structure on the S-IVB is another after market resin part.  The science platform on America is scratchbuilt as are the details on the J-class LM, Challenger. 
« Last Edit: 05/01/2017 12:30 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #15 on: 05/01/2017 12:26 am »
And my 1/6 scale Gene Cernan action figure admires the 1/144 scale spacecraft.  That makes it 1/24 scale to him.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #16 on: 05/01/2017 12:42 am »
A few weeks ago, I had posted a photo of my Saturn models on my Facebook, and someone commented I needed to build a Project Icarus Saturn V.  I had thought of doing that years ago, so I began to research the MIT student project from 1967.  I even bought a copy of the report and read it.  I was quite amazed at the detail in it.

Basically, the students were given a task to save the world from an asteroid, named Icarus.  Icarus was due to fly close to Earth in June 1968 but the project assumed it was going to hit Earth.  The students came up with a plan to use NASA's Apollo program to launch interceptors with nuclear warheads to divert or destroy the asteroid. 

I found one diagram of the Saturn V online and used the drawings in the book as a guide to build the model.  I used old, half built parts of a Monogram Saturn V as a base, and the incorrect decals that came in the kit.  Here it is next to Apollo 17.


Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #17 on: 05/01/2017 12:49 am »
I did a few drawings of my own to help me figure out how to build the Interceptor, which was a modified Apollo CSM.  The warhead was a 100 Megaton bomb.  Something that did not exist.  Apparently, the Soviets had a large bomb, and it was hoped they could enlarge it, making this an international effort to save the world.

There would be 9 launches of the Saturn V, 3 test and 6 intercepts.  Also, they would need Pad C built in less than a year.  Of course, money would be no object, and 24/7 shifts for construction would be authorized. 

Five Atlas-Agenas would launch modified Ranger spacecraft to monitor the detonations at Icarus.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #18 on: 05/01/2017 12:55 am »
My model is of the final Interceptor launch.  Before Project Icarus postponed the NASA moon landings, it would have launched Apollo 14.  Note the red quadrant markings, they are from the Monogram kit.  I used the USA decals on the S-IVB stage, because, well, why not?

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: Ronpur's Space Models
« Reply #19 on: 05/01/2017 01:02 am »
I modified a couple service modules and a LES cover to build the Apollo Interceptor.  The CM cover removes to reveal the 100 Megaton warhead.

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