Author Topic: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A  (Read 6783 times)

Offline Ronpur50

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1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« on: 08/21/2014 03:21 am »
I decided to build my extra Tamiya Space Shuttle as the Challenger with the Spacelab D-1 mission payload from STS-61A.  Launched October 30, 1985 and returning November 6, 1985, it was the final mission of Challenger before 51-L. 

The Tamiya model is fantastic and the new version has great decals to cover all markings used on all of the shuttles.  I also purchased a set of decals for the tiles from Warbird decals.  The tile decals are an odd set, they look good but really do not represent any exact orbiter layout.  With the white upper tiles, they most closely resemble Columbia and Challenger, but even then, they lack decals for the split rudder and the payload bay doors.  I have ordered a second set to use the white tile for these areas and use the black tiles for my already built Atlantis. 

The Spacelab payload from the kit was modified to make it more accurate.  I also had to build the MAVEX antennas and the Materials Experiment Assembly box on the truss that was included for the STS-135 mission.  The GLOMR canister was scratch built. 

I still need to print the patches for Spacelab and the D-1 mission, but I am out of ink!!!

I hope you enjoy my tribute to Challenger and the last of her 9 fantastic and amazing missions.
« Last Edit: 08/21/2014 03:22 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #1 on: 08/21/2014 03:26 am »
The resources on this forum were invaluable to me in providing photos of Challenger and her payload for this mission.  I still have a bit of work to do, such as more tile decals and weathering of those same tiles.  Plus a few more cargo bay details. 

Offline shuttlemodeler

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #2 on: 08/21/2014 05:22 am »
Wow Looking good
"It is enough if one tries everyday to comprehend a little of this mystery"
(A. Einstein)

Offline RichO

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #3 on: 08/22/2014 07:12 pm »
Ron, give us a photo with a scale in it. The details look really cool, good job!
OMG, I finally discovered what's wrong with my brain: On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left!

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #4 on: 08/23/2014 12:59 am »
OK, I will, when I get home Sunday night.  Thanks!

Offline Bubbinski

Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #5 on: 08/23/2014 01:31 pm »
Good work Ronpur50.  I have three of these Tamiya kits waiting to be built.  I just need some inspiration.
I'll even excitedly look forward to "flags and footprints" and suborbital missions. Just fly...somewhere.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #6 on: 08/23/2014 01:56 pm »
Thanks. I will take pictures of all 3 of mine when I get home, Enterprise, Atlantis and Challenger.  I like to spend time doing surgical tape on these for the AFRSI and these tile decals are a great way to do the HRSI.  I actually scribed tile onto my Atlantis....that wasn't fun! 

Finishing STS-61A will have special meaning now, with Steven Nagel passing away.  He was always a special astronaut hero to me, since he attended the University of Illinois, my Alma Mater.

Offline roma847

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #7 on: 08/25/2014 02:52 pm »
Hi Ron,

outstanding Challenger orbiter, well done, especially the payload details looking great.

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

Manfred

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

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #8 on: 08/28/2014 04:25 am »
I finally got around to taking a few more pictures after my extra set of decals came in.  I added the tiles to the payload bay door and the rudder.  Then I added weathering to the fuselage area as seen in photos of Challenger late in her career.  I will get back into the payload bay and add details in there next.

And since there was a request for scale...I added a picture with a tape measure and a 1/144th scale Revell shuttle model of Challenger.  That particular Revell Challenger model is the same one I have had since 1984!  It was repainted sometime in the late 1990s, after Realspace first issued their decals. 
« Last Edit: 08/28/2014 04:33 am by Ronpur50 »

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #9 on: 08/29/2014 02:14 pm »
Here is a quick picture I took last night for fun with a red light.  Challenger during entry interface!  I am off to the hobby shop for parts for payload bay cameras!

Offline RichO

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #10 on: 08/29/2014 04:39 pm »
NICE!!
OMG, I finally discovered what's wrong with my brain: On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left!

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #11 on: 08/29/2014 10:45 pm »
It is time to do some work in the payload bay.  I made up some simple cameras and attached them to the bulkheads and RMS.  I added the wiring trunks to the forward bulkhead and an EVA handle. 

The Spacelab Module is covered in surgical tape and painted flat white to represent the thermal blankets.  I took a sharpie and made a series of tiny dots as it appears on the real deal.  I added the Spacelab logos and the NASA worm an US flag.  I then put it all back inside.

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #12 on: 08/29/2014 10:49 pm »
I have a couple more pictures, one to try to show the view from the aft windows of the flight deck!  And a couple to show the comparison with my Atlantis and Enterprise models. 

Offline roma847

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #13 on: 08/30/2014 06:27 am »
Hello Ron,
really nice shots.
As may be seen, you have built the Enterprise with opened speed brake.

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

Manfred

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

Offline Ronpur50

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Re: 1/100th Shuttle Challenger STS-61A
« Reply #14 on: 08/30/2014 10:32 am »
Thanks, and actually, this kit has a movable split rudder, so you can open or close the speed brake!

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