Author Topic: The NASA model building thread (Read 1083608 times)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1240 on:** 04/24/2011 02:40 am »

I've now finished the last base coat of flat white on Challenger. Now she's ready for painting in her color scheme, along with Columbia and Enterprise. I will next get to the later orbiters and primer them up, too, and work on detailing the kit provided main engines, which I'm slowly putting vent lines on, one by one.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1241 on:** 04/24/2011 05:14 pm »

Here is a useful reference for anyone planning to build a model of the R-7 rocket's Soyuz launch pad. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4720242194_138987e70c_o.jpg more at this person's gallery http://www.flickr.com/photos/martintrolle/4720184806/in/photostream/

Some guy is building a model of the Soyuz launch complex at http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/pasa-paper-aeronautical-space-administration/12649-soyuz-launch-pad.html A paper model, yes, but still helpful for a plastic model.

1/72 scale.

rkoenn · « **Reply #1242 on:** 04/25/2011 01:46 pm »

I managed to get a fair amount of work done on my LM and Saturn this past Easter weekend. All the resin enhancement parts were installed on the LM ascent stage and an initial rough coat of the greenish aluminum paint was applied to see how that looks. I need to grit my teeth though and get all the legs foiled up next.

I have the resin parts and internal painting done on the Saturn SII stage so glued that together. It uses the resin forward tank and the resin thrust structure for much better accuracy then the kit parts. I should be ready to paint them as a single assembly to get the paint pattens lined up very soon. I plan to use Kyrlon colors as they work great on a model like this.

Here are some progress pics:

mike robel · « **Reply #1243 on:** 04/25/2011 02:04 pm »

Amazingly enough, the "silver" areas on the LM are actually gray.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1244 on:** 04/25/2011 11:25 pm »

Any tips on making new OMS engines? I noticed in the RSM models upgrade kit, the engine nozzles for the OMS aren't more cone shaped like seen in this photo http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-3021-m.jpg , but more bell shaped like the monogram kit's engines.

Discoveryov103 · « **Reply #1245 on:** 05/07/2011 06:00 pm »

Quote from: MarkD on 04/25/2011 11:25 pm

Any tips on making new OMS engines? I noticed in the RSM models upgrade kit, the engine nozzles for the OMS aren't more cone shaped like seen in this photo http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-3021-m.jpg , but more bell shaped like the monogram kit's engines.

I found that if you have any extra Revell 1/144 scale main engines laying around, all you have to do is sand the "ribs" out of it making it completely smooth. And of course sand the mounting end of the engine flush. That should come somewhat close to what you are wanting for a result. I will post a pic later this evening to show you how it looks.

Hope this helps.

Andy

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1246 on:** 05/08/2011 12:24 pm »

Please do post the pics.

Discoveryov103 · « **Reply #1247 on:** 05/08/2011 02:56 pm »

Here you go Mark. I compared them to the Real Space Models OMS engines, and the Revell 1/144 space shuttle main engines sanded down are more of a cone shape as you were looking for. Here's a pic of what it would look like on the Monogram aft fuselage.

Downix · « **Reply #1248 on:** 05/08/2011 02:58 pm »

You know, in my searching for paper models I've never found a decent SSME paper model.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1249 on:** 05/08/2011 03:43 pm »

Cool photo and yeah it look more to the drawing plans and photos of the real thing.

Discoveryov103 · « **Reply #1250 on:** 05/08/2011 07:43 pm »

How do you make the gold foil for the LEM appear wrinkly (I am building a 1/48 scale LEM)? I just bought a space blanket sold at the KSC visitors center hoping this material would work. I just don't know how to make the wrinkled appearance.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

saturnapollo · « **Reply #1251 on:** 05/08/2011 07:51 pm »

For any vehicle covered with foil - and I've done a few (couple of LM's, Solar Max, Soyuz), I usually cover the model in filler and sculpt the wrinkles etc. into that before attaching the foil, making sure it follows the contours.

Keith

Dyna-Soar · « **Reply #1252 on:** 05/09/2011 01:10 am »

Quote from: Downix on 05/08/2011 02:58 pm

You know, in my searching for paper models I've never found a decent SSME paper model.

Try in the space paper models Yahoo! group, there's a guy working on a really nice 1:48 scale orbiter.

Dyna-Soar · « **Reply #1253 on:** 05/09/2011 02:17 am »

VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve

rkoenn · « **Reply #1254 on:** 05/09/2011 11:16 am »

Here are some pictures of my just completed Airfix Saturn 5. I also used Martin Goldsack's enhancement set and Space Modeling Systems decals. Finally I contracted with my next door neighbor to cut the wood for the display stand I designed. Finally my wife came up with the name plate from an idea I mentioned to her. Next I will enter this coming weekend in the great modeling contest at Wonderfest. Unfortunately since finishing this took most of the weekend I won't get the LM done for the contest this year.

discovery_fan · « **Reply #1255 on:** 05/09/2011 11:26 am »

Wow - that is an awesome Staurn V model!
Looks fantastic. The display stand is elegant and solid. Congratulations!

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1256 on:** 05/09/2011 12:42 pm »

Nice work rkoenn! Good luck at Wonderfest!

Also thanks to dynasoar for showing off the SS2/WK2.

I'm on hiatus on my shuttle 6 pack - I've got 3 shuttles ready for their paint jobs, 2 that are in the primer phase, 1 that has yet to receive primer. Tomorrow I'll go to my IPMS SLC "mini contest" and take along the 1/72 shuttle if I can figure out a way to transport it.

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1257 on:** 05/09/2011 12:46 pm »

Discoveryov103, the best one would be to use the gold foil wrappers of candy bars. Those look the most realistic.

rkoenn · « **Reply #1258 on:** 05/09/2011 02:06 pm »

Quote from: Discoveryov103 on 05/08/2011 07:43 pm

How do you make the gold foil for the LEM appear wrinkly (I am building a 1/48 scale LEM)? I just bought a space blanket sold at the KSC visitors center hoping this material would work. I just don't know how to make the wrinkled appearance.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Andy

I am doing an enhanced LM and using the Rolo candy foil. I attached it with CA glue but be careful doing that as it tends to remove the gold tint and makes it silver in spots. I also noted earlier I have a very good guide a UK did on building the LM using the New Ware enhancement set which really makes a huge difference in how accurate it is and how it looks. 103, drop me a note if you'd like a PDF of that guy's build. Here's a couple of shots of where I am with mine so far. Unfortunately I am not going to finish it in time for Wonderfest next weekend, the Saturn took up too much time.

K466 · « **Reply #1259 on:** 05/09/2011 07:42 pm »

Quote from: Dyna-Soar on 05/09/2011 02:17 am

VSS Enterprise and VMS Eve

Where did this beauty come from? I'd love to build one...