Author Topic: The NASA model building thread (Read 1083614 times)

GaryE · « **Reply #1380 on:** 08/26/2011 12:44 am »

I can't wait to see it!

Paper Kosmonaut · « **Reply #1381 on:** 08/26/2011 08:12 am »

Well, here it is, my 1/400th ISS. I started working on it more than half a year ago and it is not entirely finished yet. However, you'll get a good idea of how it looks. It's incredibly small and delicate but also amazingly sturdy. i used several different paper model kit elements I reduced to 1/400. It has to fit on my shelves. And I kind of like to build small.
First I wanted to show the more or less regular departing sequence of the shuttle, looping round the station before actually leaving but that didn't happen as such on Endeavour's last flight.
Then I realised the moment of Nespoli's photo op was a much more historical event so I rearranged the parts to that configuration. Here's some pictures as promised.

Paper Kosmonaut · « **Reply #1382 on:** 08/26/2011 08:16 am »

Oh, and before I forget, I already showed some pictures here of it being assembled but here's my finished rendition of Juno on her way to Jupiter.
(Like my ISS, it's all in paper, of course)

GaryE · « **Reply #1383 on:** 08/26/2011 10:03 am »

That is some excellent work! Having never built a paper model, it boggles my mind how someone can work with something that small and have it come out looking so beautiful.

It must take a very steady hand, and a lot of patience!

Paper Kosmonaut · « **Reply #1384 on:** 08/26/2011 10:58 am »

Quote from: GaryE on 08/26/2011 10:03 am

That is some excellent work! Having never built a paper model, it boggles my mind how someone can work with something that small and have it come out looking so beautiful.

It must take a very steady hand, and a lot of patience!

Thanks for the kind words, Gary. And about paper models: You should just try it. There's so much more to get and build in paper than in styrene. A good place to start is Jon Leslie's Lower Hudson paper Model Gift Shop, http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models.html which has models for beginners to very experienced. And there's a lot more than that.

the ISS indeed takes a lot of steady hand and patience. I only work at it in the morning hours, when my fine motor skills are at their best...

GaryE · « **Reply #1385 on:** 08/27/2011 09:03 pm »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 08/22/2011 03:07 am

I've been working on that 1/72 shuttle for about a month now and am just about ready to get the final white coat on then start getting the black tile and gray RCC areas painted.

The cockpit lid is taped on but will be loose so I can show off the cockpit when the bird is done. Then I'm wanting to surround it with other US (and world) 1/72 manned spacecraft that have already flown.

I just picked up the Revell 1/72 orbiter for my next project. Did you sand off all of the tiles? I hear the ones on the model are not accurate and the are too big. I was thinking of doing decal tiles for this one. What is your opinion?

Paper Kosmonaut · « **Reply #1386 on:** 08/27/2011 09:10 pm »

The decals are a bit hard to attach but surely look the part, albeit a bit too light in colour. But there's nothing a light transparent spray of airbrush can't do to make it look better.
Have you ever seen Phil Smith's take on the shuttle?
You can download it as a nice PDF report:
http://www.astrazoic.com/SpaceShuttleArticle.pdf
or look at the pics here:
http://www.astrazoic.com/Space-Shuttle-Discovery.html

GaryE · « **Reply #1387 on:** 08/27/2011 09:44 pm »

I found a set on Ebay, that are darker in color. <shrugs> I don't know.

I don't have an airbrush yet, so that option is open, but I've never used one.

Phil Smith's bird is absolutely amazing. I wish I had those skills! (and patience!)

I'm in no rush. The kit will sit in the box until I can get some information/tips from modelers with experience with this particular kit. I just want to know the pluses and minuses in working with this model. My 1/144 stack came out OK, but it doesn't have near the detail this model can display.

Thanks to you, I'm also looking into some paper models to tinker with too!

skyn3t · « **Reply #1388 on:** 08/28/2011 03:44 pm »

Hi all new menber here

Quote from: GaryE on 08/27/2011 09:44 pm

I'm in no rush. The kit will sit in the box until I can get some information/tips from modelers with experience with this particular kit. I just want to know the pluses and minuses in working with this model. My 1/144 stack came out OK, but it doesn't have near the detail this model can display.

The Revell 1/72 orbiter is not the best model I have built. Being so large the parts are prone to warping so there are areas that need filling and sanding and some of the tile detail is lost, although it can be scribed back on.

The painting instructions / decals are a bit odd. The instructions tell you to paint the tail fin black and then apply a white transfer to simulate the black edges on the fin. This does not work as the transfer dried to look grey. Some masking up here and subsequent coats of white airbrushed on did the job.

The time and effort to build and paint this really depends on how fussy you are and some people go to extreme lengths.

jimgagnon · « **Reply #1389 on:** 10/02/2011 03:01 am »

Apologies as this is not strictly spaceflight related, but probably is of interest to this audience. The Department of Transportation has some rules changes pending that could negatively affect the world of model rocketry and those of us who enjoy it. Currently, the engines used in model rocketry are labeled as Flammable Solids for purposes of shipping and labeling, but the DOT is considering changing the label to Explosives, which might affect costs and even availability of this critical rocket hobbyist component.

Here's the source article along with a DOT email address to send comments to. They provide a sample letter and ask that you send your comments by Oct 2nd:

http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2011/09/geek-dads-please-show-your-support-of-model-rocketry/

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1390 on:** 10/04/2011 04:10 pm »

A sketch I did of my future 1/72 scale modified Monogram orbiter into the Buran shuttle http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/274/9/7/shuttle_wings_by_onigojirakaiju-d4bhzok.jpg

I'm also building STS-51L in 1/72 scale http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/264/3/7/two_ets_by_onigojirakaiju-d4aix1m.jpg You can see the tank for that compared to the new ET I'm making for Discover/ STS-133.

Challenger's tank for 51L. http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/274/f/2/et_pal_ramp_by_onigojirakaiju-d4bhzif.jpg

zerm · « **Reply #1391 on:** 10/04/2011 06:13 pm »

I just updated the SLS kit so builders can either build the orange foam version or the "Saturn style" version (shown here). I think it came out pretty cool.

luke strawwalker · « **Reply #1392 on:** 10/08/2011 04:54 am »

I'm building a Saturn V and Saturn IB replacement (Saturn "1-F" using 260 inch first stage based on the Saturn V Liquid Booster Pods proposed in the 60's). The thread and lots of pics are here: http://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?t=25770

This will be a flying model rocket(s) when completed. Lots of build tips included...

Later! OL JR

Mark Dave · « **Reply #1393 on:** 10/14/2011 10:40 pm »

Guys Dragon Models is making a 1/72 scale Saturn V kit! Look http://www.dragon-models.com/catalog/wings/new/50388/50388p0.jpg

I plan to get one when this kit is released.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1394 on:** 10/15/2011 01:51 am »

Wonder when that 72nd scale kit will be released.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1395 on:** 10/24/2011 05:01 am »

Well today I finally got my last coat of white on the big 1/72 shuttle and I'm going to mask it over the next few weeks and get the underside painted black.

In the meantime I got a kit up in Seattle (during my visit to Boeing and the Museum of Flight) that I thought would make a neat desk model. It's the 1/400th scale (? - really I suspect it's smaller than that) Saturn V with launch tower from Aoshima. I finished it tonight. It'll replace my 1/200 shuttle stack at work. I didn't put the decals on because they're oversized.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1396 on:** 10/24/2011 05:20 am »

Here are a couple additional pics of the mini launch complex.

Gene DiGennaro · « **Reply #1397 on:** 10/24/2011 02:26 pm »

Looks great Bubbinksi! Here's a tip: the Saturn V's first stage diameter was 33ft. Measure the diameter of the Aoshima model and compare. Determine the actual scale of the Aoshima Saturn V. Then go to Jim Z's model rocket site and find the Estes 1/100th scale Saturn V page. Save the decal page and open it with photo editing software. ( GIMP is a free Photoshop-like program that I like) Scale the decal page to match your Aoshima Saturn. Print the decals onto decal paper and Presto! You've got good looking decals for already good looking Saturn!

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1398 on:** 10/24/2011 02:49 pm »

Thank you Gene....I'll try that. I do have some decal paper stashed somewhere.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #1399 on:** 10/27/2011 01:47 am »

Update: It worked - I put some markings on the Saturn. Now it's gracing my cubicle.