The NASA model building thread

[usn_skwerl]

That's awesome! nice work!!

[spaceshuttle]

usn_skwerl - 23/11/2007  12:28 AM

That's awesome! nice work!!

Thank you!

[Mark Dave]

Here is a good link to reference showing the large scale model of the shuttle stack. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/multimedia/images/2006/3percent_shuttle.html

[Maverick]

Some very impressive models in here!

[MB123]

who does nasa use to make models of spacecraft?

[kraisee]

Engineering models like those used in the wind tunnel are custom built within NASA.

Display models are built by different companies bidding for individual contracts.

Ross.

[JJ..]

ive just added an "MPLM" to my iss model and am now starting with "columbus"

my question .. how simular is columbus to the mplm ?
could i use the same template for both,just changing the exterior details ?

thanks,

JJ..

[C5C6]

beautiful work there spaceshuttle!!!!! loved the 'rollback' picture (from VAB -Vehicle Assembly Bedroom-) hahah.....

[PaulyFirmbiz]

posting pics of my IMR space station with docked endevour. this is my first model combo ever and forgive my horrible paint job.. if anyone has ideas on how to paint properly id really apprciate it.. the kit also came without decals so real space decals were used but im lost on the stabilizer and the wing tips.. i built the station to its future config..not the as it should be.. i jus dont feel rite building a station that will never fly.. enjoy the end tips of the aft portion of the orbiter..

[paulhbell07]

I've just recieved the Revell 1/144 scale ISS plastic kit, an early birthday present. Is there a photo etch kit to go with it and has anyone got a link where it is available. I have other model builds going on at the moment, so I am in no rush to start the build. But I would like to also build a 1/144 shuttle and a CEV when it's out.

[JJ..]

paul,
couple of tips,when building the truss make shure the alu square sections will pass through the inside
i painted mine first and then almost ruined it pushing the alu through,
oh yeh ... and don't get the 2 russian fgb's mixed up (iirc) the docking ports are differant  

theres so much to do with the revel 1/44 kit to make it look close to reality as possible .. and not enough time in the day  :bleh:  :laugh:  :laugh:

JJ..

[hjpospie]

Hi JJ..
The main external difference between MPLM and Columbus as relevant for a display model are the two external Payload plattforms.
If you need more details contact me

[PaulyFirmbiz]

i jus orderd the realspace resin fill in modules for the IMR kit i posted pics of up here.. im going to paint and decal those using decals from Space model systems when they come out and real space has imformed me that they will be releasing the rest of teh HABitable modules in the near future so all the modules will be in full detail.. warning tho.. they dont fit on the imr pieces and require a little bit of surgury to fix on to the IMR kit.. otherwise the IMR kit is a beautiful station model.. i also have a 1/72 Discovery build in progress and im building the entire TPS out of sheets of stryene and 3m surgical tape.. the results will be worth the time spent scratch building.. will post progress as it happens..

ThankS!

[Mark Dave]

I apologise. I have a habit of trying to get every detail on the model I can, which then ruins the fun of building it. I have Aspergers, a form of autism, and people who do their interests go to the point of really getting into what it is they like, from simple things to something as complex as rocket science. Einstein had it, hence his views of physics.

As to the ET paint on my model, well I tried to find the right color, and my digital camera made the photo come out like that.

[PaulyFirmbiz]

no shame in wanting to do the best you can with somthing.. but the whole point of modeling is to enjoy what your building.. learning about it and stepping back when your done and going damn... i built that..

instead of nitpicking peoples hard work... commend them.. its not easy to do this thing we do.. it takes time... love.. passion.. and when you got it.. you love to share it..

end of story

[BenB5150]

PaulyFirmbiz - 5/3/2008  6:56 AM

posting pics of my IMR space station with docked endevour. this is my first model combo ever and forgive my horrible paint job.. if anyone has ideas on how to paint properly id really apprciate it.. the kit also came without decals so real space decals were used but im lost on the stabilizer and the wing tips.. i built the station to its future config..not the as it should be.. i jus dont feel rite building a station that will never fly.. enjoy

My 2 cents on painting is to paint some of the pieces before you assemble them like the OMS pods and engine bells.  When I build my models I assemble the main pieces like the orbiter or ET and then fill the seems and sand it down to make it smooth and seemless.  Then I prime the pieces and carefully sand as necessary with a fine grit trying to avoid sanding off the small details.  Then I would paint the pieces of the orbiter white/off white sand if necessary and then tape off the areas that will remain white/off white and paint the black areas with spray cans or an airbrush.  The main thing is to take your time and check your references.  Hope that helps.

Ben

[RGSmith]

Hi

Here are some of the card/paper models I've built.

[animaux]

A model of an an alternate approach to resupplying the ISS:



Apologies, I missed the 1st of April.

[Jimbo07]

I've just browsed through this thread, there's some great work here!

I've been looking for schematics for a 3D model of the ISS.  Are there any better drawings than NASA's Scale Model Drawing Package?

It has some obvious problems:
- Nodes are identical (not so in real life: i.e. Unity and Harmony)
- Modules from obsolete versions still included
- No exterior details like ERA, MMODs, etc.
- UDM not the same as proposed MLM (docking ports)
- No texture/colour key

[ckiki lwai]

@RGSmith: Nice work! Especially the small parts of the models, I always find them difficult to make from paper

@animaux: :laugh: