Author Topic: The NASA model building thread (Read 1083637 times)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #940 on:** 04/25/2010 08:43 pm »

Ok, here's the nearly finished shuttle. The OBSS came off again so I've decided I'm not going to glue it back on until I have the STS-125 payload boxes installed. In the meantime, here she is, complete with a Ku band antenna:

nethegauner · « **Reply #941 on:** 04/26/2010 08:09 am »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 04/25/2010 08:43 pm

Ok, here's the nearly finished shuttle.

Wow -- looking very fine, I'd say. I imagine doing it in 1:200 makes it quite a difficult job. I've built shuttles in the 1:72, 1:144, and 1:288 (no PLB) scales from Revell. So the 1:200 scale should fit somewhere between the latter two. Must have been quite a job to create the PLB features in a not so big model.

Regarding my 1:72 shuttle: well, it's bginning to look a lot like an orbiter. Half of it, at least. I finished "processing" the starboard half of the orbiter's body -- complete with paint and decals. I like to paint and apply early, because the orbiter parts are easier to handle and to position for optimum access. Once the wings and port fuselage are in place, it is quite a big object to deal with.

For the first time ever, I have decided to dry-brush the model. I did so in a Bob-Ross-like moment, you know: "Now, let's get crazy -- and here's Your bravery test. Experience the joy of model building by ruining Your paint job ..."

Or something like that ...

But I am quite happy with it. The problem is that the kit's molds still represent the Columbia and/or Challenger surface features -- and even though I painted it according to the updated scheme, dry-brushing enhances the outdated tiling.

One trick I used to create the illusion of new thermal insulation on the orbiter's top was to cover some areas with a sort of masking tape before dry-brushing them. What was underneath it was spared from the applied "weathering" effects and now looks "replaced". You can see that in the shot of the starboard PLB door in the attachment.

Also attached are a shot of some details on the forward section and an "inside look" into the crew cabin. Once the port half of the orbiter's boddy is glued in place, one can only look into the flight deck by removing its roof.

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #942 on:** 04/26/2010 11:54 am »

Quote from: nethegauner on 04/26/2010 08:09 am

Quote from: Bubbinski on 04/25/2010 08:43 pm
Ok, here's the nearly finished shuttle.

Wow -- looking very fine, I'd say. I imagine doing it in 1:200 makes it quite a difficult job. I've built shuttles in the 1:72, 1:144, and 1:288 (no PLB) scales from Revell. So the 1:200 scale should fit somewhere between the latter two. Must have been quite a job to create the PLB features in a not so big model.

Regarding my 1:72 shuttle: well, it's bginning to look a lot like an orbiter. Half of it, at least. I finished "processing" the starboard half of the orbiter's body -- complete with paint and decals. I like to paint and apply early, because the orbiter parts are easier to handle and to position for optimum access. Once the wings and port fuselage are in place, it is quite a big object to deal with.

For the first time ever, I have decided to dry-brush the model. I did so in a Bob-Ross-like moment, you know: "Now, let's get crazy -- and here's Your bravery test. Experience the joy of model building by ruining Your paint job ..."

Or something like that ...

But I am quite happy with it. The problem is that the kit's molds still represent the Columbia and/or Challenger surface features -- and even though I painted it according to the updated scheme, dry-brushing enhances the outdated tiling.

One trick I used to create the illusion of new thermal insulation on the orbiter's top was to cover some areas with a sort of masking tape before dry-brushing them. What was underneath it was spared from the applied "weathering" effects and now looks "replaced". You can see that in the shot of the starboard PLB door in the attachment.

Also attached are a shot of some details on the forward section and an "inside look" into the crew cabin. Once the port half of the orbiter's boddy is glued in place, one can only look into the flight deck by removing its roof.

Wow, that looks great, the tile detail is magnificent!

nethegauner · « **Reply #943 on:** 04/26/2010 12:07 pm »

Quote from: MikeyJames56 on 04/26/2010 11:54 am

Wow, that looks great, the tile detail is magnificent!

That is because of the lighting level in the shots -- You don't see clearly all the things that I mess up ...

No, seriosly: thank You. Especially dry-brushing the black tile areas is great fun. You start by gently going over the model's surface with a "nothingness" of paint on the brush and more and more of those lines "magically" appear. The credit for that of course goes to the Revell guys who created those parts -- even though they seem a bit outdated.

However, that insulation masking thing is "Copyright by me" ...

Again:

Actually, that is quite a simple trick, I think. But it seems to work.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #944 on:** 04/27/2010 01:54 am »

Thanks again nethegauner. The shuttle w/STS-125 payload is finished now.

Actually, I find working in 1/200 scale easier for the most part than working with shuttles in the bigger scales, little flaws aren't as magnified. But the parts are also smaller and it was pretty difficult for me and my big fingers sometimes.

nethegauner · « **Reply #945 on:** 04/27/2010 07:57 am »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 04/27/2010 01:54 am

The shuttle w/STS-125 payload is finished now.

That cargo bay surely is fully loaded. Ready for a Hubble rendez-vous, right? I spotted the cameras on the RMS. Nice detailing!

Quote from: Bubbinski on 04/27/2010 01:54 am

Actually, I find working in 1/200 scale easier for the most part than working with shuttles in the bigger scales, little flaws aren't as magnified. But the parts are also smaller and it was pretty difficult for me and my big fingers sometimes.

That's an interesting comment -- but You are right: "magnified" is a fitting term here. I guess I will just hide flaws on my 1:72 orbiter by heavy dry-brushing -- now that I try to teach myself that technique ...

Actually, I am also considering to recreate cameras for my RMS -- now, where did I put that gold foil ...

Mark Dave · « **Reply #946 on:** 04/28/2010 12:31 am »

I hope the new Real Space Models Hubble will be made soon. That model would go great with my 1/72 Monogram shuttle fleet.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #947 on:** 04/28/2010 02:23 am »

Thanks again nethegauner. I'm working on getting the toy Hubble spruced up and will get it done hopefully in time for a local IPMS contest on May 1st.

nethegauner · « **Reply #948 on:** 04/29/2010 07:57 am »

I am currently doing some expermentation on how to recreate a realistic look for the orbiter on the unserside -- something like that:

http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-114/lores/iss011e11078.jpg

The aging of black tiles is briefly (but nicely) explained in the Jenkins book, "Return to flight". So there are light-gray/rust-colored areas with extremely weathered tiles, darker tones on those not flown quite so often and a small number of new ones in black.

So I took the body flap of my 1:72 orbiter to do some testing and painted it with Revell's color no. 9 -- which is anthrazite. I then applied white no. 8 by means of dry-brushing. On the finished pice, I painted selected tiles with silk black no. 302. To highlight the tile structure again, I repeated dry-brusshing, but with less color on the brush.

Attached please find the result. What do You think? Is that the way to go?

Before completely ruining my model, I would love to hear what people think ...

Bubbinski · « **Reply #949 on:** 04/29/2010 02:42 pm »

Like the "new tile" effect, good job nethegauner. I do notice a couple of scratches that may be flaws in the plastic molding? (nothing you did wrong). Those may want to be covered up, although I guess maybe some dings might look like that. It might be a good idea to experiment with white powder or airbrushing to give a more "uniform" look as there are large swaths of aged tiles on the underside and then drybrush on top of that for additional effect.

If I get that rereleased Revell kit I would maybe build Columbia or Challenger with it, use the Monogram kits I have for the later orbiters.

nethegauner · « **Reply #950 on:** 04/30/2010 08:40 am »

Thanks for Your helpful comments, Bubbinski.

Quote from: Bubbinski on 04/29/2010 02:42 pm

I do notice a couple of scratches that may be flaws in the plastic molding? (nothing you did wrong). Those may want to be covered up, although I guess maybe some dings might look like that.

Yeah, I noted those scratches too. But I agree: there are "dings" on the orbiters that might actually look like that, so I did not feel the need to take any corrective action -- if such effects stay within reason ...

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #951 on:** 04/30/2010 07:58 pm »

Look what came in the mail today!

I cannot wait to get started. I decided on Endeavour.

When you guys paint your orbiter, do you just use the white plastic or do you actually paint it with white paint?

I need to get some paints for my airbrush, anything suggestions for whites, blacks, and orange?

Bubbinski · « **Reply #952 on:** 05/01/2010 03:56 am »

Good luck MikeyJames!

When I paint my orbiters I always use white primer out of a spray can (Painter's Touch or Krylon) then sand imperfections/seams and spray with flat white. I also sometimes spray the bird with clear gloss/Future and then put decals and spray on w/flat base to seal them and make the decals more realistic.

Suggestions:

-Flat white for most of the bird, semi gloss white for the tops of the payload bay doors and wings
-Aircraft Interior Black for tiled areas
- Jet Exhaust/Gunmetal for SSME's
- F-15 Dark Gray or Medium Gray for RCC - recommend spraying lighter tones on some panels and then a light overspray with the base dark gray color you chose for the RCC.
- Reynolds Wrap/metal foil to cover the payload bay/bulkheads
- Gold color for RMS cameras and Ku band if you add them
- Rust primer (Krylon) for ET - sand the seams, then spray leather with an overlay of rust. (Or get Pactra Rust if you can lay your hands on it, not sure it's available anymore) For lighter orange colored tanks (ie after rollover) use Testors MM Ochre Yellow.
- Ochre orange or wood for the lighter stripes surrounding the intertank. The ET area is one where you'll need to experiment to see what looks right for you as it's really a "moving target" and I haven't fully come to grips yet despite much experience.
- Tamiya Insignia white for the nosecone/frustrum area of the SRB's - semi gloss white for the rest. Use Ochre Yellow or some other light orange for the SRB orange rings. (Again experiment)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #953 on:** 05/01/2010 03:57 am »

Hey everyone - my STS-125 display is done!

I spruced up the INAIR Hubble toy and glued it to the shuttle. Here she is.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #954 on:** 05/01/2010 03:59 am »

A couple more pics. This thing will be at IPMS SLC X tomorrow (model contest in downtown Salt Lake City).

BenB5150 · « **Reply #955 on:** 05/01/2010 04:07 am »

Quote from: MikeyJames56 on 04/30/2010 07:58 pm

Look what came in the mail today!

I cannot wait to get started. I decided on Endeavour.

When you guys paint your orbiter, do you just use the white plastic or do you actually paint it with white paint?

I need to get some paints for my airbrush, anything suggestions for whites, blacks, and orange?

I painted my orbiters. I assembled my model in stages. I assembled the main airframe with wings minus engines, windows, OMS pods, cargo bay doors then filled the seams with modeling puddy, sanded, primed then applied the flat white using Testors spray cans. After the white dries I mask for black paint applications. I aslo paint the cargo bay doors and OMS pods at the same time as the air frame just not assembled together. I found it easier to mask the pieces separate than assembled. After I have painted the black areas and the model is dry I remove the tape and install the windows, Cargobay doors and begin to apply the decals. I wait until the end to install the OMS pods and Main Engines to make it easier to apply decals without knocking off the engines. Here's a link to the early stages of assembly http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=1806.msg290391#msg290391

As for the tank I've learned from others here that there isn't a color made to match the tank color and the color varies as the tank sits in the sun so you have to mix paints to get close to the tank color. I found model railroad paints are close and easier to mix to get the right shade.
Here is a link to what I use to pain the tank. http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=1806.msg194661#msg194661

Good Luck. I look forward to seeing your model.

BenB5150 · « **Reply #956 on:** 05/01/2010 01:47 pm »

Forgot to mention to fit check the windows before moving on to painting. I found the Revell of Germany model had some fit problems that might require filling with puddy. I used the boosters from this kit with older orbiters from the 80's that didn't have this problem. They were cheap a few years ago on eBay but may have gone up since the program is ending.

nethegauner · « **Reply #957 on:** 05/01/2010 08:34 pm »

Bubbinski's Atlantis has berthed Hubble and MikeyJames56 got his 1:144 stack. What a way to start the weekend!

I am in London this weekend -- so there is no progress to report on my 1:72 Discovery. She will just have to wait until I am back on the continent ...

Actually, I am planning to visit the Science Museum tomorrow and take a look at the Apollo 10 capsule -- but that is for the history forum ...

BenB5150 · « **Reply #958 on:** 05/02/2010 04:43 pm »

Well I've finished most of the decals except the OMS pods and the umbilical plates but wanted to see what they looked like on a stack so I borrowed Columbia's stack and took some photos. Now I can finish the boosters and tanks for these three and start my STS-107 Columbia. After taking a break from model building I forgot how much fun it is to build shuttles!

Ben

BenB5150 · « **Reply #959 on:** 05/02/2010 04:44 pm »

a few more of my OV fleet.