Author Topic: The NASA model building thread (Read 1083588 times)

Bubbinski · « **Reply #960 on:** 05/02/2010 07:21 pm »

Excellent models Ben. One of these days I need to do a 1/144 "shuttle six pack". If I do them on their landing gear I'll use the Airfix kits as they have better landing gear bays. If I do in space it'll be Revell - better payload bays.

mike robel · « **Reply #961 on:** 05/05/2010 01:18 am »

I use sloth brown or rust for tanks.

mike robel · « **Reply #962 on:** 05/05/2010 01:19 am »

Sorry. Both by testors.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #963 on:** 05/05/2010 02:25 am »

I used to use sloth brown.....but then I ran out. I'm not sure it's available anymore.

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #964 on:** 05/05/2010 03:57 am »

Quote from: BenB5150 on 05/01/2010 04:07 am

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.

Thanks! I have experience with Model Railroading and it's paint selection, so I'll likely resort to using that. I'm gonna have a look Thursday at getting some airbrush propellant and some paint.

I had a little fit problem with the windows, the space they are to be glued to is too big, but I plan on putting a little putty there and sanding down. It's a very minor thing I'm not worried about.

The ET and SRB shells are together, also waiting for paint before I put the details on. I'm anxious to get it all together!

I also picked up Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years at the library(along with some other books on NASA and KSC), and I must say some of the images are amazing. It's a great reference!

Chandonn · « **Reply #965 on:** 05/09/2010 12:19 am »

Here's my Atomic City Mercury model with a home-made stand: 1 large / 1 small acrylic plate holder + 1 acrylic sign holder and a little super glue. Clear enough that it doesn't dtract from some good views of the model. Total cost: around $15.

EDIT: I'm thinking about printing a mostly-black sheet with a Mercury plate and some info at the front of the sign holder base.

Chandonn · « **Reply #966 on:** 05/09/2010 12:20 am »

One more shot of the Mercury. Next, I'll try and make a similar one for my Revell Gemini. I find the Gemini's stand is too flimsy to be practical and it leads to all kinds of disasters.

Decided to print a test for the plate. Last pic below is the final product:

Bubbinski · « **Reply #967 on:** 05/09/2010 12:28 am »

Looks very good Chandonn. I have that kit in the stash waiting but I'm on a shuttle kick.

Chandonn · « **Reply #968 on:** 05/09/2010 02:37 am »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 05/09/2010 12:28 am

Looks very good Chandonn. I have that kit in the stash waiting but I'm on a shuttle kick.

I added one more above with the printed information plate I mentioned earlier (and a little Wikipedia for basic Height/volume/weight/etc.)

Incidentally, the astronaut figure on the right is part of a series they were selling a few years ago covering all the space suits through the Shuttle (with an MMU variant as well!).

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #969 on:** 05/09/2010 02:48 am »

Well my conventional model building capabilities are lacking, yet in legos I am somewhat better. Today Lego is releasing a new Shuttle model to commemorate its retirement:

http://www.brothers-brick.com/2010/05/07/10213-shuttle-adventure-blasts-off-in-june-news/

The exterior definitely looks great, but will have to work on the payload bay and the satellite, I am thinking of a shorter Arm on the starboard sill and an OBSS on the Port, and turning the satellite into an ODS/Airlock, as well as using other parts to make a MPLM.

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #970 on:** 05/09/2010 04:17 pm »

I see myself buying that Lego set. I remember the old technic shuttle, and the Discovery model they had a few years ago around the Mars rover missions. This new set looks like a big improvement!

nethegauner · « **Reply #971 on:** 05/10/2010 07:29 am »

Quote from: MikeyJames56 on 05/09/2010 04:17 pm

I see myself buying that Lego set.

You can count me in, too. That looks amazing. Wanna have, wanna have ...

I built a LEGO X-33 from scrap a few years ago, but that "official" LEGO shuttle looks sure seems to be a great product.

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #972 on:** 05/10/2010 04:32 pm »

Well, I finished the orbiter. I learned a lot, and you can clearly tell this is an amateur effort. I won't be using testors paint next time. I used the spray and it just didn't come out well, next time I'll use my airbrush (why I didn't the first time, don't ask). My masking effort was almost a waste of time, considering the paint bled through. I can see myself stripping the paint on the wings and re-doing it. The rest I'm pretty happy with.

All in all, building this certainly was an endeavour, so the name fits. A learning experience. It just needs a coat of dullcoat and I'll be done with it.

And flat grey testors paint NEVER dries. Ugh...

Lowflight · « **Reply #973 on:** 05/10/2010 05:45 pm »

Looks better than my Columbia that I did years ago and still have in my office....

I still need to build the Revell kit of the STS stack and launch structure that I have in my attic....

http://www.fototime.com/9078BEDB58AA585/orig.jpg

BenB5150 · « **Reply #974 on:** 05/10/2010 05:47 pm »

Looks good! Don't know why you had trouble with the paint. I used testors primer, flat white and black spray cans and had good results. I air brushed the nose & wing leading edge. Anyhow, I think you did a great job.

MikeyJames56 · « **Reply #975 on:** 05/10/2010 11:41 pm »

Thank you for the kind words. I think the very high humidity we've been having might have had an effect on the overall painting process. Good thing there are 5 other orbiters I can model

.

All-in-all, I'm happy with it. I'm sure it's one of those things where you get better the more you do it, so I'm not disenchanted. It makes me look forward to my next paycheck so I can order another.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #976 on:** 05/11/2010 04:30 am »

Very good effort MikeyJames. It's a whole lot better than my first efforts and you got the basics down good. Next time you build when you mask you might try spraying over the mask with the base color before spraying the new color on. I've found that doing that and using an airbrush with lower pressures really helps with the bleed through. Also Tamiya tape is a really good tape to use for that.

Other things I've done to my shuttles is to use different shades of gray for some RCC panels as well as to drill out the star trackers with a pin vise or hobby knife then partially fill them in with Testors clear parts cement... There are more things that can be done as well but it does take a lot of work. And the fit on these kits is well....clearly not the best.

Practice does make (near) perfect....good luck and keep building!

nethegauner · « **Reply #977 on:** 05/11/2010 10:24 am »

The Endeavour by MikeyJames56 and the Mercury from Chandonn are both beautiful models indeed. Being from the shuttle generation, I tend to get more excited about the orbiter of course -- but nonetheless, I also admire models based on something from the past.

Gee, the shuttle will be something from the past as well rather soon. I better finish my 1:72 Discovery before it can no longer be called "a current model" ...

Lowflight · « **Reply #978 on:** 05/11/2010 08:49 pm »

What I really want to build is a model of the Enterprise on her in the maiden ALT flight config. I would have to custom build a test pitot and and engine cover. Since the ship wasn't really detailed and did not have tiles etc....the actual orbiter should be pretty easy. Call me crazy (crazy)...but I have always thought it was the coolest looking of all without the black tiles around the forward windows etc....

nethegauner · « **Reply #979 on:** 05/17/2010 07:36 am »

Here's a current view of my very own OPF ...

I think I am getting closer and closer to the finish line. Most of the major sub-assemblies near completion -- a major stepp will be the joining of the port section of the fuselage with the starboard half. The OMS pods and main engine section are complete as well.

I hope to be able to present the final product quite soon. Whatever the result may be: I am reeeealy enjoying building this one. I build a model only once a few years, so this is really exciting.

Although I am still dissapointed that Revell did not upgrade the payload compliment, I do recommend building the 1:72 orbiter.