Space Shuttle Launch Pad 39A with Challenger STS-6 (1:144)

• #740 by Ronpur50 on 13 May, 2015 18:35
• The details may not even be seen when the entire model is finished.....
  
  But YOU know they are there.  It is like when I used to build NASCAR models, and I wired up the engine.  You could not even see it, unless you took it out of the display case and lifted the body off, but I knew it was there.
  
  It is worth it.  Because it is beautiful!
• #741 by roma847 on 13 May, 2015 23:01
• Thanks Tom, Dave and Ron for your nice compliments.
  
  I fully agree with you, one needs a lot of patience and perseverance and has to be a little bit crazy too.
  
  Especially Ron hit the nail on the head, one can be satisfied even if one knows that one has created these tiny details and the effort was worth it.
  Thanks guys and stay tuned.
  
  
• #742 by roma847 on 13 May, 2015 23:06
• Hi there,
  
  and because I love this crazy details so, I have dared and decided for this T-shaped pipe supports on the Firex-line
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  and therefore measured the geometry on the basis of the close-up image again in more detail.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  Then I've made a new T-beam by gluing an Evergreen Strip 0,5x0,5 mm on a handcarved Styrene Strip 0,2x0,7 mm, from which I carefully have tapped off 1 mm "long" stubs. That worked still relatively good, but the gluing of these midgets was then nothing for the faint hearted and succeded only with bated breath between two heartbeats.
  
  
  
  After that, the overhangs were still tapped off, and the branch line was completed, ie almost, because the Nozzles are missing still, but also will come.
  
  
  
  And then I wanted to have a look on this line on the MLP and am more than satisfied with the result.
  
  
  
  
  
  But now I have to get some fresh air for now. 
  
  
• #743 by roma847 on 15 May, 2015 10:12
• Hi there,
  
  now I will continue.
  
  At the branch line in front of the LH2 TSM still missing the spray nozzles. For that I have used the thinnest Evergreen rods Ø 0.5 mm and sharpened the front slightly. And on this occasion I have mounted the clamping ring of 0.4 mm lead wire at the end.
  
  Then I carefully pre-drilled the holes, then plugged in the nozzle stubs and glued with MEK.
  
  
  
  
  
  And so does the environment around the SSME shaft around slowly take form.
  
  
  
  
  
  So far so good, and so as not to come only out of practice, I have done the supports of the other branch pipe in front of the LOX TSM in the same way, as usual.
  
  
  
  
  
  Now missing only the four nozzles,
  
  
  
  
  
  and then it goes on to the rear main line with the local supports and nozzles.
  
  Somehow these small stuff is pretty stressful, but that all does not help, what has to be, has to be.
  
  
• #744 by roma847 on 15 May, 2015 21:28
• Hello guys,
  
  and thus continue on the back of the Firex main pipe where there are  similarly structured supports and a lot of nozzles. The difference can be seen well on the next two panorama pictures, although you have to look closely.
  
  
  Source: nastech.net
  
  The base plate is screwed just at the end on the Blast Shield, the front is  significantly narrower and the rear overhang is minimal.
  
  
  Source: nastech.net
  
  Consequently, my supports look somewhat different from the front and consist of three parts. For the substructure I've composed a Styrene Strip 0,25x1,0 mm (length) and a strip 0,25x0,75 mm (short) and glued with MEK.
  
  
  
  Now we continue on the template where I first marked on the line the numbered positions of the nozzles. The ten red marks indicate the location of the supports, the green belong to the clamping rings. 
  
  
  
  Then I lined up the lower parts and fixed with tape and glued the vertically standing buttocks (0,38x0,75 mm).
  
  
  
  
  
  This angles, I then placed under the line to the red points and glued with MEK, initially in the right half,
  
  
  
  
  
  and after re-clamping in the left half.
  
  
  
  
  
  And now also the overhangs can be tapped off,
  
  
  
  first the parts in front of the line,
  
  
  
  and then behind them.
  
  
  
  And so have already done the ten supports. 
  
  
  
  And as you can see, it all fits together well and still does not look bad.
  
  
  
  
  
  And tomorrow it will become funny, then the tension rings and the remaining nozzles are waiting for me.
  
  
• #745 by Ronpur50 on 16 May, 2015 02:38
• This thread should just be retitled
  "Genius at Work"!!!
• #746 by roma847 on 16 May, 2015 05:24
• Thanks Ron for your great compliment, I am overwhelmed and try to continue to do my best.
  
  
• #747 by roma847 on 19 May, 2015 22:13
• Hi there,
  
  first I have to add the nozzles on the branch line in front of the LOX TSM, with which the two branch lines are now complete.
  
  
  
  Then, as already announced, now to the clamping rings I've bent of 0,3 mm lead wire. On the back of the Firex main line there are six of them, two of them sit in the middle, next to the two single supports,
  
  
  
  and the other four between the support pairs.
  
  
  
  Then I pre-drilled the holes for the nozzles (Ø 0,5 mm). Since one can easily slip during drilling on the thin line (1,2 mm diameter) but that line was fixed again in a proven manner.
  
  
  
  And then I started with the nozzles which have been seen more often.
  
  
  Source: nasatech.net
  
  These are first of all the 12 about 3 mm long stubs on the back of the line, which are aligned obliquely forward towards the orbiter, and the three longer angled branches respectively right and left at the end behind the bows, and in the middle.
  And even on these thin nozzle pipes there are clamping rings.
  
  
  
  And the two angled nozzles in the last picture are sitting at this point here, where the space probably should be very narrow.
  
  
  Source: nasatech.net
  
  And as you can see, behind this nozzle there is also a small support with a holding ring and a further clamping ring, and these things were then also still done.
  
  Since there are also such clamping rings in front of the TSMs, these were also done.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  And after that I tried on this angled nozzles,
  
  
  
  and glued together with the three nozzle pipes with MEK.
  
  
  
  And now to the nozzle stubs,
  
  
  
  whereby the insertion of these tiny parts with the tweezers into the holes was extremely stressful, 
  
  
  
  which has not always worked right away.
  
  But finally all 25 nozzles were then installed, and the sight of this bizarre structure will be quite impressive, I think.
  
  
  
  
  
  And for today as a crowning finale the picture with two TSMs which compensates for all effort.
  
  
  
  That's it for today.
  
  
• #748 by shuttlemodeler on 20 May, 2015 13:22
• looking so good Manfred
• #749 by roma847 on 20 May, 2015 13:52
• Thanks Tom for your nice compliment,
  
  this Firex line with its tiny supports and nozzles was a crazy stuff, but the effort was worth it and I'm very happy with the result so far.
  
  Is there in your MLP any progress to see?
  
  
• #750 by roma847 on 21 May, 2015 12:34
• Hi there,
  
  the question of the space for the SSWS line above the angled nozzles but has left me no rest, so I had to check out right now of its dimensions.
  
  Here you can see this place. For the thick ring line (24''), coming from the left, I will use a rod with Ø 4,0 mm. The tubular transition then has Ø 2,5 mm and tapers in front of the TSM to Ø 1,8 mm, where are sitting further eight nozzles.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  And here I have tried with such a profile Ø 1,8 mm if that still will fit through the gap under the ladder and behind the angled nozzle,
  
  
  
  and it fits actually what now makes me feel relieved and confident.
  
  
• #751 by shuttlemodeler on 21 May, 2015 13:27
• no progress on mine.   i have had to many other projects happening.   hope to get back to it soon.
• #752 by roma847 on 27 May, 2015 13:44
• Hi together,
  
  so, let's go to at last thicker SSWS pipes and the associated supports.
  
  For this I can initially resort to my erstwhile pull-ups before the conversion of the SRB holes when I had started already with the SSWS. Who wants to track once more precisely, can please scroll back to pp. 9.
  
  Unfortunately, I can forget my former pipes (1:160) as they are a little too narrow and too short for the 1:144  holes. 
  
  
  
  In the following general layout drawing the position of the pipe supports of the 24'' line (Ø 4,0 mm) is marked, and there are respectively 18 supports around each SRB hole.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  At the green marked points 14 supports are located with closing clamp bands to replace these line segments as needed or to service, as can be seen in the next picture.
  
  The remaining 4 supports on the red marked points having no such clamp bands. When evaluating the photographic material I have discovered some supports (1, 3, 8, 12, 14) and supplemented, which are missing in the drawing.
  
  
  Source: NASA (Streetview)
  
  Furthermore, it should be noted that all supports are standing on the MLP deck, while no. 10, 11 and 12 are on the Blast Shield. Accordingly, these supports have a shorter foot and also slightly different structure.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  As has been shown in a previous post (Reply #750), the 24'' pipe (Ø 4,0 mm) behind the support 1 tapers to 14'' (Ø 2,5 mm) which is why the local support has a special structure too.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  All remaining supports have otherwise the same structure as it is clearly seen here.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  Such support I had at that time already been scratched, I actually had quite liked,
  
  
  
  but from today's perspective the dimensions (L=5.0 mm, W=3.2 mm), and in particular its clear height (4.0 mm) seem to be a bit too large.
  
  And with that problems in determining the scaled dimensions inevitably reveal, which unfortunately is often difficult due to perspective distortion of reference photos.
  
  In David Maier's Paper kit these supports are unfortunately only hinted, whereat the clear heights of 2.5 mm respectively 1.5 mm appears to be too low.
  
  
  
  Consequently, I made again a lot of measurements and estimates based on different images and perspectives and now I tend to a clearance of 3.5 mm on the deck, respectively 2.0 mm on the SRB Blast Shields, that are 1.5mm high with me.
  
  This arrangement I have now simulated with my old pipe in a test, for this I have used provisional support dummies of corresponding height. And in order to see how and to what height the line arrives at the inner corner of the TSM, I have  provisionally glued the two tapers at the front end.
  
  
  
  
  
  As this support arrangement actually fits quite well and I also like the look, I will now try to scratch build two matching support patterns.
  
  
• #753 by roma847 on 01 Jun, 2015 10:43
• Hello together,
  
  on the problems arising from the perspective distortions of the images when determining the dimensions of the items needed for the supports I had already pointed out.
  
  As an illustration, I have this image of the thick 24'' pipe whose diameter (4 mm) usually was the reference value for the conversion to the model scale.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  BTW, the estimation of the clear height especially had given me a lot headache, but that is important, especially since it is identical to the height of the support. 
  
  As you can see here, the clear height should then be roughly equivalent to the pipe diameter, or about 4 mm. Because the evaluation of other photos from different perspectives with better resolution but gave predominantly smaller values by 3 mm, I'd at the end spoiled for choice and had to decide.
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  And as already mentioned, I have now committed myself to 3.5 mm respectively 2.0 mm.
  
  And so now, but the actual work.
  
  For the most frequently occurring support (Type 1) next to the thick 24'' ring line I've been thinking about the following structure, which consists of five elements on which I've fiddled for a while. Therefore, at first I was interested to see whether this structure would be realizeable at all. 
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  As a basic element (1) I will this time use an Evergreen channel (2,5x1,1 mm), and for the two crescent-shaped supports (2) and the base plate (3) Styrene (0,25 mm). The foot consists of two parts, the upper part (5) is a jewelry pearl (Ø 1,3x1,2 mm) and the lower part (4) a Styrene disk (Ø 1,5 mm).
  
  While the elements of the lower part (1, 3, 4, 5) should guarantee a uniform height, it will in particular depend on how to achieve the small crescent supports possibly with precise curves and always with the same height, so that all 30 supports at the end are also the same height. And these sickles I'll punch with my Punch & Die Set, the maximum diameter accidentally is 4 mm.
  
  
  
  Although on the reference photos everything looks relatively large in the measurement and scaling, at the end there are but rather small parts. And from the punched sickle remains at the required height and width also not much left.
  
  The uniform spacing of these crescents results from the fact that they are glued on both sides with MEK to a Styrene Strip (0,25x1,5 mm), which is then glued to the Evergreen Channel what I have previously tried it out with two test strips.
  
  And so here are the necessary parts. To assemble the foot parts I've been thinking about, to thread them on a pin through a centering bore and then to glue in order to ensure a uniform alignment. 
  
  
  
  
  
  After alignment and fixation the items of the upper part gluing was made again with MEK, which has really proven for such mini-contacts.
  
  
  
  The gluing of the foot parts, however, is a little more difficult, since the glass bead must be carefully glued with CA, but this can remain unfortunately also stick to the needle.
  
  
  
  
  
  This has also so far worked, so I was initially glad in view of the feasibility of construction. 
  
  
  
  After detailed contemplation of my respectable result but I have decided to enlarge the disks on the base plate to 1.7 mm in diameter (left), what should better fit into the picture.
  
  
  
  But my joy did not last long unfortunately, because in the next handles the support disintegrated again in two parts.
  
  
  
  So I had to think about another solution instead of the CA gluing, which has been obvious actually. For why should I not stay with the MEK gluing and use a Styrene rod Ø 0,5 mm as a centering aid, which could remain in the support? Why did I come not immediately to this solution ...
  
  And so one of the Nozzles has offered itself that was still close.
  
  
  
  No sooner said than done, this little rod I first glued into the upper part, then strung the lower part and glued,
  
  
  
  then only separated the rest under the base plate, and the case was settled.
  
  
  
  And this support is now hopefully more stable and can withstand a little more.  
  
  
• #754 by Davp99 on 02 Jun, 2015 16:04
• You guys deserve your own TLC or Discovery Channel...Even the History Channel...Any producers here ? Sounds like a Money maker....
• #755 by roma847 on 04 Jun, 2015 22:43
• Thanks Dave for your compliment.
  
  Hi guys,
  
  before I give in order the small series of support Type 1, I have yet to try the other support Type 2. It is similar in construction, but has instead of Evergreen channel, only a disk on which the crescent-shaped supports sit, and is thus lower overall (2 mm).
  
  The lower part is only 1 mm high and is made of the same base plate (3,0x3,0x0,25 mm) and the cover plate (2,5x3,5x0,25 mm), between which a disc (Ø 1,7x0,5 mm) is sitting as a short foot.
  
  
  
  And on the cover plate sits the identical support part (photo, left edge) as the Type 1, again with crescents glued on both sides of a Styrene-Strip (0,25x1,5 mm), as here seen in the test arrangement. 
  
  
  
  
  
  For the final gluing of the parts with MEK again a Styrene rod Ø 0.5 mm was used as a centering and central axis.
  
  And here are the two support types, the right of the larger Type 1, and left the little brother Type 2.
  
  
  
  And so the small series can start now. While I still need only 5 supports Type 2, Type 1, however, still missing 29 pieces.
  
  But do not worry, with patience and MEK should be manageable even still.
  
  
• #756 by roma847 on 05 Jun, 2015 21:47
• Hello friends,
  
  today only a short flying visit. 
  
  After the first two supports of each type were done, I was curious about how  that with the clear height of the thick pipe on the deck (Type 1) and the SRB-Blast Shields (Type 2) would look like. And as you can see, with 3.5 mm respectively 2.0 mm that comes out quite well.
  
  
  
  
  
  And also the thickening of the pipe at the transition to the 36'' pipe (6.0 mm), which comes from the Flame Trench, has sufficient air above the Blast Shield and does not overlie. 
  
  
  Source: NASA
  
  And so nothing gets in the way of the small-series start. That sounds fairly harmless, but will be guaranteed stressful, especially since for the 29 supports of Type 1 after all, about 200 items will be installed. 
  This is so, as I said, again a real test of patience, but also I hope to survive, especially since it's not the first.
  
  
• #757 by Davp99 on 06 Jun, 2015 18:24
• Type 2
• #758 by roma847 on 13 Jun, 2015 15:21
• Hello everybody,
  
  well, the garden asks incidentally so its toll on those hot days. But I still tried to keep going and finally the small series of Pipe Supports Type 2 to start, which I so need only 5 pieces.
  
  First to the preparation of the required items, as there would be the base plates (3x3 mm), feet (Ø 1,7x0,5 mm), the cover plates (2,5x3,5x0,25 mm) for the small sickles on which the pipes lie, and even sickles (0.25 mm). For this I've used my Punch&Die-Tool with 4 mm diameter as used already for the prototype.
  
  In order to obtain possible a uniform height of 1 mm at the lowest point of the curve, I have used a corresponding spacers in the tool. And then it went on with punching, where you have to watch that one holds the punch vertically, since a small amount of play is present and the base plate is made of aluminum, which is not the last word.
  
  
  
  After that, I marked out in the strip 3 mm width of the sickles, which was quite a torture for the eyes, because this possible should be centered.   
  
  
  
  Then I have individually cut  the sickles, but this is not quite succeeded, especially since there were a certain scattering of widths. Aside are the discs (Ø 1,7 mm) for the short legs and the base and upper plates.
  To make things worse, I have the sickles but not stored in pairs, so it was all messed up, what you can see here!
  
  
  
  Although I have tried to sort the couples still halfway through laborious remeasuring, these couples were still relatively unequal, which would have meant complicated reworking. That's why I've punched again a 2nd row and made it somewhat more accurately,
  
  
  
  where I have tried starting from the middle to uniformly cut the couples on the ruler to 3 mm in length, as it were "hand-picked".
  
  
  
  And thus the construction of the following supports was also more reproducible,
  
  
  
  
  
  and thus also more evenly.
  
  
  
  And so it goes on, three type-2 support still missing,
  
  
  
  but not for long.
  
  
• #759 by Davp99 on 15 Jun, 2015 16:26
• It's the Effort that you put into even the smallest details, that sets apart from other builders, I am Always Amazed at your work Manfred.