Robel's 1/72 Shapeway's MEM

[mike robel]

Progress is slow on this.

I finally figured out how/where to mount Thruster Quads.  Instead of 4, I used 3 because I didn't like to non-symmetry of the mounting.  First step is to mount some Plastruct trusses.  Then, some 1:72 thrusters will be placed on them.

Next shows where the hatch will go.  I really don't like it here, but there is no room for an airlock on the side.  I will put grab rails on the side, and a ladder.

I'm thinking about shortening the landing gear, but it seems risky.

Progress is sloe because I work on lots of projects at once.  (You should see the piles of tanks I'm working on) but the I finish a lot at once when the near completion.

[mike robel]

Descent Stage.  Primered it, then painted it silver to see if I wanted to do any additional work, which I didn't, then painted the sides and the heat shield Satin White.  Probably another coat tomorrow, then masking, and painting the inside Alcad Aluminum as well as the interiors of the landing gear bays.

Access covers and hatches will be represented by decals or scribing.  then will add the ladders.

I'm thinking since my scratch built one is on the Martian Surface, this one will be on the factory floor.

[mike robel]

Descent Module mostly painted.  Needs some detail paining on the RCS, rocket nozzle, and the hatch and ladder needs to be added.  The hab section and the access tube will be foiled in gold.


As I probably said above, I am thinking about displaying it on the factory floor or maybe as a simulation training exercise.

Onto the Ascent Module.

[mike robel]

A  little more progress.

The Ascent module crew cabin is now painted chrome and I have foiled the habitat section and the lower access tube.


Next up, masking the crew cabin and painting the rest of the ascent module, torn between white and dull aluminum.

[mike robel]

Speeding up a little bit.  Painted most of the ascent stage white, after Viking, with black bottoms on the ascent stage fuel tanks for thermal control.  The descent tanks are all white since they will be empty.  The connection tube between the CM and the Hab will be foiled gold.

Next ladder rungs and the RCS quads.

[Ronpur50]

She looks awesome! 

[mike robel]

Grab Bars and ladder fabricated.

Its going to be modeled like it is in a simulation, so a tiled floor, astronauts training, and a technician or two...

[Dalhousie]

Where did you get the astronauts from?

[mike robel]

Airfix 1/72 Lunar Module and the Astronaut set.  The non space suited guy is from a 1/72 Shuttle.

[Dalhousie]

That's what I thought!  The positions look familiar

[Ronpur50]

That looks awesome! ( I guess I am saying that a lot here!)

[mike robel]

RCS QUADS!