Author Topic: 1/72 Horizon Models Mercury Capsule (Read 7416 times)

Bubbinski · « **on:** 12/09/2015 03:04 am »

After the big ISS was done I stumbled on a new model kit being offered, of the Mercury capsule. Best of all it was in 1/72 scale so it would fit well with the Gemini, Apollo, Shuttle, SS1 models I have. I got it from Amazon a few days back and it's now under construction. Fit is decent, but not thrilled with having to use photo etch in a couple of places. Still I think it will turn out well.

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #1 on:** 12/09/2015 04:40 am »

I have been reading about this kit. I look forward to seeing your work on it!

Bubbinski · « **Reply #2 on:** 12/10/2015 03:02 am »

Worked on it more today. It's going to be in orbit so won't have the red abort tower.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #3 on:** 12/11/2015 02:48 am »

"Friendship 7, Houston. You are GO for at least 7 orbits"

The bird's finished!

Bubbinski · « **Reply #4 on:** 12/11/2015 02:59 am »

And here's the early US human space program in constant scale.

This kit wasn't easy for me to build due to the small PE parts and small size (I have big fumbly fingers), and some of the instructions left a little to be desired, but it looks the part and built well. I used a Sharpie pen to put black points on the retrorockets in lieu of the decals. The decals could have probably used some kind of a decal set solution but I got them on eventually in the right places, with the help of a pin vise to guide them.

Bubbinski · « **Reply #5 on:** 12/12/2015 04:51 pm »

The Mercury and the rest of my 1/72 US crewed spacecraft collection

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #6 on:** 12/13/2015 02:38 am »

Nice, I have a set of 1/72nd scale ships too, but no Spaceship One. I have recently built a two more Revell 1/48th scale Mercury capsules, I now have 5 built, and the Gemini ships as well.

Where did you get Spaceship One?

Bubbinski · « **Reply #7 on:** 12/13/2015 03:10 am »

The Spaceship One was part of the Roden kit with the White Knight One which I did not build. You might be able to find one floating out somewhere. I put it on a spare Dragon stand left over from an Apollo kit.

the_other_Doug · « **Reply #8 on:** 12/13/2015 03:20 am »

I did a lot of the 1/72 space models of the '60s, as well -- I even had the 1/72 Saturn V. I also had the 1/48 Apollo series (including the one with the CSM, the LM and the SLA), the Mercury and the Gemini.

But, for just sheer joy and perfection (for its time), IMHO you just can't beat the old Revell 1/24 Gemini. I made a quite handsome version of that model when I was, oh, 12 years old or so. I was especially pleased at how the 3-inch-tall astronauts turned out.

All of this goes back to my early years -- I started building models at age 7 or so, and only stopped in my mid-twenties because, unfortunately, being a busy adult left me too little time to pursue the hobby. I think my last big build was a 1/72 B-17 bomber that I built back in 1979.

I always wished that someone would have made a 1/24 Apollo CSM and LM. (I would never ask for a 1/24 Saturn V, though -- nowhere I have ever lived would have high enough ceilings to display it fully stacked!)

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #9 on:** 12/13/2015 12:16 pm »

I have always wanted a 1/24 Mercury to go with my Gemini. With the update kits and decals available for the Gemini, it builds into a fantastic model!

A 1/24 Saturn V would have to weather resistant and stay outside!

the_other_Doug · « **Reply #10 on:** 12/13/2015 04:29 pm »

Just did a quick calculation, and some of the homes in which I've lived could have fit a 1/48 Saturn V, as it would be about 7.5 feet tall. A 1/24 version, as you would expect, would be about 15 feet tall, and would definitely need to reside outdoors and be weatherproof! (I've seen high-gable homes in which such a model might fit indoors, but have never lived in one.)

But imagine the detail you could work into a 1/24 Saturn V! Of course, then you would need to build a 1/24 LC39, complete with crawler. That wouldn't just require an outdoor display, it would require a bulldozer and a concrete pour!

Bubbinski · « **Reply #11 on:** 12/13/2015 06:07 pm »

A 1/24 Saturn V would be awesome to behold...and utterly impossible for me to do! However I've seen a 1/32nd scale Saturn V on its launch pad at the NASM in Washington (on the National Mall).

Speaking of 1/72nd, Horizon Models is coming out with a 1/72nd Mercury-Atlas next month, that might be on my to do list.

the_other_Doug · « **Reply #12 on:** 12/13/2015 06:39 pm »

Quote from: Bubbinski on 12/13/2015 06:07 pm

A 1/24 Saturn V would be awesome to behold...and utterly impossible for me to do! However I've seen a 1/32nd scale Saturn V on its launch pad at the NASM in Washington (on the National Mall).

Speaking of 1/72nd, Horizon Models is coming out with a 1/72nd Mercury-Atlas next month, that might be on my to do list.

You'd need to get two of the Mercury-Atlas models, though -- one painted its native silver, the other painted mostly white to mimic the frost coating over the filled LOX tank.