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Space
Started by Astrazoic at 06-15-2009 5:52 PM. Topic has 102 replies.
  
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 06-15-2009, 5:52 PM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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06-16-2009, 12:36 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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More developments - all batteries are now in place. Some relays and inverters have also been added to the right side. Finally, I added a floor, which features heel and toe guards (the latter fashioned using spare B-52 bomb tips) and will eventually serve as the base for the periscope and instrument panel. http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury17.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury18.jpg Each of the knobs you see on these boxes will have a cable attached to it, which will be quite the drama...
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06-16-2009, 9:59 AM
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Aurora-7
 
Joined on 12-16-2002
Connecticut, USA
Posts 1,102
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Looking very nice. The first five images, however, do not work. I've seen a few images of this kit down up in exqusite detail. I really should get this kit, considering my avatar and username.
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06-19-2009, 2:30 PM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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06-22-2009, 12:35 PM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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06-23-2009, 10:49 AM
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mallagoodee
Joined on 07-11-2007
Ontario, Canada
Posts 44
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Phil, did you use the kit instrument panel and just augment it, or are you scratchbuilding the entire interior? You're doing such clean, precise work ... I'm loving this! Thanx lad Pete
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06-23-2009, 12:38 PM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Thanks, Pete. The entire interior is being scratchbuilt, it seems, including the instrument panel. The panel in the kit is inaccurate, and is too thick in profile...
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06-23-2009, 8:24 PM
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PetarB
Joined on 02-12-2007
Posts 104
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Looking forwards to seeing more on this WIP! It's not until you see the actual components through something like this excellent kit, that you realise the kind of low tech used to originally send people up into space. Having said this, it's not all that different these days, in some respects!
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06-28-2009, 1:50 AM
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rokket
Joined on 02-16-2005
Australia
Posts 144
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Very detailed and professional work! Anxiously awaiting more!
AMP - Accurate Model Parts
Fabric Flags, AM Uboat Goodies & More
http://amp.rokket.biz/
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07-02-2009, 9:33 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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07-05-2009, 1:18 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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07-05-2009, 10:50 PM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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The main instrument panel is complete, except for some random knobs and pull rings that will be added after painting. Added this evening is the auxiliary panel, which is on the astronaut's left. This panel was a bit of work, to be sure... I also added these cool hex-nut pneumatic fittings (the silver things), which are apparently aftermarket accessories for armor. These are attached to the pull rings (which will be added later) - the astronaut pulled or pushed these rings to enable or disable his ability to manually control the RCS system. The rings were literally attached to tubing that led directly to the thrusters. http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury31.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury32.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury33.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury34.jpg A good deal of this detail will, in fact, be obscured when the model is complete. However, there are four reasons why I am adding so much detail: 1. I love to do it and practice is always good 2. I will photograph the completed assembly before it is inserted into the capsule 3. Depending on the angle of view through the hatch and window, it is very possible cutting a corner will be apparent, and I just can't stand that 4. I'm learning a lot about my subject matter Next up: Periscope and instrument panel mount
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07-08-2009, 5:14 PM
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veedubb67
Joined on 01-20-2003
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts 23
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Phil, As usual, your work is impeccable! Thanks for sharing. Hope to see it in person soon. Rob Iwata Padawan
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07-11-2009, 12:58 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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07-14-2009, 8:02 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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07-16-2009, 10:27 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Painting of the instrument panel has begun. As those who are familiar with the Mercury Program know, the instrument panel was color coded using Earth tones. It is rumored that John Glenn was responsible for this, but there is no confirmation that is true. In any case, it is a major challenge to airbrush these sections, as I expected. But I did not want to paint the panels before gluing all the switches on, because the glue could mar the finish. On the other hand, I could not paint the assembly with all the switches in place. So I had to make a compromise. So far, so good. I will just need to do some very minor touchups with a brush at the end. I expected much worse... http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury45.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury46.jpg When I complete the basic painting of the panel, I will describe the colors used for those interested in building a model of the Mercury.
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07-16-2009, 11:37 AM
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subfixer
Joined on 03-09-2004
Hampton Roads, Virginia
Posts 3,333
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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 Astrazoic wrote: | Painting of the instrument panel has begun. As those who are familiar with the Mercury Program know, the instrument panel was color coded using Earth tones. It is rumored that John Glenn was responsible for this, but there is no confirmation that is true.
When I complete the basic painting of the panel, I will describe the colors used for those interested in building a model of the Mercury. |
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I wonder why it was earth tones. Maybe because it was easier on the eyes in the harsh natural sunlight? You are doing a superb job on this, Astrazoic. My compliments.
I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
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07-17-2009, 12:33 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Basic painting of the instrument panel is complete. What remains are the periscope display, knobs and switches. Next, I will affix decals, which include analog dials and stencils. Finally, I will add clear plastic disks in each dial. Once done, I will paint the other side and begin the process of adding the wire harness. http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury48.jpg Following is the same image, but with paint colors used. All paints are Polly Scale acrylics over Tamiya Gray Primer. Mix ratios are unclear - I eyeballed it, mostly because different photos show different values. I aimed for "close enough" here. http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury47.jpg
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07-20-2009, 9:21 AM
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Astrazoic
Joined on 08-25-2008
Denver, Colorado
Posts 56
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Re: WIP - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury "Friendship 7"
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Made some progress on the instrument panel. The panel and periscope alone constitute a model, it seems. I'm still far from finished with this assembly. By far, the most difficult, or the most frustrating, are the toggle switches and transparent toggle guards. The dials are decals made from diagrams of the panel itself from the NASA Mercury Familiarization Manual. Clear plastic disks will eventually be pushed into the circular recesses. I also successfully printed out some stencil decals for all the switches. Application of these decals is going to be an adventure, to be sure. http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury49.jpg http://www.philsmith.us/Mercury50.jpg
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