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The Race Into Space GB, October 2018 - July 2019 (Ended)

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GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
The Race Into Space GB, October 2018 - July 2019 (Ended)
Posted by GAF on Sunday, September 2, 2018 4:49 PM

NOTE: Mission has been extended to July 24th (Apollo 11 splashdown) to help in finishing up some final details.

Okay! Let's light this candle!

In commemoration of the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, I wanted to run a group build dedicated to the attempt to put men into space. This is not a GB wholly dedicated to the space-race, but to the much wider endeavor of exploration by many nations. As such, it ranges in subjects from the early rockets to the planetary robot explorers and concept vehicles that are on the drawing boards today.

I don't think we've ever had a Group Build dedicated solely to real space subjects at FSM (at least not as far back as I can read). Some of my first models were of early spacecraft, so I hope you'll join me in a nostalgic voyage as we look back, and ahead, to a time of great excitement and accomplishment in the history of mankind.

The Group Build will launch Oct. 4, 2018, the anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, and end on July 20, 2019 (the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing). About 9 months. If you can birth a baby in 9 months, you should be able to build a model.

Time frame is from 1945 to the present. From V2's to Falcon Heavy Lifter. From X1 to X37b. I might even accept Skylon, if you ask nicely.

As this is a very unusual GB, the rules are going to be pretty relaxed. If you are currently working on something, and all you have to do is put the decals on, then go ahead and enter.

If you want to take an existing model and redo it, then that's okay too. I think redoing an existing model is sometimes more difficult than building one out of the box.Just show us what you've done and post some pictures of the process. The more pictures, the better (even if it's just your cat sitting on your model)!

What is allowed? Almost anything used by the space programs, including vehicles, ships, aircraft, automobiles (those gold Corvettes owned by the Apollo 12 crew would qualify), test craft, buildings, experimental test beds, monkeys, etc. Just show how it's connected, and you're good to go!

Some qualifications about the GB. I would like to get at least 10 people to sign up. Why 10? Well, because that means that probably 5 will actually complete something! It's a GB statistic that most Group Builds only have half of the participants complete their models, so getting at least 5 complete builds will make it worthwhile. I do warn you that prior to start, I will take roll-call. If we do not have that number of participants I will abort the launch. Just a heads up to all considering joining.

I want to thank ModelCrazy for agreeing to help co-host this group build. I hope we can give you a smooth and safe ride.

Mission Director – Gary (GAF)

Flight Director – Steve (ModelCrazy)

Mission Clock

In that vein, here's a list of best test pilot / real space movies.  Feel free to suggest, and I'll put them in the list.

The Right Stuff (of course) - The Right Stuff is a 1983 American epic historical drama film. It was adapted from Tom Wolfe's best-selling 1979 book of the same name about the Navy, Marine and Air Force test pilots who were involved in aeronautical research at Edwards Air Force Base, California, as well as the Mercury Seven, the seven military pilots who were selected to be the astronauts for Project Mercury, the first manned spaceflight by the United States.

October Sky - October Sky is a 1999 American biographical drama film directed by Joe Johnston, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Chris Owen, and Laura Dern. It is based on the true story of Homer H. Hickam, Jr., a coal miner's son who was inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to take up rocketry against his father's wishes and eventually became a NASA engineer. "October Sky" is based on the lives of four young men who grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia.

I Aim At the Stars - 1960 The life story of the famed rocket scientist Dr. Werner von Braun, one of the most brilliant and controversial figures of the space age. Dr. von Braun helped pioneer man's adventure into space through his rocket experiments; his was the brain behind the V-2 rockets which blasted London in World War II; his was also the brain which led America into the development and the launching of space satellites.

Toward the Unknown - 1956 USAF Major Lincoln Bond is captured, tortured and released from a POW camp in Korea. After the war he returns to the US where he is re-assigned as a test pilot at the Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. The Air Force is testing the new experimental aircraft Gilbert XF-120 fighter. The acceptance of the new aircraft by the Air Force is dependent on successful tests designed to prove the aircraft's reliability and safety. However, when Major Bond flies the prototype he encounters a problem that points out a dangerous structural flaw. This could threaten the aircraft's acceptance by the Air Force and derail the whole project. Major Bond's commanding officer and some of his colleagues start to suspect that Major Bond is imagining things because of his mental condition dating back to his imprisonment and torture in the Korean POW camp. (NOTE: Watch when Holden walks into the officer's club and looks at the hand prints on the wall of the pilots who have been there.)

Apollo 13 - 1995 Based on the true story of the ill-fated 13th Apollo mission bound for the moon. Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert were scheduled to fly Apollo 14, but are moved up to 13. It's 1970, and The US has already achieved their lunar landing goal, so there's little interest in this "routine" flight.. until that is, things go very wrong, and prospects of a safe return fade.

X-15 - 1961 At the height of the Cold War during the 1960s the U.S. Air Force and NASA tested an experimental rocket-powered research aircraft code-named X-15.The X-15 experiments were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base.The X-15 aircraft set altitude and speed records by reaching the edge of outer space.The project is managed by U.S. Air Force Colonel Craig Brewster and scientist Tom Deparma. The main test pilots are Matt Powell, Colonel Lee Brandon and Major Ernest Wilde.During the test flights the X-15 aircraft is dropped from a B-52 Stratofortress mother ship before starting its engine.The whole test team is enthusiastic about the project but the project is plagued by setbacks and near disasters right from the start.

Destination Moon - 1950 (included even though it was science fiction when produced, but still the most accurate depiction of spaceflight at the time). After their latest rocket fails, Dr. Charles Cargraves and retired General Thayer have to start over again. This time, Gen. Thayer approaches Jim Barnes, the head of his own aviation construction firms to help build a rocket that will take them to the moon. Together they gather the captains of industry and all pledge to support the goals of having the United States be the first to put a man on the moon. They build their rocket and successfully leave the Earth's gravitational pull and make the landing as scheduled. Barnes has miscalculated their fuel consumption however and after stripping the ship bare, they are still 100 lbs too heavy meaning that one of them will have to stay behind. (Interesting note about this film is that it foretells that some might actually OPPOSE the launching of a rocket that uses an atomic engine for fear it might crash and spread radioactive debris.)

The Astronaut Farmer - 2006 Texan Charles Farmer left the Air Force as a young man to save the family ranch when his dad died. Like most American ranchers, he owes his bank. Unlike most, he's an astrophysicist with a rocket in his barn - one he's built and wants to take into space. It's his dream. The FBI puts him under surveillance when he tries to buy rocket fuel; the FAA stalls him when he files a flight plan - it's post-9/11, after all. His wife is angry when she finds out their bank is initiating foreclosure. Charlie fears failure and decides, precipitously, to launch. Are twenty-first century American dreams just a sign of insanity? Are those who believe in dreamers only fools?

From the Earth to the Moon (HBO) - 1998 The twelve episodes follow the Apollo space program from a variety of viewpoints: (1) "Can We Do This?" maps the origins of Apollo and its Mercury and Gemini roots; (2) "Apollo 1" tells of the tragic fire and the subsequent finger-pointing; (3) "We Have Cleared the Tower" portrays the intense preparation for Apollo 7; (4) "1968" puts Apollo 8 into its historical context against events of the era; (5) "Spider" shows the engineering POV through the design, building, and testing of the LEMs with Apollos 9 and 10, (6) "Mare Tranquilitatis" shows the deeper considerations behind the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing; (7) "That's All There Is" portrays the camaraderie of the Apollo 12 crew; (8) "We Interrupt This Program" shows a by-now-indifferent media galvanized by the events of Apollo 13; (9) "For Miles and Miles" tells of Alan Shepherd's return to the manned program with Apollo 14 after being grounded between Mercury and Gemini; (10) "Galileo Was Right" show the non-piloting demands on the Apollo 15 astronauts as they train in lunar field geology; (11) "The Original Wives Club" gives the female POV through the wives of the New Nine; and (12) "La Voyage Dans La Lune" brings things full circle by contrasting Georges Méliès's vision and drive in creating his 1902 film with Apollo 17 and the Apollo program's close.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, September 2, 2018 4:49 PM

Here is a selection of Group Badges that Gary has put together. We would like to narrow it down to 3 (maybe 4) so please let us know what you prefer. If you have an image you would like to propose as a badge, post it up and we'll consider using it.

This one definitely!

  

  

And a special one if you manage to complete your build before July 20, 2019!

 

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Sunday, September 2, 2018 4:50 PM

A list of participants so far:

  GAF (Mission Director) – 1/48 Revell Apollo CM/SM/LM (Completed)

      - 1/200 AMT Man In Space Model (Redstone, Atlas/Mercury, Titan/Gemini)

        (Completed)

     - 1/100 MPC Vostok (Completed)

 Modelcrazy (Flight Director)1/200 AMT Man in Space Rocket Collection

(Saturn V Completed)

Prime Crew:

  Bakster - 1/72 Horizon Models Mercury Redstone (Completed)

     -  1/48 Eduards Bell X-1 (Completed)

DesertRat - 1/48 Hasegawa Unmanned Space Probe Voyager

  Drums01 - 1/48 Monogram LM (Completed)

      - 1/72nd Monogram X-15 (Completed)

 

 Eagle90 - 1/144 Airfix Saturn IB-Apollo 7

(First Completed)

Falconmod - 1/96 Revell CM/SM/LM

   Gamera - 1/8 Revell Apollo Astronaut on the Moon (Completed)

Hypertex - 1/48 Dragon Lunar Module "Eagle"

JJFlyer - 1/144 Revell Saturn V

Justinryan215 - 1/144 Revell Saturn V

Lewbud - 1/144 Airfix Space Shuttle

 Mach71 - 1/12 Atomic City Mercury Capsule (Completed)

     - 1/48 Pegasus V2 (Completed)

      - Revell 1/25 Corvette (Apollo 12) (Completed)

PFJN - 1/72 Mach2 X-24B / Concept Shuttle Test Body

Real G  - 1/72 Muroc M2F1 Lifting Body / 1/72 Italeri DC-3 (R4D)

Scottrc - 1/100 Estes Saturn V

Taxtp - 1/72 MPM X-15A-2

WZ2 - 1/24 Revell Gemini Space Craft

Mission Director (GAF)

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, September 2, 2018 4:56 PM

Here's my entry

1/200 AMT Man in Space Rocket Collection

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by PFJN on Sunday, September 2, 2018 5:54 PM

Hi,

My build will be the X-24B half of this kit...

 

X-24

Pat

1st Group BuildSP

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, September 2, 2018 6:15 PM

I like number 1, 2, and of corurse the last one. I like the idea of a special early finish badge.

What do you think of adding this to the voting.

or

Just a thought.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Sunday, September 2, 2018 6:16 PM

Horizon Models 1/72 Mercury Restone

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Sunday, September 2, 2018 6:43 PM

Okay, the build list is updated.

Modelcrazy> I like the first of the F1 engines.  The second of the Saturn V liftoff may be too tall for a good badge image.  I rejected a few images like that because of the same problem.  I'll go ahead and put text on the first and put it in the candidates.  Smile

Oh, and here's photos of my collection, mostly in pieces that I've had for around 50 years.  I'll be doing the Revell Apollo (second picture, lower right).  I'm missing a few pieces, but it'll be scratch-building a base and Launch Escape Tower.  Should be a test of my skills.  Huh?

Note that box of parts at the bottom!

 

Gary

PS> While I'm thinking about it, if you want, you can move the links from my 3rd post into yours, and then I'll delete them in mine.  You can handle the badge selection.

How's that?

 

 

 

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Sunday, September 2, 2018 7:28 PM

I’m not sure anyone suggested it already, but how about doing a “T-Minus-XX Days” to the GB “liftoff”?  Starting at T-Minus 10 Days.  At T-Minus Zero, declare “Liftoff, we have liftoff!”  Then post that famous shot looking downward from the launch gantry as the Saturn V blasts off.  Or that horizontal shot with the first stage moving upwards, revealing the “United States of America” lettering on the side?

Or is that too political in this PC age?  Nevertheless, I definitely remember being a proud four year old American back in July of 1969.  The space race and moon shot were such a huge thing even a little kid could feel it everywhere.

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Sunday, September 2, 2018 8:04 PM

RealG> Check the link at the bottom of the first post.  I'm still looking for a way to get the clock to show up in he post itself.  Smile

Meanwhile, I think we'll have something appropriate for launch!

Gary

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Boston
Posted by mach71 on Sunday, September 2, 2018 9:03 PM

Looks like you have your 10 entries! Excellent! 

 

Put me down for the Atomic City 1/12 Mercury Capsule.

I've been vacillating between that and the 1/24 Revell Gemini, the Mercury is winning.

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, September 2, 2018 9:12 PM

GAF

Okay, the build list is updated.

Modelcrazy> I like the first of the F1 engines.  The second of the Saturn V liftoff may be too tall for a good badge image.  I rejected a few images like that because of the same problem.  I'll go ahead and put text on the first and put it in the candidates.  Smile

Oh, and here's photos of my collection, mostly in pieces that I've had for around 50 years.  I'll be doing the Revell Apollo (second picture, lower right).  I'm missing a few pieces, but it'll be scratch-building a base and Launch Escape Tower.  Should be a test of my skills.  Huh?

Note that box of parts at the bottom!

 

Gary

PS> While I'm thinking about it, if you want, you can move the links from my 3rd post into yours, and then I'll delete them in mine.  You can handle the badge selection.

How's that?

 

 

 

 

I like the base with the shadow. That's iconic. It would be better if it was John Young saluting the flag.

I thought about the hight of the S5, like the engine view as well.

I'll copy your badges and put them on my post.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Sunday, September 2, 2018 10:55 PM

Mach71> Your build is listed.  That 1/12 Mercury capsule is going to be quite a project!

And we'll see about the 10 sign-ups, though I might want to shoot for 7.  More of an iconic number! Big Smile

Modelcrazy> Okay, badges are transferred.  Yeah, that base is from the Monogram Lunar Lander model.  Much better than the Revell version.  Smile

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Milaca, Minnesota
Posted by falconmod on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 8:45 AM

Here's my contribution.   Revell's 1/96 scale CM/LEM.   this was a raffle win that was started, but has been broken down.  I'll have to strip the old paint and repair/replace several parts to say the least.

John

On the Bench: 1/72 Ki-67, 1/48 T-38

1/144 AC-130, 1/72 AV-8A Harrier

  • Member since
    November 2010
  • From: Florida-West Central
Posted by Eagle90 on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 9:36 AM

Man....what an awesome GB and what cool badges!  I will look at my stash (and I have A LOT of real spce stuff) and I will let you know by the weekend what I'll build.  I might have to do more then one for this GB!  Whistling

Thanks guys for hosting a GREAT GB!

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: 37deg 40.13' N 95deg 29.10'W
Posted by scottrc on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 10:55 AM

 I have an Estes Saturn V I hope to start on after the first of the year.

  • Member since
    October 2010
Posted by hypertex on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 10:56 AM

My entry will be Dragon's 1/48 Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle. Kind of an obvious choice considering the upcoming anniversary.

My plan is to put this on a base depicting the lunar surface.

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 1:52 PM

Hypertex, Scottrc, Falconmod> Your builds are listed.  Thank you!

Eagle90> Got a few more weeks to choose. Big Smile

Oddly, while going through my old models, I noticed I was missing the Revell 1/96 scale LM.  I have the CM/SM, but the LM has vanished!  Well...

And, for your consideration, here are a few more images to consider for a Group Build Badge that I didn't get around to placing text on.

 

Gary

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Milaca, Minnesota
Posted by falconmod on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 2:09 PM

I wasn't me honest! Indifferent

John

On the Bench: 1/72 Ki-67, 1/48 T-38

1/144 AC-130, 1/72 AV-8A Harrier

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 2:26 PM

LOL!  No, I think I misplaced a box somewhere in my moves.  Oh, darn... Sad

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 2:44 PM

Not that my opinion means anything, but for conversation sake, my favorites are from the first batch that MC posted on 9/2. My favorites in order of preference are 4, 3, and 6. I like 4 the most because in my mind it embodies the title of this GB. That rocket is racing to space, man. It fits the subject at hand. Just my one cent for you.

Nice pictures guys. They all look good. Thanks for the work done thus far. I hope we make the criteria to launch this sucker because I think this mission will be one for the books.

Updated: 4, 3, and 6. Not 5 a I noted.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 2:47 PM

Made a correction in my last post.

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 2:55 PM

I am beginning to think that it might be too hard to choose between all the images, and that perhaps we should just allow people to pick their favorite from all of them for their own use.

Saves some time, anyway.  Smile

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 3:01 PM

GAF

I am beginning to think that it might be too hard to choose between all the images, and that perhaps we should just allow people to pick their favorite from all of them for their own use.

Saves some time, anyway.  Smile

Gary

 

That sounds like a good idea to me; personalize the thing. People can use what inspires them. But, I'll go with whatever. 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 7:55 PM

Yeah, that sounds good to me too. The problem could be that it's harder to decide when you have a large choice. It's like listening to one song over another, if you have two or three it's not a problem, but when you have 100........

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 6:38 AM

Quick question.....would Squadron‘s 1/72 Haunebu fall into this category?  I got it last year for my birthday, and started it, but put it away after the first couple of steps because Cub Scout season was rolling out and I didn’t have time to work on it....

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day.  But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 6:52 AM

I would think Gary would say no. It didn't have anything to do with the actual space race and it was intended as a weapon only (while one could argue that missiles like the Redstone, Atlas etc. were intended originally as weapons only as well).

Was it actually built? I know we found plans for it.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

GAF
  • Member since
    June 2012
  • From: Anniston, AL
Posted by GAF on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 7:58 AM

Actually, no plans (original, anyway) were ever found.  Nor any evidence that it was ever anything other than UFOologists wild imaginations.  If there was even a scrap of real evidence that the Germans had even planned such a machine, I might allow it.  I would allow the two-stage version of the V2 as it was at least a concept, but this...  science fiction.

At one time I joked that I would build the Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise in olive drab with U.S. Army Air Corps markings to show why the haunebu was not over Normandy bombarding the D-Day landings.  Big Smile

Gary

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Hatboro, PA
Posted by Justinryan215 on Wednesday, September 5, 2018 10:02 AM

GAF

Actually, no plans (original, anyway) were ever found.  Nor any evidence that it was ever anything other than UFOologists wild imaginations.  If there was even a scrap of real evidence that the Germans had even planned such a machine, I might allow it.  I would allow the two-stage version of the V2 as it was at least a concept, but this...  science fiction.

At one time I joked that I would build the Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise in olive drab with U.S. Army Air Corps markings to show why the haunebu was not over Normandy bombarding the D-Day landings.  Big Smile

Gary

 

No worries!

just figured it was worth an ask.....

"...failure to do anything because someone else can do better makes us rather dull and lazy..."

Mortal as I am,I know that I am born for a day.  But when I follow at my pleasure the serried multitude of the stars in their circular course, my feet no longer touch the Earth...

 

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Boston
Posted by mach71 on Thursday, September 6, 2018 4:52 PM

As listed, here is what I'm going to build.

 

 

 

 

This thing is BIG!

 

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