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1/72 Space Shuttle Discovery

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  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Denver, Colorado
1/72 Space Shuttle Discovery
Posted by Astrazoic on Sunday, August 24, 2008 7:44 PM

Here is a link to my completed 1/72 Space Shuttle Discovery. I estimate this thing took between 800 and 1,000 hours to build and finish over three years, mostly because of the tedious nature of the tiling. I have a written description of what I did, and about 40 pictures taken throughout the build for those interested.

http://www.philsmith.us/PhilSmith10.html#Discovery

 

Phil Smith

www.astrazoic.com

  • Member since
    July 2007
  • From: Ontario, Canada
Posted by mallagoodee on Monday, August 25, 2008 4:29 AM
Simply, an outstanding model Phil! I hope FSM does a feature on the building of this ... have you approached them?

The details you've included are amazing. From the different surface textures, the correct window look, the RCS nozzles to the landing gear bay details ... great stuff!!

How-w-w-ever .... I am curious as to the weathering. I was expected to see a lot scorching on the sides of the orbiter ... is it there, and the photos don't pick it up? Or was it a case of not wanting to, possibly overdo it and ruin the look of the model?

I hope you're planning on attending the IPMS Nationals next year in Columbus, Ohio so we can all see this outstanding model!!

Pete
  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by Astrazoic on Monday, August 25, 2008 3:53 PM

Thanks, Pete! Seems you're the only one who is impressed :)

I did scorch the sides, but this is a relatively subtle effect on the real thing. The photos may be a little washed out. Having said that, I will revisit this issue and may amplify the effect...

Thanks for noticing the details,

Phil

Phil Smith

www.astrazoic.com

gsr
  • Member since
    December 2006
Posted by gsr on Monday, August 25, 2008 6:14 PM
I have been following your posts about the build on the Starship Modeler forum, and must say I am very impressed with the results you have achived.
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Lakewood, CO
Posted by kenjitak on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:17 PM
You're stuff looks great! It'll take me a bit to digest all of the info you have on the web site. Thanks!

Ken

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by Astrazoic on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:04 PM

Here's a write-up that I hope is useful:

http://www.philsmith.us/SpaceShuttleArticle.pdf

Phil Smith

www.astrazoic.com

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Boston
Posted by Wilbur Wright on Friday, August 29, 2008 7:52 PM

That is some exceptional work. My ISS is on page 4 of this section with Discovery attached and it doesn't look that I can tell you.

Outstanding work on the tiles. 

  • Member since
    March 2004
  • From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Posted by uilleann on Sunday, December 7, 2008 9:00 PM

Phil,

 

After 10 years at the local planetarium I've seen a LOT of space models, and some that absolutely blew me away.  I am pleased to  add your shuttle to the top of the 'blew me away' list!

 

Cheers!

 

Brian~

"I may not fly with the eagles.....but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!"
  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: SE Alabama
Posted by Retired Gunpilot on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 9:40 PM

That is one great model. Excellent work and something to be very proud of. I have seen museum models that are larger and less impressive as yours.

Great work

Charlie

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Tuscaloosa, AL
Posted by wingform84 on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:11 AM
absolutly amazing.. I have this kit as well, but havn't even thought of starting it.  the thing kinda scares me (plus its HUGE)
If you have a deviantart account, come join my model building club! http://model-buildersanon.deviantart.com/
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: The Great State of Wyoming
Posted by wyoroy on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:14 AM

 wingform84 wrote:
absolutly amazing.. I have this kit as well, but havn't even thought of starting it.  the thing kinda scares me (plus its HUGE)

Sign - Ditto [#ditto]  I did get your write up the reead over.  Looks fantasticThumbs Up [tup]

Roy (Capt. Wyoroy FAAGB/USNFAWGB)

John 3:16

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: League City, Texas
Posted by sfcmac on Thursday, December 11, 2008 3:08 PM

Look what just flew over!

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: The Great State of Wyoming
Posted by wyoroy on Thursday, December 11, 2008 7:11 PM
aaron, that's so cool.

Roy (Capt. Wyoroy FAAGB/USNFAWGB)

John 3:16

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Northern California
Posted by trexx on Thursday, December 11, 2008 8:34 PM

STUNNING!

Jaw droppingly excellent!

  • Member since
    September 2006
Posted by aussiemuscle308 on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 10:43 PM

totally awesome, dr phil. amazing bit of work. so is it off to a museum now? The astronaut looks out of place (in a hilarious way. i expect he's like "where's my pickup?")

i also enjoyed your other displays

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Canada
Posted by spacenut on Friday, March 27, 2009 10:43 PM

Simply incredible work Phil.  Sorry for the delay in replying to your post, but I just returned to FSM after a long hiatus and saw your work tonight.  I was especially interested in what you accomplished because I started a similar project 8 years ago building the Atlantis during the Hubble repair mission.  After using plastic strip cut into tile shapes to cover the vehicle and installing half of the cloth insulatioon I burnt out on the project and stored the model away.  Thanks to your post I feel inclined to pull that old piece of work out and finish it.

By the way, cudos for sticking it out.  You have more patience that I.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: UK
Posted by gregers on Monday, March 30, 2009 5:54 AM

Stunning build. Added to favourites for when I build mine. if mine looks half as good as yours I'll be more than happy with it.

All the best.

Greg

Why torture yourself when life will do it for you?
  • Member since
    November 2003
Posted by richter111 on Friday, April 17, 2009 1:18 PM

That is hands down the finest space shuttle model I have ever seen!

 

The tile work alone is astounding, beyond anything I have ever seen.  The subtle tile colorations, the way they look hand laid.

 

Simply amazing

 

Ric

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 8:37 PM
I'm glad I checked out this section of the boards tonight! That shuttle looks fantastic!

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    August 2008
  • From: Denver, Colorado
Posted by Astrazoic on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 3:57 PM

Thanks, everyone. I was looking around in here to see if anyone has tackled the 1/12 Mercury capsule from Atomic City, which I've started. Sadly, it appears I will be as OCD on Friendship 7 as I was on Discovery - the interior of the model will need to be entirely rebuilt, which is an immense challenge due to the complexity. I'll ball park it, to be sure, but it is quite the scrtchbuilding test.

I'll post pictures when things start getting interesting...

Phil Smith

www.astrazoic.com

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