Sweet! I built one of these a few years ago but never felt like I did a decent job with it. Yours looks great! I've kicked around the idea of finding another kit to give it a second try. Looks good, Don. The base really gives it lift (no pun intended).

Don: Super cool! Always nice to see something a little off the beaten path. Just curious though did you take any shots from other angles? Love to see the front lens for the big scope and some of the other details.

Havent taken other pix yet- it is a good thing I didn't.  Two more pics from that angle didn't work. I think my tripod is too light for the big heavy lens I used. I will take some more now that I am aware of that problem.  BTW, speaking of main mirror, I did add one- the kit did not include a primary mirror. I cut a disk of styrene that I covered with BMF and put where the primary is located. It has no power but at least when you look down the barrel you do see a reflection now!

Hmmm, odd seems like most people would look down the scope so it seems like the big mirror would be included! Looking forward to more photos Don!

Okay, here is a shot of the mirror as seen through the aperture. I didn't get it quite square, but I think you can see the primary mirror, as well as the obscuration by the secondary, and the spider.

I also include a shot from the side so you can see how I mounted it on a plexiglas rod.  The thing hiding behind the rod is a telemetry antenna and its strut.

Nice!  Looks like a fun kit.

Thanks for the extra photos Don, really sharp work there! Nice to see something a little different and you did a great job on her.

Nice!

I bought one of these off ebay several years ago.  When I went to build it I discovered 1/2 of that lower larger cylinder was missing!!! It was over a year later so there was no returning it. The original open box photo from the auction was of course gone. Don't remember  the auction mentioning missing parts or "as is" but it could have.

Oh well. That's what I get for not paying attention.

Nice build, and something different!

Hi Don, I just want to chime in on this.  You did an excellent job building and displaying this kit.. I have this same kit and it is in my que to build.  I might work on it this winter, which is not that far off BTW. I live in SE Wisconsin so we both share the Midwest climate.

You are right about the panels, they are junk.  I plan to scratch build those as you did.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Dang spell check. Queue.

Great work Don!  Love the pic and base idea too!

Eagle90

Very nice build of some different subject matter!

Mike