1968 Revell 1/12 Gemini astronaut

Very cool kit

Thanks!

It's kind of a blast (off) from the past.

I dug out my old Petersen's space books from the early '70s.

I love these books!

The Gemini book.

Some reference photo's.

The basic Gemini G3C/G4C suit looks to be flat white overall.

Ed White's suit had an extra layer of felt for micrometeoroid protection.

I'll probably prime, then pre-shade with a blue wash, then gloss white.

After decals I'll semi-flat coat him.

I think I'll paint the helmet racing white for a slight contrast to the main suit.

EVA suits had a clip on sun visor, and the photo's of Ed look like his visor is

tinted gold. The kit visor has a very slight gold tint.

At least thats the plan for now.

This morning I got Ed's legs and one arm glued on in preparation for priming.

I'm leaving his other arm with the ZOT gun off for now for ease of painting.

Any thought  or suggestions would be appreciated.

Mark

Cool to see this one again!

I got it as a birthday present when it was first issued, and it was as cool a figure model as I had ever seen -- even having built all the Aurora monsters! Back then the visor was actually a deep amber-colored plastic, and at least the capsule base...maybe the whole thing...was molded in silver.

My main memory of it is that, once assembled...with that large, relatively heavy figure floating supported by that tiny little umbilical...even traffic passing by on the street outside the house would set it to bobbing and vibrating. A year or so on, the tube-glue assembled umbilical finally just cracked off from the capsule base and the whole shebang cartwheeled off the shelf, shattering into shrapnel when it hit the floor. (A few days later Neil and Buzz walked on the moon, so I didn't take it too hard...but I was sorry to see that tribute to the late Ed White go in the bin!)

I look forward to seeing yours completed!

Thanks gregbale.

I seem to remember the astronaut molded in white and the Gemini molded in silver also.

The visor has lost a lot of it's tinting over the years. 

I'm worried about the umbilical myself, I could substitute some brass wire I suppose.

There was a small amount of putty needed after the glue dried. I'm waiting for that to dry. Hopefully I can get some primer on later Ed today.

I also masked everything that still needs glueing.

Primed and some blue pre shading. I also painted the helmet racing white.

I pre painted the straps and masked them, and put 2 coats of gloss white on. That didn't work great. 

I started to repaint the straps but the white was not fully set. I'll let him set for a bit longer.

gregbale

Cool to see this one again!

<SNIP>

Ditto!!  I remember putting this kit in a diorama for a 'space day' (I think) project in elementary school.  One side of the cardbord box it was set into was the earth below, two other sides were the blackness of space.  

Thanks for the memory!!  

Cool project!

I've been away from home for a while, but managed to get a little bench time in 

today. The straps still need work, and started the detail work.

You are doing this unique kit justice. I too built it as a kid in the early 70s and painted it with colors straight out of the Testors little bottles ... so the face was veryyyyyyy "fleshy" looking. the umbilical was veryyyyyyyyyyy goldy-like ... you get the idea.

I solved the problem of the frail umbilical hose by posing my finished model on its side - the astronaut's feet were on the display shelf and the "bottom" edge of the Gemini capsule was also on its side, with the umbilical connecting them.

mfsob

I solved the problem of the frail umbilical hose by posing my finished model on its side - the astronaut's feet were on the display shelf and the "bottom" edge of the Gemini capsule was also on its side, with the umbilical connecting them.

Wish I'd thought of that! 

Thanks.

It's been a while, but I've managed to get to my bench a few times. 

Mostly small detail hand painting.

I forgot that you were on here too Mark. You've been here for a WHILE!!! Lookin' good man.

I know I'm the only one that didn't build this kit when it came out. But in my defense I was working full time and had put my modeling tools away in the storage loft of Dads garage.  So, watchin' your build progress is a real treat. An' your doin' a bang up job of it too.

Thanks!

Mustang1989, yah I use the same screen name on every forum. Good to see you here also!

Duster, you should give it a go, I think I paid $20 shipped for Ed on Ebay.

I've made progress on Ed.

I glued some fishing weights inside the capsule/stand.

Getting closer.

I painted some capsule details red and gave Ed a shadow wash.

Ed is done!

mach71

Ed is done!

Wow! Just...wow! Truly gorgeous work, my friend!

Thanks!

It was a fun, interesting build.

Masterful work, Mach!  You've done Ed proud.

I recognize that Corvette in the background! 

Gary

Thanks!

I thought Ed belonged with the 'Vette.

I wish I had built him for your Space GB!

Nice stuff!!!

Love how the suit painting turned out! Super cool!