Space shuttle tower

You might take a look at this site---they may have what you're looking for.

http://www.launchcomplexmodels.com/ML.html

Looks like some good stuff there.
Ray

Wow..! (what else to say..??!?!)

I think that "WOW" is for the prices as well as the models but, I've never seen
anything better.
Ray

Yes, the prices left me speechless for a while, but the stuff loks fantastic..! Ray, I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time and ask you about those 'problems' that face us, 'Shuttle builders', and in particular the famed and infamous tiles. Since you've worked on the real thing (or close to anyway, closer than me in any case), what's your feeling about replicating the tiles on a space shuttle model? On the real thing, is there 'gaps' between the various tiles, I mean deep enough to justify engraving them on a model? Or are those tiles decals the right way to do it? Ray, another thing, for any particular mission, are there any kind of drawings done to organise the lay-out of all the gear in the cargo bay? You see, I've always wanted to build my 1/72 space shuttle kit to represent the Magellan mission, but I can not find enough pics or reference that allow me to exactly replicate all areas of the bay... I know it's kind of nitpicking as most would never notice, but I want to get it as close as possible from what was reality. That kind of drawings would be invaluable to any space shuttle modeler, I'd think...!

Domi

Neat stuff on that site! I recently saw the above-mentioned Shuttle & launch tower kit on ebay and it was over $260 when I looked at it. Don't know if that particular auction has ended...

Domi,
My experience with the Shuttle has been strictly from a Mission Control standpoint. Strangely, while I've supported every mission the shuttle has flown,
I've never been "up close and personal" with the orbiter. I just now wandered down the hall to the control room and looked at our photos of STS-30 which was
the Magellan mission. The photos of the payload bay with Magellan perched on the IUS (inertial upper stage) are useless from a modeller's point of view.
As for the tiles, they are fitted very, very closely together. There can be NO GAPS
between them if they are to protect the orbiter. Personally, I'd ignore the tiles
as I think it would be too much work to represent them but, that's me. If I were to
attempt to represent them, I think I'd paint the area a dark grayish black and use
a 0.1mm mechanical drafting pencil to draw on the lines and then seal them with
a clear coat. As for detailing the payload bay, a company called "Real Space Models" has a 1/72 payload bay kit as well as a kit for the proper engines.
The URL to their site is: http://www.realspacemodels.com/html/catalog.html
I believe this company works with Launch Complex Models but, I'm not completely sure of that. I know this isn't much but, I hope it helps you out.
BTW---I supported STS-1 from a former British colony---No, not the US of A---
The Seychelles Islands where I was brutally forced to live for six years.
Cheers,
Ray

Thanks for that, Ray. I've heard of Real Space Models and my good friend JChurch here on this Forum has only wonderful things to say about their Shuttle stuff. However from what I understand, I'd think that modeling the STS-30 mission would still require lots of extra bits (plus the probe!), bits for which little reference is available... So I take it that that kind of 'drawings' with the layout of the bay for each individual mission is not available..? I also appreciate your input about the tiles. I've been pondering for a long time (years now!) how to cope with this feature..!

Domi

Just talked with some of the guys and the general feeling is that you might be able to get the info you need directly from NASA. I haven't checked that out myself, though.
Ray

It's worth a try! Thanks, Ray

Thanks for the reply Ray. However, I'm a bit confused as to what the company is doing. Are they creating a brass tower kit to go with other brands of the orbiter...such as a 1/144 Revell kit? Real Space Models is referenced there, but as already mentioned, they seem to only be producing upgrade parts of the model.

I think they are producing tower kits in different scales to use with any of the
"full stack" shuttle kits.
For Domi:
Domi I'm going to fire off an e-mail this morning to an old Navy buddy who is an
engineer at JSC in Houston. I'll ask him if any drawings are available to the public. If he can legally access them, I'll forward you a copy.
Ray

Domi,
E-mail sent---awaiting reply
Ray

Domi
I got this URL from my friend at JSC. You might find something you can use.

http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/iams/html/pao/STS30.htm

Good luck and good hunting.
Ray

Thanks, Ray. Good stuff there!

De nada, Domi.
You can use that URL to access any shuttle mission---just change the mission number
Ray