1/1 scale Mercury Capsule...

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

1/1 scale Mercury Capsule...

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 16, 2004 4:35 PM

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing some progress pics of one of my studios current projects.

This Mercury Capsule replica is being built for a space museum in NY state. I built a 1/1 scale Apollo Command Module for them over the summer and I am looking forward to building several other projects for them in the future.

This capsule, once finished, will be used as a master for molds. These molds will give my shop the ability to make as many of these as I like. They will be marketed to museums and private collectors.

Here are some pictures showing the skin being installed. The panels themselves represent well over 100 hours of research and work. Recreating these correctly was not easy but the end result has so far paid off.
Once the capsule is skinned, I will make modifications to some of the panels so that they match the real craft and will be adding important details such as the hatch, window, attitude control jets, etc...

After that I will focus on the parachute and radio housing as well as the heatshield.

http://gerathsdesign.com/TempNet/Mercury/049.jpg
http://gerathsdesign.com/TempNet/Mercury/050.jpg
http://gerathsdesign.com/TempNet/Mercury/052.jpg
http://gerathsdesign.com/TempNet/Mercury/053.jpg

Dana
http://www.GerathsDesign.com

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, December 16, 2004 5:44 PM

Good stuff, Dana! Are the skin panels vac-form?

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sb36

Member since
February 2003
From: The Wetlands of Long Island

Posted by sb36 on Thursday, December 16, 2004 7:55 PM

what museum would that be? i live in new york and there are few good museum references for space and space related items, espcially for mercury and gemini programs. i would love to see your work in person. Cool [8D]

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stinger

Member since
January 2003
From: Everywhere

Posted by stinger on Thursday, December 16, 2004 9:49 PM

I envy you in your job. Getting to be up close to the originals and recreate them would be a dream job for me. Your work looks great, and can't wait to see the finished item.

Just curious: I can't really tell from the photos, but did you use Phillips head screws to fasten the panels? I was shocked when I looked at Glenn's capsule in the NASM and saw that they used 'slotted' head screws!

stinger

May an Angel be your wingman, and the Sun be always at your six

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russianfist

Member since
July 2004
From: Oregon, Rain country U.S.A.

Posted by russianfist on Sunday, December 19, 2004 12:19 AM

I sat in one of the capsule gemini simulaters as a kid.
Glad to see that people still have interest in the space program.

PS. didn't everything back then use slotted screws???

You got a telegram from headquarters today. Headquarters--what is it? Well, it's a big building where generals meet, but that's not important right now. [ img] f_armorsecretm_ac7eb73[/ img]

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stinger

Member since
January 2003
From: Everywhere

Posted by stinger on Sunday, December 19, 2004 10:12 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by russianfist

PS. didn't everything back then use slotted screws???

Apparently so. I just thought that the space program would have been ahead of the times. Then again, this was the late 50's, early 60's.

May an Angel be your wingman, and the Sun be always at your six

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 20, 2004 3:34 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by stinger

I envy you in your job. Getting to be up close to the originals and recreate them would be a dream job for me. Your work looks great, and can't wait to see the finished item.

Just curious: I can't really tell from the photos, but did you use Phillips head screws to fasten the panels? I was shocked when I looked at Glenn's capsule in the NASM and saw that they used 'slotted' head screws!

stinger

All of the Mercury capsules used phillips head screws, the slotted head were apparently post flight replacements. Keep in mind that every capsule was completely taken apart after the flight for examination, etc. Perhaps when it was put back together the screws were replaced or even the museum could have done so during restoration.

Either way, according to ALL of the pre-flight photos in my reference library as well as my documentation from NASA and McDonnell the capsule shingles were attached to the capsules with #10 phillip head metal screws and a mixture of 1" and 1.25" washers.

Dana
http://www.GerathsDesign.com

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stinger

Member since
January 2003
From: Everywhere

Posted by stinger on Monday, December 20, 2004 9:18 AM

Thanks for clearing that up for me Dana. I knew you would have the right answer, and I hope you didn't think I was ever doubting you.

I would have thought that NASM would have wanted to maintain accuracy, even on such a small level.

You do great work, and I hope to see more pics in the future.

stinger

May an Angel be your wingman, and the Sun be always at your six

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