UPDATE PICS: Arrived in the mail tonight Revell 1/144 Space Shuttle...

Thanks wilbur, I didnt see your post sorry...

Yes, the decals were a bit of pain, but looks great once done.. Yes, they are way too light!

Thank you for the tips.. The setting solution sounds like a great idea.. I am going to try it!

Chris

Hi Chris, a new orbiter will be clean. The newly returned Discover was quite filthy. Good HQ photos on the NASA sight. Well the decals look good from here. I had heard they were lighter than they should be but it does look good. I have always had to use extra pieces of decal on models so thats no big deal. I always set with a solution of  about 9 parts water and 1 capful of distilled white vinegar. Its the same thing you buy as decal set for ridiculous money for 1/20 the price.

Hi Wilbur.. I dont know if it was just me, but in all honesty, the decals were a nightmare.. I dont know what scale they are printed, but they seemed a little small all round, and I had to use alot of the spares to fill the gaps.. Dont think I will want to do that again..

The only other complaint is that they are way too light grey for me.. I just feel they need to be almost a charcoal color, almost black... But once they are on. I am the first to admit that they really do look great, and bring this subject to life!

As for weathering, it will be a new orbiter waiting to be launched, so I really dont know how weathered it should be.. Someone may be able to help me on that one?

Chris

It looks good. Were the decals difficult? Are you going to weather it?  I'm starting to paint my Revell ISS.

Thanks for those pics Phil, exactly what I was looking for.. So now I will go and paint them red!

Cheers, Chris

Chris_in_Japan wrote:

Excellent.. Thank you for that Phil.. SO should they be painted red? Chris

Chris,

The red piping appears in some photos and not others. There are some photos of the "Block 2" SSME's which show red pipework, eg. the pics on this page and here

That would be the flash from the camera.......

Chris

Not bad at all Chris. She's looking good, but !!! and there is always a BUT......... Now it might be the pics and not the model BUT " LOL ' it looks to glossy to me in the front.

Other then that WOW ! another GREAT Job

Bud

Excellent.. Thank you for that Phil.. SO should they be painted red?

Chris

Chris,

What appears to be wiring on the nozzles, and the rib-like "rings" are actually pipes which form a cooling system for the nozzles. The liquid fuel flows through the pipes to cool the nozzles.

 

Thanks for checking in Bud.. Its been a little hectic here lately, but I have managed to get the orbiter done..

Ok, I have taken a few shots of the orbiter to show the tiles in place, and also the resin after-market booster nozzles..

Not sure how well you can see in this pic, but I have used different flat and gloss whites to get the difference in paneling to stand out.. You can just notice the change in shade if you look from the top of the bay doors to the side of the orbiter.. Also you can see the tiles all over the leading edges..



There is a big spot obove the windows that I need to patch.. Lets just say the decals dont exactly fit the way you would want??.. This took alot of patients, and alot of time. Alot of swearing, and alot of sweat.. But I am happy with the results...



I also used the after-market booster nozzles for this kit, and in all honesty, I dont know what kit they are built to go on, but I had to trim the large chunks of resin in order for them to fit this model... I think they look great though...



One question I have to ask.. If you look at the nozzle, you can see a form of wiring on the side.. In pics I have seen, the insulation on this wireing is red.. Is this red insulation still present when the Shuttle is on the pad ready to launch?.. And if anyone can tell me, what is it? I am guessing it has something to do with igniting the rocket before lift off?



Chris

Chris, no ones hurd from you in a week you ok how's the Space Shuttle going ?

Bud

Actually Bud.. I will be using it on the tank.. It is only 2 tone browns, so it will allow me to have a play around on something big and not tricky...

But for now, I am concentrating on the orbiter, and I have just finished doing the windshield decals, and also the tiles on the bottom.. And all I can say is, I havn't got alot done, and I have had to work my arse off.. But the end result will be sweet I think with the tiling!

Chris

Chris, are you going to try and use your new A/B on this build ?

Bud

Ok, this is where I'm at... I have the booster and rockets together. Also the launch pad display base done.. Just have to clean them all up and get them ready for painting...



This is where I am at with the orbiter...



If you look closely at the top of the orbiter, you can see some of the tiles that I have placed on there.



I will also be using the tile decals and resin replacement parts for the thruster nozzles...



You can't notice it in these shots, but I have been painting this orbiter in different shades of gloss and flat white in order to make the difference in the textures of the exterior!

Chris

LOL             

Bud

Oh, you just had to do that to me, didnt you!..

Stick to the plan Chris.. Stick to the plan!

Chris

Chris,

               Now this would be hard to do. But would look COOL !

Bud

Hay yea that's right. I did not get my check from you this month...................................

What can I said I see something good I let you know and if it STINKS, that's when I start getting piad

Bud

Well I will certainly take pictures and do a write up as I go, so happy for you to look on in...

The orbiter itself looks to be around 25cm, or 10 inches in length...

Bud.. people are going to start to think that you are on my payroll if you keep giving compliments like that!

Chris

Chris I would be interested to know how the upgrade stuff you said you were getting turns out. I'm starting the Revell ISS
now and will be building a 144 shuttle as well. There are spectacular Shuttle photos on the NASA website of the newly returned Discovery. Its pretty dirty/burned so go have a look ....also close ups of the tile configuration you could use if applying the decals.

Hope to hear more on your progress and if  your experience any tuff points in building the Shuttle.

Is it 9 inches in length? at 144th

However you do it, you build nice looking kits.

Bud

In all honesty Bud, it seems like it.. But because my time and days off are usually tight, I dont like sitting around doing nothing.. So I usually have a few things going at onece.. If something is drying, then I will sand, or build something else...  If it is something that I am really interested in, and researching, then it takes precidence.. But even then, while I am waiting for it. I am usually working on something else.. I have alot of un-completed kits lying around, with the promiss of actually being finished.. So I guess thats why it seems like alot!

Chris...

DAM Chris. you build like what, 10 kits at a time LOL

I only do 1 at a time and it take me a LONG time.

Can't wate to see your next build

Bud