The Race Into Space GB, October 2018 - July 2019 (Ended)

Hi,

Your pictures look great, and show alot of good detail info.

Thanks for posting them.

PF

I really like how everything is starting to take shape for (most) everyone. I'm still checking in while working my Armor GB. If I plan things right, I will return to take on another race to space build. I really enjoyed this GB.... 

Keep it up everyone and Happy Thanksgiving....

Ben

Mission accomplished. 

I think I had mentioned that doing panel lines was something I hadn't done much of. So, in that "line" of thought, I had to do some research and testing. Using a scrap piece of plastic I tried various forms of straight edges and scribing tools. Between Tamiya, a needle, and a razor saw, the saw won out hands down. I was able to get much more consistency in terms of depth, width, and sureness. I struggled a bit with the other tools. Oh, and I used the tip of the saw to do the cutting. It cut into the plastic nicely. I should mention too that I rotated the piece leaving the saw in one place. This seemed to help me maintian a more controlled pressure and postition of the blade.

Lastly--Dymo Tape is the bomb. It has a straight, strong, and high edge to draw your tool against. Without that, the tools tend to walk, producing what I would call a drunkard line. Hiccup.

Overall--I am happy with how they all turned out. Phew. 

Next up: Rivet detail needs some attention. I will repunch them a bit because they look weak. After that--she is ready for primer. 

modelcrazy

That really did turn out well.

 

Hi,

Its great to see everyone's stuff coming along.  Sorry I haven't posted much in the way of updates lately.  For the most part I have been trying to do some painting and clean up, though at times I feel that I may actually being going backwards instead of progressing.

Here is a quick picture of where I am now though.  I have started painting the wing tips and tail.  In it you can also see the little astronaut that I 3D printed (I call him "Major Healy").

In looking through the internet I have found several similar, but different paint schemes, and (for simplicity) I think I am shooting for one with just the wing tipos painted red and 3 stripes on the tail, like in this image below (though I intend to use white as a base color (like the white and blue shuttle to the right of the image) instead of gray). 

Mach71>  Thank you!  Those pictures are great!  Nice shots of the LM, ALSEP and CM/SM!  I really plan on making it up to Huntville soon to answer a few questions concerning the Apollo spacecraft.

Ben> Glad to have you look in and keep up with everything.  Would be glad to have you build another project and get your "Senior Astronaut" badge.

Bakster>  Wow!  That is looking fantastic!  You make it look easy.  Yes, that Dymo tape is very useful.  Haven't seen a label maker in years, though.

PFJN>  Looks good!  She does look similar to the "white" version on the right.  I think those are all Boeing designs, if I make out the placards correctly.  Got any thoughts on how you're going to do the windows?

Oh, and Major Nelson is off with Jeannie, eh? 

*

And thanks for the comments!  I'm slowly but surely plugging away at my stuff.  I noticed we only had 242 days left before mission end.  I gotta get moving!

Gary

GAF

Wow!  That is looking fantastic!  You make it look easy.  Yes, that Dymo tape is very useful.  Haven't seen a label maker in years, though.

Thanks, Gary. I wasn't  sure about the Sprue Goo and scribing it, but it sure worked well.

Yeah, I had my doubts I'd be able to find the tape locally. I went to an office supply store, searched the isles back and forth, and I was about ready to give up. At the last moment I spotted it. I must have walked past it at least twice. I yelped like Homer Simpson. Woo Hoo! Truth is.... I was surprised they had it. Like you, I have not seen a label maker like those in years.

I've been putzing around with the M2F1, and the tiny 1/72 cockpt parts are really testing my dexterity and eyesight!  I had to put it away the other night because I was getting frustrated.

Anyway, a thought occured that I should see if the model would need nose weight.  It seems a common occurrence in the model mags where super competent modelers find out only at the end that they have a tailsitter.  The M2F1 has no open nose wheel well to jam a lead weight into, so to check the balance point I taped on as much of the loose parts as possible to the fuselage  and set it on a metal shaft located where the main gear slots in.

https://flic.kr/p/2bWPd1W][/url]M2F1-27 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

It balances, but just barely.  Tip the fuselage back and...

https://flic.kr/p/2ahjM2W][/url]M2F1-28 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

Even though the model will have a strong nose-down attitude when sitting on its gear, I'll put in some extra insurance by gluing lead birdshot under the floor mounted instrument pallet.

Real G>  Glad to see the lifting body has a nice CG.  Looks like you've got it under control, and gluing some shot in the nose will give you some assurance of a proper angle of attack.  

I added some weight to a 262 model by sticking individual pieces of shot into the nose until I got it to sit correctly, them removed them, taped them into strips and then glued that into the forward section.  Kept the weights in place without rattling around until the glue dried.

Gary

Today in Space History:

1998 November 20 - . 06:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC81/23. LV Family: Proton. Launch Vehicle: Proton-K.

• Zarya - . Payload: FGB 77KM s/n 175-01. Mass: 20,000 kg (44,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Manufacturer: Chelomei bureau. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned space station. Spacecraft Bus: ISS. Spacecraft: ISS Zarya. USAF Sat Cat: 25544 . COSPAR: 1998-067A. Apogee: 403 km (250 mi). Perigee: 374 km (232 mi). Inclination: 51.6000 deg. Period: 92.30 min.

  This was the first launch in the assembly of the International Space Station. The Zarya FGB was funded by NASA and built by Khrunichev in Moscow under subcontract from Boeing for NASA. Its design from the TKS military station resupply spacecraft of the 1970s and the later 77KS Mir modules. Zarya included a multiple docking adapter, a pressurised cabin section, and a propulsion/instrument section with a rear docking port. Initial orbit was 176 lm x 343 km x 51.6 degrees. By November 25 it had manoeuvred to a 383 km x 396 km x 51.7 degree orbit, awaiting the launch of Shuttle mission STS-88 which docked the Unity node to it.

GAF; I am thinking of something like the X-15 from the old Monogram serirs in 1/72 and perhaps one of the Gemeni capsuls too...

Bakster; Thanks for the tip regarding the tape. I see it is progressing well and looking nice. Those rivets will really add another level of detail too. 

PFJN>  Looks good!  I like your choice for the colors. It is really coming along. I also wondered how you would do the windows? Will they be cut out or be painted on? 

RealG; Every time I look at your build I think of the 6 million dollar man TV series introduction . It was good that you caught the tail heavy prognosis and nice save. It is really looking nice too...

GREAT BUILDS EVERYONE!

I'm lovin it....

Ben

Hi,

Thanks.   I'm not fully sure yet what will work best  for the windows, so I will probably try a few different ideas.  One thought is to try building them up from a thin 3D printed frame (that I can bend) and some sort of backing (like a cut piece of vinyl or a burnished strip of styrene).

Hopefully I can post some images to better explain later this weekend.

PF 

Ben>  That would be great!  I know our local hobby shop has one of the old Monogram B-52s with X-15.  I haven't got the courage to ask about a price. 

PFJN>  Nice idea. I would probably go with some thin card stock and cut out the windows with a sharp exacto knife.  Perhaps some thin plastic for frames.  Will be interesting to see what you come up with!

Want to wish everyone in the states a Happy Thanksgiving!  Freeze dried meals are in the storage locker.  Just add water.  Yum! 

Gary

Today in Space History:

1960 November 21 - . LV Family: Redstone. Launch Vehicle: Redstone MRLV.

• An attempt was made to launch Mercury-Redstone 1 (MR-1) from Cape Canaveral. - . Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Spacecraft: Mercury, Mercury Escape Tower.

• This unmanned mission was unsuccessful because premature cut-off of the launch vehicle engines activated the emergency escape system when the vehicle was only about 1 inch off the pad. Engine cut-off was caused by premature loss of electrical ground power to the booster. The launch vehicle settled back on the pad with only slight damage. Since the spacecraft received a cut-off signal, the escape tower and recovery sequence was initiated. The undamaged spacecraft was recovered for reuse.

PF,

Tester, I believe, make a window glue that also does well for making windows. You can give that a try.

modelcrazy

PF,

Tester, I believe, make a window glue that also does well for making windows. You can give that a try.

Steve>  Thanks for reminding me!  I have a bottle of that stuff I've never opened.  I may give that a try on the Apollo Command Module windows. 

Gary

Rivet work is done. I have final touchups to do and PE to add, but primer is in the near future.

Oh--there is one rivet you can't see in this image. It's the one in my finger when the needle slipped. LOL. 

Bakster, that looks like some accurate painstaking work

modelcrazy

Bakster, that looks like some accurate painstaking work

 

Bakster> That looks great, but very tedious!  That's a lot of rivets!  We'll have to come up with an award for injury in the performance of duty... something like the "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate".  

Gary

GAF

Bakster> That looks great, but very tedious!  That's a lot of rivets!  We'll have to come up with an award for injury in the performance of duty... something like the "Flying Fickle Finger of Fate".  

Gary

 

That is a hoot about the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate! Well then, I am in good standing for the award! What you don't know is that in preparation for the capsule hatches, before the start of this GB, I was researching if I could cut holes in PE. I documented what happened in my Icarus WIP. The test piece of PE balled up into a spinning blade of death slicing up my fingers magnificently. It was a bloody mess. No worries though. I applied some CA to the wounds and all has healed nicely. Space modeling is dangerous business! Lol.

Bakster,

That is a keen observation regarding the flattened needle!  I’m gonna steal that idea if you don’t mind!  

Real G

Bakster,

That is a keen observation regarding the flattened needle!  I’m gonna steal that idea if you don’t mind!  

 

Nice Bakster,.... really nice,..... on both counts (the rivets and your finger) 

Ben

DRUMS01

Nice Bakster,.... and your finger) 

 

Ben

 

Hope everyone in the states enjoyed their holiday!  I definitely ate too much, but it was nice being around friends and family. 

Bakster> Aside from the occasional mishaps, as long as your fingers remain attached, it's all good. 

Project Report:

I am happy to report the base for the model has been successfully assembled.  The base is the section below the folding doors, as shown in this image.

I had some concerns about how well I could fashion the two halves into a round shape, but with some clips, tape, Tenax and some reinforcing strips, I managed to get it into a nice even circle.

She now doesn't need tape, and all that's left is to sand down and fill some rough spots and add details.

The LES is getting close to assembly, and the boost protective cover needs some final polishing and coating to smooth it out.  Meanwhile, detailing the exhaust nozzle skirt is about done, and I only need to glue the parts together to finish.

And in a stroke of good fortune, while browsing the school supply section of the local dollar store, I ran across a set of four plastic mechanical pencils.  Now I don't need the mechanical pencils, but the tips will make perfect exhaust nozzles for the LES!  And they were only $1.50 for the pack, so I figured it would be easier to use them than try to make them.  I'm so pleased with them that I think the next time I'm in there I will pick up another pack or two.  I have plans for another 1/96th scale model that will need a LES, so cutting them closer to the tip will work just as well. 

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1972 November 23 - . 06:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC110L. LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N-1 11A52. FAILURE: Failure. Failed Stage: 1.

• N1 7L - . Payload: Soyuz 7K-LOK / LK Mockups. Mass: 9,850 kg (21,710 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN. Program: Lunar L3. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-LOK. Decay Date: 1972-11-23 . Apogee: 40 km (24 mi).

• Unmanned test of manned lunar mission launch vehicle serial number 7L. This article incorporated significant changes to the previous model, including roll 'steering' engines to prevent the loss of control that destroyed 6L. The rocket ascended into the sky, and the engines ran 106.93 seconds, only seven seconds before completion of first stage burnout. Programmed shutdown of some engines to prevent overstressing of the structure led to propellant line hammering, rupture of propellant lines, and an explosion of engine number 4. The vehicle disintegrated.

2015 November 23 - . 17:21 GMT - . Launch Site: Blue Origin. Launch Vehicle: New Shepard.

• New Shepard CC - . Nation: USA. Type: Test. Apogee: 101 km (62 mi).

 Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle carried its prototype crew capsule to 100.5 km altitude, the booster reaching 100.4 km. The booster was recovered in a controlled vertical rocket landing, the first such successful landing on the Earth's surface following an exoatmospheric flight. The crew capsule landed nearby on a parachute.

GAF

Bakster> Aside from the occasional mishaps, as long as your fingers remain attached, it's all good. 

Yes, About 4 years ago I was setting up a new RC biplane with an electric motor. I didn't know it at the time but the electronic throttle was reversed. I had everything connected for final bench tests, turned on the radio and the motor come on full throttle. The model, which was on my workbench, headed streight for me. I raised my hand to protect my face and the 13 inch prop just about severed my right thumb at the nail. My thumbnail still doesen't grow properly. At least I still have a thumb.

modelcrazy

 

Yes, About 4 years ago I was setting up a new RC biplane with an electric motor. I didn't know it at the time but the electronic throttle was reversed. I had everything connected for final bench tests, turned on the radio and the motor come on full throttle. The model, which was on my workbench, headed streight for me. I raised my hand to protect my face and the 13 inch prop just about severed my right thumb at the nail. My thumbnail still doesen't grow properly. At least I still have a thumb.

 

GAF

Project Report: I am happy to report the base for the model has been successfully assembled.  The base is the section below the folding doors, as shown in this image.

Hey Gary, nice progress on the base. And hey, nice score on the mechanical pencils! One never knows where we'll find the next part for a model. 

I went to a craft store today and picked up a wooden base for my Redstone. It's  unfinished wood, but the price was right at $1.05. Speaking of my Redstone. I gave it a final wash today and tomorrow I will spray the primer. If time permits I will work on the wooden base too.

Slow, but sure.

Update: The rocket tube has been primed. In doing so I found one area that needed more filler. Out came the Bondo Spot Putty. The affected area has been sanded and it's ready for another pass of primer. I will try to do that later.

In the meantime, I have been working on the base.

Below: This piece is part of the launch stand. I used superglue to set the screw in place. Later, I will fill that section with epoxy for extra strength. The dimpled surface is from my grinding it. I wanted to give the epoxy something to bite into.

Below: This image gives you a better idea of what I am going after. The launch stand will be secured via the screw, through the wood base, with a hex nut drawn up from below.

If anyone has advice on how to pretty up the wood base--please do tell. I don't know much about wood working. I'd like it be a dark cherry sort of color. I assume that I look for a stain like that? Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks all.

Yes, a stain will do it. If you want a glossy finish then use steel wool to knock down any roughness prior to adding the finish.