Thanks for the support, guys!  I hope Scott and Mach71 can get those seams filled satisfactorily.  I know how difficult it is.

Progress Report:

I am happy to say that the decals have worked out very well this time.  I did what I had planned and wet only the back of the decals.  Once they were loose, I wet the surface of the CM and slid the decals on.  With some minor adjustment, they snugged down fairly well.  The dullcoat held up, and I didn't get the fronts wet.  Both sides of the CM decals are on and I will probably give the model an overall spray of dullcoat to help blend the decals in.

I've got the sign for the base attached.  Although you can't see it, the top of the base has some additional seams drawn on.  The model base SLA is having a few pieces of detail redone.  If you look closely at the included photos, you might be able to see the boots on the bottom of the LES legs where they attach to the Boost Protective cover.  Also, I've touched up the top of the parachute area and the LM connection.

Detailing continues, and I have the stencils for the LES cannards ready and being prepped as I did for the CM decals.  They are tiny, but will add some flavor to the bland white.

I've also decided to paint up one of the kit astronauts to give some scale to it all.  I'm thinking it's only a matter of hours till launch.

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1958 April 25 - . LV Family: Thor, Titan. Launch Vehicle: Thor Able, Titan C.

• USAF goal to to "...land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth". - . Spacecraft: Man-In-Space-Soonest, Lunex.

  The Air Force Ballistic Missile Division published the development plan for an Air Force Manned Military Space Systems Program. The objective was to ". achieve an early capability to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. The program represented a reasonable level of accomplishment with a minimum of time and money and called for start of a high priority program (similar to that enjoyed by ballistic missiles) characterized by "concurrency" and single Air Force agency management. The complete program would be carried out in four phases: first, "Man-In-Space-Soonest," was to determine functional capabilities and limitations of man in space by means of earth orbital flights--beginning with an instrumented 2,900 pound re-entry body, then a primate passenger and, finally, a manned capsule. The second, designated "Man-In-Space-Sophisticated," would use a drag type 3, 200 pound re-entry vehicle, capable of a 14 day manned space flight. This device would be used for earth orbital flight only but it would perform experiments essential to the final phase of the lunar program. The third phase, "Lunar Reconnaissance," would explore the moon by television camera and by means of a soft landing of an instrumented package on the moonIs surface. The final phase of the projected program was "Manned Lunar Landing and Return, " which would first test equipment by circumlunar flights returning to earth with instrumented capsules containing animals. At this stage of project development payload capacity would be increased to 9,000 pounds. The spacecraft would then undertake a full scale flight to the moon and safe return to earth with an animal passenger. The climax of the entire project would then be a manned lunar landing, brief surface exploration, and return to earth. This would be followed by other circumlunar flights to fully explore the moon's surface and gather additional physical data. The program was scheduled for completion in December of 1965 at a total estimated cost of $1.5 billion. Program cost estimates were based on use of Air Force rocket hardware and available ground facilities thus eliminating much new development and construction funding. However, new launch vehicle combinations would have to be developed progressing in performance as follows: a Thor-Vanguard second stage, a Thor-fluorine second stage, a "super" Titan with a fluorine-hydrazine second and third stages. Methods of landing involved use of retrorockets to insure a soft landing on the moon and return to earth through re-entry to a predetermined landing area. (USAF Manned Military Space Syst.em Development Plan, 25 Apr 58, prep by AFBMD.)

1961 April 25 - .

• Vice President Johnson made head of the National Aeronautics and Space Council. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Johnson, Lyndon, Kennedy. President Kennedy signed legislation making the Vice President of the United States the presiding officer of the National Aeronautics and Space Council..

Gary: Wow, you're almost there! Nice work, I like the astronaut. A figure always helps to show scale.

Scott: Hang in there. I know what you mean- this astronaut I'm building has about a jillion seams. I'm maybe about 75% on filling and sanding all of them at this point. I'm wondering if I should have just built the friggin' Buran... 

Gary the Apollo looks great!

Nice work there! The small details like the boots really add to the build.

Back at the workbench today!

I got a coat of flat white and olive drab on the V2:

Gordo's Mercury is getting close. More work on the retro pack:

I painted the retro straps and started final assembly on them. I could not find part 105, the pin that holds the 3 straps to the retropack. No worries, I found a small screw that works even better!

The next thing is the capsule/retro connectors then the capsule will be completed! (I think)

Hey Mach--with these latest photos I am able to really appreciate the work you are doing with paint. You are putting down some nice finishes. That capsule looks awesome. The paint looks very much like painted or anodized metal. Your V2 is looking good too. 

Very nice work sir.  

Kudos to you too, Gary. It is looking good!

Bakster

Hey Mach--with these latest photos I am able to really appreciate the work you are doing with paint. You are putting down some nice finishes. That capsule looks awesome. The paint looks very much like painted or anodized metal. Your V2 is looking good too. 

Very nice work sir.  

 

Thank you very much, but it's the Tamiya lacquer. Great paint. 

Gamera>  Thanks!  Yes, the astronaut is one of those things I decided to add at the last.  It will give a sense of scale to the model, though I will probably only display it with the LM.

Good luck with your astronaut!  I can understand about seams, especially on a pessure suit like that.

Mach71>  I really like the Mercury capsule.  It's going to look great!  I don't think I've seen a V2 in that paint scheme, so looking forward to that.

Update:

Not much to report on my end.  I got some dullcoat sprayed onto the decals and that did help, though not as much as I had hoped.  I'll just have to live with it.  The stencils on the LES were applied and they do help add some interest to an otherwise plain white surface.  I really need to come up with some more to help break up the monotony.

The model is now essentially finished, though I'm going to keep working on it detail wise, and finish up the astronaut figure.  This weekend should see it ready for rolling out on the pad (I hope).

Gary

Today in Space History:

1961 April 26 - .

• Dyna-Soar system package program. - . Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Dynasoar.

  The Dyna-Soar program office completed a system package program, further elaborating the three-step approach. Under Step 1, 20 air-launch tests would not begin until January 1964 and overlap with the beginning of space launches. The first of two unmanned launches would take place in August 1964, followed by 12 manned suborbital launches atop a Titan 2 beginning in April 1965, which would extend the speed envelope gradually from 4.9 km/s to 6.7 km/s. Step 2A would be completed with a single orbital flight from Cape Canaveral to Edwards Air Force Base in April 1966. The interim operational vehicle, capable of reconnaissance, satellite inspection, space logistics missions, and bombing, would be available in October 1967. The complete weapons system, including space-to-earth and space-to-space missiles, would become operational in late 1971.

1971 April 26 - .

• Quarantine for crew members who would go to the moon on future Apollo flights was discontinued - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Low, George. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 15.

  Acting NASA Administrator George M. Low discontinued the quarantine for future Apollo flights to the moon beginning with the Apollo 15 mission. The decision was based on a recommendation of the Interagency Committee on Back Contamination (ICBC). The ICBC would continue as an active body, however, at least until the results of the last Apollo lunar mission were reviewed. Biomedical characterization of returned lunar samples would also be continued.

mach71

Thank you very much, but it's the Tamiya lacquer. Great pain

The last (I think) parts were attached today! 

The electrical plugs from the retro straps to the capsule.

The "wire" from the strap to the plug required a bit of work, I still need to do some touch up paint but I think Gordo's ship is done!

I'll get some photos of the whole thing up on Monday.

Overall I'm very happy with how this came out, Some things could be done better and if I was doing it again there are a few things I would do differently.

Some more painting on the V2:

There is not much left on the V2 as well. Some touch up paint and I think thats it.

I'll let the paint sit for a bit.

I might call this one done monday also.

Both are looking very cool, Mach. 

Thanks.

Mach71>  Those are excellant!  Hope to see some final shots this Monday.  Impressive to finish up two at once.

My own work on "The Apollo" model is done.  I've added a couple of final stencils to access doors, and one more to the hatch.  I still have to do the astronaut figure, but that's something extra.  I'll finish him up as I start on some other minor things I had planned to do after this one (a Redstone, Atlas-Mercury and Titan-Gemini).

Hope everyone else is doing okay as we enter the final months of this group build.

Gary

Today In Space History:

1959 April 27 - .

• Project Mercury astronauts reported for duty - . Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Mercury.

  The seven Project Mercury astronauts reported for duty. A tentative schedule of Mercury astronaut activities for the first months of training was issued. Actual training began the next day. Within 3 months the astronauts were acquainted with the various facets of the Mercury program. The first training week was as follows: Monday, April 27, check in; April 28, general briefing; April 29, spacecraft configuration and escape methods; April 30, support and restraint; May 1, operational concepts and procedures. These lectures were presented by specialists in the particular field of study. Besides the above, unscheduled activities involved 3 hours flying time and 4 hours of athletics.

1967 April 27 - . 04:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Fort Churchill. LV Family: Black Brant. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant VB.

• Test / ionosphere / plasma mission - . Nation: Canada. Agency: NRCC. Apogee: 398 km (247 mi).

1967 April 27 - . 04:31 GMT - . Launch Site: Woomera. Launch Complex: Woomera LA2. Launch Pad: LA2 SL. LV Family: Skylark. Launch Vehicle: Skylark 3 AC.

• Test mission - . Nation: Australia. Agency: Royal Aerospace Establishment, WRE. Apogee: 203 km (126 mi).

1972 April 27 - .

• Landing of Apollo 16 - . Return Crew: Duke, Mattingly, Young. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Duke, Mattingly, Young. Program: Apollo. Flight: Apollo 16.

  Entry and landing were normal, completing a 265-hour 51-minute mission. The command module was viewed on television while dropping on the drogue parachutes, and continuous coverage was provided through crew recovery. Splashdown was at 2:45 p.m. EST (19:45 GMT) in mid-Pacific, 5 kilometers from the recovery ship U.S.S. Ticonderoga. All primary mission objectives had been achieved.

Superb work Mach.

Everything is sanded and the Saturn is ready for primer. I now need the weather to cooperate. Its too big to paint in my workshop.

scottrc

I now need the weather to cooperate. Its too big to paint in my workshop.

I hear you about the weather, Scott. We had snow yesterday. Pert near May, and we are still getting snow. Anyway, your Saturn looks good!

Update: You may recall that I was striving for a crackled desert look. Though my dio is based on the movie, The Right Stuff-- it will be based loosely so. In the movie the desert does not have that appearance. I am striving for it because I think it will be a cool effect.

Little did I know that getting there is a big journey. Wide are the various products and ways to achieve this, but narrow is the door to get what I am looking for. I am getting there though.

Below: Here are various tests that I ran. These are not my first. Like I said, it's been a journey. There are two things I am striving for: The first is getting a decent scale to the pattern. The second is to get a pattern in keeping with what nature kicks out. I feel like I am getting close. 

Some things that I learned:

1. It is imperative that the base be primed for crackle paste to work best. If you don't prime, the crackle will curl up off the base, paint and all. That could be an affect you are striving for though because nature produces that too. But, for my build, it is not what I want. The primer that I used is, Gesso. This gives a solid base for the crackle to stick to.

2. The size of the patterns are directly proportional to the thickness of the crackle applied. The thinner you apply it, the smaller the pattern. The reverse is true if you apply it thick. I need to go thin in order to keep it in scale. And let me tell you, it is not an easy thing to do. You need to work fast with this stuff and it is not all that easy to minimize ridges. Along with that they recommend not reworking the same areas too much. This can affect how the crackle works. In that case--the potential is no crackle at all. Yesterday, I purchased a wide plastic drywall knife. This works pretty well because I can get large swaths, reducing the number of ridges.

Today I coated the base with Gesso. I should get the crackle applied this week. Oh, and by the way, Gary. This project will probably use up the remaining time left with this GB. I am optimistic I'll finish it in the allotted time. 

There you go... probably more than you'd want to know about Crackle. 

See, this is why I love the forum, things I never though of is tried, proof of concept done and shared, fails and successes. It never occured to me to crackel a desert floor . There are several techniques over the years that have never occured to me as well as things I thought of and shared with others.

Your desert is going to look great. 

Scott, nice job on the SV.

Mach, the capsule and V2 are looking surpurb.

Gary, the CM is really comming along, I nice job on the base.

Sorry I've been scarce. The last push at work before quitting and moving back to Boise at the end of this week. A long drive home then settling in and getting my workbench set up, after I replace the flooring in the hobby room. I may be scarce for a wee longer.

Scottrc>  The SV looks like it will turn out nice!  Hope the weather clears up enough for some painting.  The last few days have been really great here, though the temperatures are beginning to creep up.  We'll see mid-80s this week.

Bakster>  The Crackle seems to be a good representation of a dry lake bed.  I think it will be great with the X-1 sitting on it.  Don't worry about the time.  Still got about 2 1/2 months.

Steve>  Don't worry about it, just glad you're doing okay.  Hope the move back to Boise goes well and you can get back to the bench. 

Update: The model is done.  I got a couple of minor things touched up and fixed today (including gluing one of the Service Module RCS nozzles back on after knocking it off).

At the moment, I'm just considering what the best way to photograph the model will be.  I have this National Geographic moon poster I am considering as a background, or the plain black board I've used before.  I will do a little experimenting and try posting the final results tomorrow evening.  I'm sure glad this one is finished (after 50 years)!

Gary

Today In Space History:

1961 April 28 - . 14:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island LA4. Launch Vehicle: Little Joe 1.

• Mercury LJ-5B - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Spacecraft: Mercury. Apogee: 4.00 km (2.40 mi).

  Little Joe 5B (LJ-5B) was launched from Wallops Island to test the Mercury escape system under maximum dynamic pressure conditions. At the time of lift-off, one of the launch vehicle rocket motors did not ignite until after 4 seconds had elapsed. This delay caused the launch vehicle to pitch into a lower trajectory than had been planned, with a result that the abort maneuver experienced greater dynamic pressures than had been specified in the flight test plan. Other than this, all other sequential systems operated according to plan, and after landing, a normal helicopter recovery was accomplished. Thus, all test objectives were met and were actually exceeded because the spacecraft withstood the higher dynamic pressures.

1963 April 28 - . LV Family: N1. Launch Vehicle: N1 1964.

• N1 Plans - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: L3-1963, OS-1 (1965), TMK-1.

  An Inter-Institution Soviet considers Korolev's N1 plans. He believes the first booster will be launched in 1965. The N1 is to have a payload capability of 75 tonnes to a 250 km altitude orbit, 50 tonnes to a 3000 km altitude orbit, and 16 tonnes in geostationary orbit. It could launch spacecraft capable of landing men on the moon and returning them to earth, or manned flybys of Mars or Venus. Three to ten launches would be needed for such missions, with the components being docked together in low earth orbit. The N1 can also be used to launch a large space station for military research. After the N1 discussion a decision is made that cosmonauts will not have to spend more than three to four days in a spacecraft mock-up on the ground to prove their readiness for flight. A simulation of the entire flight duration is not necessary.

1967 April 28 - .

• The McDonnell Company and Douglas Aircraft Company merged to form McDonnell Douglas Corporation. - . Nation: USA.

Scottrc the Saturn is looking good! I hope the weather lets you get some paint on it soon.

Bakster the crakle is looking very realistic. It will really add to XS-1.

Have a safe move Steve, It's a real pain to move.

Gary, glad to hear your just about done. 

Like you I'm basically done. I think I got all the little details cleaned up tonight.

Also like you I'm trying to figure out how to photograph the Mercury. I hope the have some photos up tomorrow.

modelcrazy

See, this is why I love the forum, things I never though of is tried, proof of concept done and shared, fails and successes. It never occured to me to crackel a desert floor . There are several techniques over the years that have never occured to me as well as things I thought of and shared with others. Your desert is going to look great. 

Thanks Steve. I agree about the sharing of concepts, fails, and successes. I glean knowledge from others, and this is why I like to share the stuff I try too. We all grow in the hobby by sharing what we do. Good ideas, bad ideas, there is always something to learn from them. 

Good luck with the move, and the remodeling, Steve. Thanks to everyone else for their comments as well! Fingers are crossed as I move forward. 

There is probably more I could do, but I think I'm ready to call these done!

Mach71: Great job there on Faith 7!!! Looking forward to the beauty shots. And the V-2 don't look too shabby either! 

Scott: Looks good! Good luck with the weather. 

Bakster: The crackle looks nice, looking forward to seeing the finished results. 

Gary: Sounds cool, looking forward to more photos. 

PS: Mach71: Looks awesome!!! You posted the beauty shots while I was posting this... 

And forgot to say good luck with the move Steve. So glad to hear the operation went as well as it did.

Hey Mach!  Congrats!  They both look great!  I like how you photographed them too. That is a cool backdrop to have them photographed against.  Good thinking on that.

Mach71>  Great builds and a superb finish!  Both models turned out great, and I love your background poster.  I've chosen two of the photos of the Mercury and V2 for inclusion on the first page.  In recognition of achieving the goal of finishing two models at once, here's your Senior Astronaut Modeler badge.  Well done!

GAF

Final Project Report:  April 29th, 2019

The Apollo model is finished.  All components have been checked out and final mission directives have been finalized.  After 7 months of sometimes unbelievable frustrations, she stands ready on the pad for launch.  T-Minus 10 seconds and counting... 

Mission Director (GAF)

Individual Modules:

And I finally get my wings!

Mission Director (GAF)

Gary: Wow, looks awesome!!!

Hey Gary, that looks really cool! Congrats! Mission accomplished! You guys put a lot of work into your builds. Well done.

Great work Gary! Boy there is not much space when both spacecraft are mated for launch!

I love the look.

Thanks for my wings, and everyone for the kind words. 

I have an Idea for a 3rd build, but I'm not sure I can get it done by July 20. I know I can by Apollo 12's date, It's a golden opportunity (hint) for a kind of kit I haven't built in over 20 years. I'll try with Mission Control's permission!

Thanks, everyone!  She's a keeper (as I'm not sure I'll ever get another kit). 

Mach71>  Well, I say go for it, as long as it's related to space exploration in some way.  (I count the V2 as it was the first man-made object to reach "space".)  I have some minor missles from AMT's Man In Space set I'm redoing, so I'll be adding those to the build log.  As long as you get the project started, we'll find funding to keep her going after the cut-off date!

Oh, as a remind for everyone, you might want to add your project builds to the "Space" thread.  It needs some love.  I'm working on a write-up even now. 

Gary

Today in Space History:

1960 April 29 - . Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.

• All eight H-1 engines of the Saturn C-1 first stage ground-tested simultaneously - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. At Redstone Arsenal, all eight H-1 engines of the first stage of the Saturn C-1 launch vehicle were static-fired simultaneously for the first time and achieved 1.3 million pounds of thrust..

1960 April 29 - .

• Agreements concluded for all overseas Mercury tracking stations - . Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Mercury.

  Construction was proceeding on schedule at Cape Canaveral, Bermuda, Grand Canary Islands, the Woomera and Muchea Australian sites, and at the demonstration site on Wallops Island, Virginia. The survey of Guaymas in Western Mexico completed that phase of the program, but the construction was yet to be accomplished.

1961 April 29 - . Launch Vehicle: Saturn I.

• Saturn I fight qualification. - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. The first successful flight qualification test of the Saturn SA-1 booster took place in an eight-engine test lasting 30 seconds..

1964 April 29 - . 18:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: Delamar Dry Lake DZ. Launch Pad: Edwards RW04/22. Launch Platform: NB-52 003.

• X-15A Opt Deg/Att Indic. Technology/test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA, USAF. Spacecraft: X-15A. Apogee: 31 km (19 mi). Maximum Speed - 6285 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30968 m. Air dropped in Delamar Dry Lake DZ..

Gary, I was just looking at your Apollo again and I just love the "prototype" clean white look! Particularly on the LEM. You really captured the look of the design. Great job.

I also really like the look of your base, It fits the kit perfectly.

I sure wish that was one of the kits Revell was re releasing, It makes a great display.