Bakster: Looks perfect to me!

Gary: Everything looks straight to me, my eyeballs are probably crooked though. Looking really good!

Anyway the astronaut primed. The paint didn't come out that well, I'm going to have to do a lot more sanding...

GAF

Thanks!  The panel turned out better than I had hoped, though it looks like one side is kinda misaligned.  I'll live with it

I didn’t notice it being crooked and I still can’t see it. Looks great to me.

Yeah, cameras play weird tricks. My color comparison didn't look that dark to my eyes. Even the second image does not look correct. Particulary, the top of the wings look a lighter shade, like there isn't enough paint. That too is the camera playing tricks. Weird how they can alter the color of certain parts of an image while other parts are pretty accurate. To the human eye the colors are consistent.

But, your point is well taken because the white primer DID help bring the color together. It  probably would have been too dark, otherwise. 

Bakster>  Thanks!  The panel turned out better than I had hoped, though it looks like one side is kinda misaligned.  I'll live with it.

That X-1 is looking great!  I thought by looking at the color comparison the left one would be too dark, but sprayed over white primer it really gets close to the actual color.  Good job!

As for me, the weather did not cooperate today.  I was hoping for a brief period of dry, sunny weather but it never materialized.  The rest of the week and next seems about the same, and they're actually calling for flash flood conditions.  Gee!

I guess I'll have to just do some detailing work until then.  Plenty to do, though a lot depends on getting the base coat down. 

Gary

PS> I do note that it looks like e-mail notifications are down again. 

If I have my research right... the X1 used FS12246. I found some color swatches on the net and used it as a giude for matching.

I used Tamiya orange (X-6) as the base and drop by drop added red until I got the shade I wanted as shown on the left.

The paint covered the white primer well. I did have a mishap where the plane bumped my hand spoiling a near perfect spray job. I'll wait until the paint fully dries, wet sand, then touch up the area. Not a big deal, just an irritation. Overall, I am very pleased with how it came out.

I will probably begin work on the landing gear whilst I wait for the paint to cure.

Hey Gary, that console looks fantastic. Printing them worked well. Nice work on the internals too and I can't wait to see the astronauts full painted...  

Gamera>  Good luck with the paint!  I need to pick up another can of gray primer to finish up the base.

Project Report:

I've finished detailing the interior of the Command Module having applied the printed images to the control panel and interior panels.  I used Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue and cut panels to fit (as the interior doesn't match the actual shape of the real Command Module.  But they look okay.  I cut out some pieces of thick paper to use as a canvas covering for the couches, and some plastic for pillows.  Not sure about painting the pillows tan to match the canvas color.  A few pieces of plastic take the place of actual instruments, and some plastic rod and square pieces were fashioned into control arms, while the heads of a couple of pins were cut to make the joysticks (you can just make them out on either side of the astronaut figure on the couch arms).

  The control panel is ready to be installed, but on hold until the astronaut figures are finished.  I'm considering making the helmets look more like the block one spacesuits which had "blast shields".  A picture you don't see much of.

Detailing still ongoing for various parts.  If the weather is okay tomorrow, I'll try getting some final paint spray done.  Keeping our fingers crossed!

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1957 February 15 - . Launch Vehicle: R-7.

• Decision to build Sputnik 1 due to delays in Sputnik 3 design. - . Nation: Russia. Spacecraft: Sputnik 1. Council of Soviet Ministers (SM) Decree 171-83ss 'On Measures to Carry Out During the International Geophysical Year.--Launch of simple satellites in mid-1957' was issued.

1961 February 15 - 

• James E. Webb sworn in as Administrator of NASA. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Glennan, Webb. After his nomination by the President as Administrator of NASA on January 30, 1961, James E. Webb was sworn into office, replacing T. Keith Glennan.

1974 February 15 - .

• X-24 Flight 36 - . Crew: Love, Michael. Payload: X-24B flight 8. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Love, Michael. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Spacecraft Bus: X-24. Spacecraft: X-24B. Maximum Speed - 724 kph. Maximum Altitude - 13720 m. Flight Time - 307 sec..

Thanks guys, I haven't thought about warming the can. Will give that a try. I pulled the nozzel off both cans and gave both the tube from the can and the nozzel a good squirt of thinner and left them overnight- crossing my fingers. 

Thankfully it's not that big an issue with me, I don't use rattle cans except in stuff like this without a lot of surface detailing. 

Gary: Sounds good, looking forward to the photos! 

Gamera>  As Bakster says, you might try soaking the can in hot water (at least the top), but once paint drys in that little tube I have to say it's toast.  I've not had much problem with rattle cans stopping up unless I let one sit for months after use.  Glad to hear you've reached the primer stage with the astronaut!

Managed to get the printed images for the control panel glued on last night, and started adding a few details to the interior (such as joysticks on the couch arms).  I should have the interior together tonight and I'll post some pictures.  Meanwhile, I need to get to Hobby Lobby for some things.

Gary

Gamera

Well, I primed my astronaut last night. With two spray cans of white paint. The first one gummed up halfway though. And it's almost full of paint. I've been turning cans upside down when done and spraying 'clean' propellent to clear out the nozzel but still I can't seem to use a whole can without the blasted thing gumming up. Any advice anyone??? 

Gam--  that sucks, man. I don't have enough experience with rattle cans to give you any good advice. And when I do use it, I decant it, and thus far only with Tamiya. You are probably already doing this but I soak the can in warm water before decanting to help with flow. Thus far, I have had zero issues using a can that was previously sprayed. And BTW--I don't even do the upside-down thing. I wipe the nozzle with lacquer thinner after use and that's it. Maybe you are losing too much propellent by doing that? Just spit balling here.

Gamera

I might just go over to using the Tamiya white primer for everything. It's way more expensive but as things are going with me getting two or three jobs out of a Kylon can and then it gums up it would be cheaper. 

Yup..  

Well, I primed my astronaut last night. With two spray cans of white paint. The first one gummed up halfway though. And it's almost full of paint. I've been turning cans upside down when done and spraying 'clean' propellent to clear out the nozzel but still I can't seem to use a whole can without the blasted thing gumming up. Any advice anyone??? 

I might just go over to using the Tamiya white primer for everything. It's way more expensive but as things are going with me getting two or three jobs out of a Kylon can and then it gums up it would be cheaper. 

Ben>  You're always welcome here.  Glad to see you got the monitor completed in the Ships of the British Flag GB (run by Modelcrazy here).  Great work all around!

Bakster> Good luck with the paint work!  Not sure what color orange the X-1 was painted.  Must be a spec on it somewhere.

I got the idea for printing out control panels when I built a stuka for Bish's Stuka GB.  I was unhappy with the simple decal supplied, and adding some PE controls to what was essentially a toy (Monogram stuka) seemed like overkill.  That was when I ran across an image of the control panel for a Stuka and decided "Hey!  Why not?"  I copied the image, scaled it in a paint program and printed it out.  Worked great!  If I don't have a great control panel for a model, I will try to find some image to use.

Gary

DRUMS01

I always come back here to this GB just to see how things are goning and visit friends.

Thanks Ben, and it is always good to hear from you... 

Nothing to show here but my X1 is primed, sanded, touched up, and ready for some pumpkin orange. I'll save this task for Saturday when I have more time to tackle it. Giddy up! 

Bakster, The whit looks like it covered well and laid evenly. It will look real nice with the orange over it. That, along with your wonderful interior will make this look real.

ScottRC, Your Estes Apollo is growing up and looking good.

GAF, Nice idea for the command module control panels. I am looking forward to seeing it applied.

Keep up the fantastic work, I always come back here to this GB just to see how things are goning and visit friends.

Ben

Scott: Sorry, I had no idea about the thermal batting... 

Gary: She's coming right along. 

GAF

I've printed out an image of the control panels for the Command Module as work continues on the interior.  This will look a whole lot better than any attempt by me to paint all those small knobs and dials.

Gary, I like your idea to print them. I can appreciate why you are. 

Looking good.

Scottrc>  You're welcome.  Most people don't know the engines were not bare on liftoff.

Progress Report:

 I've printed out an image of the control panels for the Command Module as work continues on the interior.  This will look a whole lot better than any attempt by me to paint all those small knobs and dials.

Also, the LM is getting its black thermal paint on the lower stage.  The top is awaiting another coat of white, then I'll finish painting up the black around the windows and attach the antennas.

Other small things ongoing, but nothing near completion yet.  It's down to finishing up small items.  I intend to paint the landing legs silver, but am considering covering them with aluminum foil.  I think it would look better, but is it worth the effort?  We'll see.

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1961 February 12 - . 00:34 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78.

• Venera 1 - . Payload: 1VA s/n 2, Venera 1 (Sputnik 8, AMS). Mass: 644 kg (1,419 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Korolev. Agency: RVSN. Program: Venera. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft Bus: 1MV. Spacecraft: Venera 1VA. USAF Sat Cat: 80 . COSPAR: 1961-Gamma-1.

• Venera 1 was the first spacecraft to fly by Venus. The 6424 kg assembly was launched first into a 229 x 282 km parking orbit, then boosted toward Venus by the restartable Molniya upper stage. On 19 February, 7 days after launch, at a distance of about two million km from Earth, contact with the spacecraft was lost. On May 19 and 20, 1961, Venera 1 passed within 100,000 km of Venus and entered a heliocentric orbit. This failure resulted in only the following objectives being met: checking of methods of setting space objects on an interplanetary course; checking of extra-long-range communications with and control of the space station; more accurate calculation of the dimension of the solar system; a number of physical investigations in space. 

1963 February 12 - . Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.

• Marion Power Shovel selected to build the Saturn V crawler-transport - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

• NASA selected the Marion Power Shovel Company to design and build the crawler-transport, a device to haul the Apollo space vehicle (Saturn V, complete with spacecraft and associated launch equipment) from the Vertical Assembly Building to the Merritt Island, Fla., launch pad, a distance of about 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles). The crawler would be 39.6 meters (130 feet) long, 35 meters (115 feet) wide, and 6 meters (20 feet) high, and would weight 2.5 million kilograms (5.5 million pounds). NASA planned to buy two crawlers at a cost of $4 to 5 million each. Formal negotiations began on February 20 and the contract was signed on March 29.

Thanks Gary for the reference of the ready for launch of the F1s.

Scottrc> That's looking very good!  It is coming together.  I asked about the tubing because I was going to suggest wrapping the tubes in a thin metallic paper that you can find at Hobby Lobby.  That way you have only one seam to fill and hide.  Not sure about the construction, so I'm shooting in the dark with that one.  I had planned on building a 1/96th scale SV sometime using the old Revell 1/96th Apollo model, so that was what I was planning on using.

As for the F-1s, I'm not sure about the insides, but the outside of the engines on the launch pads were actually covered by a "thermal batting".  You can see some of that in this blog.

http://up-ship.com/blog/?p=304

The insides were probably steel, dark gray color.  You can find some images of the F-1s online to show what the interior colors were.

Hope that will help.

Gary

Thanks guys, I will go with a steel base and then wash with aluminum and silver and see how that turns out.

It is looking fantastic, Scott. Definately looking like a Saturn V.

Scott, I would go with the color on the pad at liftoff. I believe NASA painted them black for the museum. I think Gam has the right idea.

Gary: She's coming along great! And good to hear you've got your heat back! 

Bakster: Whoa, looks great! I agree the white should make the orange 'pop'.

Scott: Wow, that looks great! Maybe paint the nozzels dark steel and drybrush with aluminum or other lighter metallic to bring out the details? 

Estes Saturn V progress report:

I got some more work done over the weekend and added most of the vacu-formed wraps. These intimidate me ever since I attempted to build a vacu-formed airplane some 35 years ago.  But that experience paid off in that I was able to get them cut out in a reasonable scale fashion. These wraps are attached with spray on contact adhesive and I must had gotten a hundred different types and brands suggested to me off the internet.  I ended up using Elmers E451 Spray On Adhesive and its an interesting process to say the least.  If its let to set over 10 minutes, then it will grab and won't let go, making it impossible to reposition, and remember, I'm forming it over a round surface and need to have it align to features on a lower wrap. Getting the wraps positioned and stuck down felt like landing on the moon LOL.  The soft skinned body tube would flex and go oblonged if too much pressure was applied with pulling the wrap into position, adding to the stress, but overall, they are turning out ok.  A lot of filling and blending is going to be needed, all the time worrying about weight and balance.  

I still have the lower stage one wraps to put on. I thought these needed to be positioned and attached as I attach the fin farings and fins. 

 Gary- Yes, the Estes tubes will require filling of the helicals.  I thought to wait and do all the filling at once using a combo of putty and filler primers.

Its begining to look like a Saturn V now.

I got the F-1s assembled.  I need some help with the actual coloring of these.  Some pictures show them silver, some black, some a variation.  I'm thinking of painting them like jet exhaust nozzels.  Any advice?

GAF

kster>  Nice even coat of white!  I can understand about "white" primer as I'm using a LOT of it.  I think she'll look great with the orange coat.  It should really pop over the white.

Thanks, Gary. And glad to hear that you have heat again!

modelcrazy

I bought some Saturday and am eager to give it a try.

 

Sounds good, Steve

Bakster>  Nice even coat of white!  I can understand about "white" primer as I'm using a LOT of it.  I think she'll look great with the orange coat.  It should really pop over the white.

My heat has been restored, thank goodness!  I didn't get much done this weekend.  Legs have been giving me problems and I'm a bit worried about my circulation.  Hate sitting for hours while working, so I've tried to stop doing that for long periods.  I guess I need a desk I can stand at.

I did manage to sand down the lips on the folding doors so the Service Module sits a bit better on top.  I also attached the hi gain antenna to the SM, though I did break off a piece I had scratch-built on the antenna to make it look closer to the real one.  Well, I'll replace that later.  At the moment, the folding doors are drying after I glued 3 of them together and taped them in place.  I'll leave one in front loose so the LM can be displayed.  With some nice weather this week, I may get the LM painted up.  Detail colors are being considered.  That's about it for now.  Just thinking about the next steps to complete, as she's getting closer and closer to finishing.

Gary

Today in Space History:

1959 February 10 - .

• Wind tunnel tests of Project Mercury configuration models were started. - . Nation: USA. Program: Mercury. Spacecraft: Mercury. By the end of the year, over 70 different models had been tested by facilities at the Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center and the NASA Langley, Ames, and Lewis Research Centers.

1961 February 10 - .

• Voice message sent by way of the moon - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo.

• A voice message was sent from Washington, D.C., to Woomera, Australia, by way of the moon. NASA Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden spoke by telephone to Goldstone, Calif., which "bounced" it to the deep-space instrumentation station at Woomera. The operation was conducted as part of the official opening ceremony of the Australian facility.

I bought some Saturday and am eager to give it a try.

Hey Steve, I want you to know that the Tamiya Liquid Primer doesn’t show though the primer. In other words, it did a great job filling minor imperfections, smoothing filler work, and it’s feathering properties is the real deal. I have used various fillers that seemed properly feathered up until I applied a primer or color coat. Then, the ridges showed. I am really impressed with this stuff. Thought I’d let you know.

Two of the hardest colors, white and yellow .