Gary, that looks cool! Are you going with a dark base to accent the white of the capsule?

Thanks, guys!  Glad you enjoy the space history stuff.  I thought it adds a bit of flavor to the thread.  And definitely check out the "Riding Rockets" book, if you can find a copy.

Don't have much to report.  I didn't get more painting done as I had hoped, but I did go out to find a color I needed at the local hobby shop.  Vallejo paint had something close.

While waiting and working on other stuff, I started the base for the model, which consists of a square styrofoam core which I am covering with matte board.  You can see it here and the preliminary mockup of my hoped for final assembly.

I hope to have some sort of tag / label for it in addition to the NASA badge.  If I had an "Apollo" badge for the other side, I would be happier.  I would like to paint the base like the Crawler, but not sure if I can do that well enough.

One thing I did decide upon is a paint scheme for the LM!  While browsing scenes from "Apollo 13" I watched the one where Lovell is explaining to his son about how they will land on the moon, and the model on his son's table is the exact same one I'm working on!  There is a nice shot of the Revell LM, and the paint scheme was exactly what I was looking for.  Look it up on Youtube if you're curious. 

That's it for now.

Gary

Today in Space History:

1963 January 18 - .

• Contract to Bell for two Apollo lunar landing research vehicles - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. Spacecraft Bus: Apollo LM. Spacecraft: Apollo LLRV.

• NASA's Flight Research Center (FRC) announced the award of a $3.61 million contract to Bell Aerosystems Company of Bell Aerospace Corporation for the design and construction of two manned lunar landing research vehicles. The vehicles would be able to take off and land under their own power, reach an altitude of about 1,220 meters (4,000 feet), hover, and fly horizontally. A fan turbojet engine would supply a constant upward push of five-sixths the weight of the vehicle to simulate the one-sixth gravity of the lunar surface. Tests would be conducted at FRC.

1966 January 18 - .

• Korolev buried in Red Square - . Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Brezhnev, Bykovsky, Gagarin, Komarov, Nikolayev, Popovich, Titov.

• The urn with Korolev's ashes is placed in the Kremlin Wall by an honor guard of cosmonauts and the highest leaders of the state. Kamanin knows that the like of Korolev will not be seen again. There are dozens of Chief Designers, but none with the genius, talent, and drive of Korolev. Kamanin worries for the future in the space race with the Americans. Even in life, Korolev was never able to achieve more than one or two spaceflights per year. Now, in 1966, they are supposed to achieve four times that flight rate without him.

1969 January 18 - .

• Landing of Soyuz 5 - . Return Crew: Volynov. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Belyayev, Brezhnev, Mishin, Volynov. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 4/5, Soyuz 5.

• After Shatalov and Yeliseyev transferred to Soyuz 4, Volynov remained behind to live through the most unbelievable re-entry in the history of spaceflight. The service module of the Soyuz failed to separate after retrofire. Once the Soyuz started reaching the tendrils of the atmosphere, the combined spacecraft sought the most aerodynamically stable position - nose forward, with the heavy descent module with its light metal entry hatch at the front, the less dense service module with its flared base to the back. Luckily the struts between the descent and service modules broke off or burned through before the hatch melted through and the descent module righted itself, with the heat shield to the rear, before being consumed. Due to a failure of the soft-landing rockets the landing was harder than usual and Volynov broke his teeth. The landing came at 7:58 GMT.
  

Gary: Looks good! 

I'll have to check out 'Riding Rockets'. Sounds interesting, thanks!!! 

GAF

Bakster>  Never let reality stand in the way of a good diorama!    Since there's a photo of a hose attached to the Bell X-1E, I say go ahead!  Should be dramatic.

Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it.

Your CM is coming along great. I can't wait to see more paint on it.

Also, I continue to enjoy your space facts. It's very interesting to read the progression towards space.

Bakster>  Never let reality stand in the way of a good diorama!    Since there's a photo of a hose attached to the Bell X-1E, I say go ahead!  Should be dramatic.

Gamera>  Thanks!  I actually touched up the paint on the D-7 today after some fill and sanding.  After a few days to let the touch-up cure, I'll start masking for the second color coat.  Weather permitting!

Ben> I forgot to mention your signature pic!  Nice!  You should grab a Group Build Badge to include with it (if you want). 

Project Report:

Some painting was done today on various items.  The top of the Service Module was painted light grey and the tops of the tanks were painted "Steel".  I'm at a quandry about what color to paint the tubing and conduit.  Steel or yellow?  Not sure, and there's not much info on a standard conbination.  Images vary, or are not very clear.  Decisions, decisions!

I've finished up the High-Gain Antenna for the Service Module and it is awaiting paint and connecting to the Service Module heat shield.  I've also gloss coated the LES and the lower section of the LM Storage Area to help seal the paper parts.  They are about ready for paint.  Still trying to make decisions about the folding doors and whether to glue them together or not.  Trying to think of various options.

Parts for the LM are ready to glue, and she's pretty much awaiting paint.  Another decision to make about the areas to be painted black.  The SM heat shield and engine nozzle are awaiting paint.  If I have a streak of good, warm weather I might actually get some paint work done!  Good luck with that in wintertime!

Meanwhile, I've found some nice image of the panels for the interior of the Command Module.  Unfortunately, my color cartridge for the printer is out of ink, so I need to pick up a new one.  The expense of that may delay printing the panels out, and decals.  Still got a few months, however.  If nothing else, I can always work on the base! 

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1946 January 16 - . Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: White Sands. Launch Vehicle: V-2.

• V-2 flight tests in US initiated. - . Nation: Germany. Related Persons: von Braun.

• U.S. upper atmosphere research program initiated with captured German V-2 rockets. A V-2 panel of representatives of various interested agencies was created, and a total of more than 60 V-2's were fired before the supply ran out. The Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University then undertook to develop a medium-altitude rocket, the Aerobee, while the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) directed its efforts to the development of a large high-altitude rocket, first called the Neptune, later the Viking.

1969 January 16 - . 12:43 GMT - .

• EVA Soyuz 4/5-1 - . Crew: Khrunov, Yeliseyev. EVA Duration: 0.0257 days. Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Khrunov, Yeliseyev. Program: Soyuz. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 4/5, Soyuz 5. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK.

• A day after the launch of Soyuz 5, Soyuz 4 docked with it. The Soyuz 4 active spacecraft was equipped with a long docking probe, designated 'Shtir'. The Soyuz 5 target spacecraft was equipped with the 'Konus' receptacle. The symbology lead Volynov to joke that he 'was being raped' when the hard docking was accomplished. Khrunov and Yeliseyev transferred to and returned in Soyuz 4, the feat they had hoped to accomplish in the cancelled Soyuz 2 flight almost two years earlier. The external crew transfer was also a test of the technique needed for the Soviet lunar landing.

1978 January 16 - .

• NASA Astronaut Training Group 8 selected. - . Nation: USA. Related Persons: Bluford, Brandenstein, Buchli, Coats, Covey, Creighton, Fabian, Fisher, Gardner, Gibson, Gregory, Griggs, Hart, Hauck, Hawley, Hoffman, Lucid, McBride, McNair, Mullane, Nagel, Nelson, Onizuka, Resnik, Ride, Scobee, Seddon, Shaw, Shriver, Stewart, Sullivan.

• The group was selected to provide pilot, engineer, and scientist astronauts for space shuttle flights. Recruit women and minorities to introduce diversity into the astronaut corps. Qualifications: Pilots: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics. Advanced degree desirable. At least 1,000 flight-hours of pilot-in-command time. Flight test experience desirable. Excellent health. Vision minimum 20/50 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20 vision; maximum sitting blood pressure 140/90. Height between 163 and 193 cm.

• Mission Specialists: Bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics and minimum three years of related experience or an advanced degree. Vision minimum 20/150 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20. Maximum sitting blood pressure of 140/90. Height between 150 and 193 cm.. 8,079 applicants, of which half met the basic qualifications. 208 invited for physical tests and interviews. Of the 35 selected, six were women, three were male African-Americans, and one was a male Asian-American.

• (NOTE: Mike Mullane of this group wrote a good autobiography of his time with the Shuttle program, "Riding Rockets".  Good read.  He states that the Columbia tragedy was not the only time the o-rings on the solid rocket boosters failed, and it was only sheer luck that more lives were not lost.  It does make me wonder about their use on the new SLS for the Orion, even if they say they've worked the problems out.  Famous last words.)

modelcrazy

Bakster, unless you plan to show it, I doubt anyone who would see it would be any the wiser.  Sounds like a fun dio.

 

PF: Those decals are cool, they're going to look great on there!

Mach71: Interesting, I didn't even think about the lack of sense of the  rocket motor running on the ground while watching the film...

Gary: They look cool to me, both the service module and the D-7.

Bakster, unless you plan to show it, I doubt anyone who would see it would be any the wiser.  Sounds like a fun dio.

DRUMS01

Nice work on the X-1 and the mini shuttle is looking nice so far too. I still just love this GB and the people building in it. Keep up the good work!

Ben

 

Thanks, Commander Drums!

mach71

Bakster,

I'm loving your X-1! I have the 30 year old Revell kit in my stash.

 

Unfortunatly That scene from the movie is all Hollywood.  The hose conected to the X-1 is a compressed air hose. The truck is an air cart truck. The air is used to spin the starter on jet engines. We used them on the T-38 and any jet that does not have an APU needs it to supply air for starting. They are common on airports both military and civillian.

The X-1 has no need for the compressed air as it is a rocketplane. I'll look over my photos of Glamerous Glennis, But I don't believe there is any hatch in that location.

Also I can't think of a reason that the X-1 would ever be sitting there with the rocket "idleing". I'm no expert, but rockets don't idle and the X-1 rocket was not throttleable. It had 4 chambers that could be fired one at a time or all at once to control the thrust.

 

I'm just guessing here, but It looks like the X-1 mockup used in the movie was rigged to accept the air hose and the fake rocket has some kind of "fuel" source to burn while the high pressure air was blown by it for the rocket effect. It's very well done in the movie, looks great, but all fake.

 

None the less, It would make a great diorama!

 

Ah! I knew someone out there would have some info. That is some awesome info, sir. Thank you for that! 

Yeah--I suspected it might be hollywood stuff too. That scene didn't make sense, as Gary noted. None the less, it was good drama!  And like you said--it would make for a nice dio. Though not accurate in any stretch of the imagination--I will still do it. It will look cool. I will probably lead the hose up into one of the wheel wells. It's fiction--so I am not gonna sweat that detail.

Thanks for enjoying my build. You guys are giving me a spark of motivation.  

Mach71>  Thanks for the info on the movie X-1.  I had suspected that it was pure Holywood.  The picture of the X-1E I posted does show a hose and is labeled an engine test, but what I think is happening is purging the fuel system.  That would make more sense.

Drums01> Always glad to have you around!  Not much going on at the moment, but I'm still plugging away.  Need to do a little painting this afternoon, so I'll probably have an update (small as it is) later tonight.

Gary

Nice work on the X-1 and the mini shuttle is looking nice so far too. I still just love this GB and the people building in it. Keep up the good work!

Ben

Bakster,

I'm loving your X-1! I have the 30 year old Revell kit in my stash.

Unfortunatly That scene from the movie is all Hollywood.  The hose conected to the X-1 is a compressed air hose. The truck is an air cart truck. The air is used to spin the starter on jet engines. We used them on the T-38 and any jet that does not have an APU needs it to supply air for starting. They are common on airports both military and civillian.

The X-1 has no need for the compressed air as it is a rocketplane. I'll look over my photos of Glamerous Glennis, But I don't believe there is any hatch in that location.

Also I can't think of a reason that the X-1 would ever be sitting there with the rocket "idleing". I'm no expert, but rockets don't idle and the X-1 rocket was not throttleable. It had 4 chambers that could be fired one at a time or all at once to control the thrust.

I'm just guessing here, but It looks like the X-1 mockup used in the movie was rigged to accept the air hose and the fake rocket has some kind of "fuel" source to burn while the high pressure air was blown by it for the rocket effect. It's very well done in the movie, looks great, but all fake.

None the less, It would make a great diorama!

PFJN> Those are great decals.  They'll look splendid on the shuttle.  The "rescue" decal would be a good idea, as I noticed on the image I linked for Bakster on the Bell X-1E it has a decal that says "Other Side - Rescue". 

https://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/X-1E/Large/E-2392.jpg

Project Report:

I've made some slight progress over the last weekend.  I was trying to find a way to round the lower base a bit for a better fit with the folding panels, and needed something to insert that would be stiff enough to do so.  In that regard, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and there I found something perfect.  A set of steel rings in the bead / jewelry section that I could fix the slight bow the joins had.  I took one of the rings and got it in place, marked it and then glued on some plastic strips.  I then snugged it into place and glued it.  A good fix!  Section is now as round as I can make it.

I also repainted the interior of the folding panels, the CM and lower section of the Service Module a lighter grey.  After all that was dry, I worked on the Servie Module and got the panels glued together, along with the engine nozzle.  The high-gain antenna had a new rod attached, and is awaiting some pieces for the center section to finish it.  I also glued the RCS units (minus the nozzles) onto the outside of the SM.  Some minor sanding and polishing accompanied all this.  One thing to note is that I did not attempt to use the hinged door on the SM as in the original model.  I have lost some of the components for the interior (oxygen tanks, fuel cells) and did not wish to replicate them, so I've glued the panel shut.  Too bad, but less work overall.

Once the antenna is finished, I'll attach it to the SM and glue the SM heat shield in place.  Then I'll begin work on the Command Module.

(And just for Gamera, work is proceeding on the D-7.) 

Project Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1969 January 15 - . 07:04 GMT - . Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: Baikonur LC1. LV Family: R-7. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz 11A511.

• Soyuz 5 - . Call Sign: Baikal (Baikal - lake in Siberia). Crew: Khrunov, Volynov, Yeliseyev. Backup Crew: Filipchenko, Gorbatko, Kubasov. Payload: Soyuz 7K-OK (P) s/n 13. Mass: 6,585 kg (14,517 lb). Nation: Russia. Related Persons: Filipchenko, Gorbatko, Khrunov, Kubasov, Volynov, Yeliseyev. Agency: MOM. Program: Soyuz. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spacecraft. Flight: Soyuz 4/5, Soyuz 5. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK. Duration: 3.04 days. Decay Date: 1969-01-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 3656 . COSPAR: 1969-005A. Apogee: 212 km (131 mi). Perigee: 196 km (121 mi). Inclination: 51.7000 deg. Period: 88.60 min.

  At 3 am an An-12 arrives from Moscow with ten newspapers, and letters for Shatalov, to be delivered by the Soyuz 5 crew to him as the first 'space mail'. At 05:15 the State Commission convened and approved launch at 10:04:30. The countdown proceeds normally; meanwhile communications sessions are held with Shatalov on Soyuz 4. The commission is taken by automobile convoy from Area 2, to Area 17, where the Soyuz 5 crew declares itself ready for flight. At T-25 minutes, with the crew already aboard the spacecraft, a piece of electrical equipment fails and needs to be replaced. Engineer-Captain Viktor Vasilyevich Alyeshin goes to the fuelled booster and replaces it. While doing this he notices that the access hatch has been secured with only three bolts, instead of the four required. Nevertheless the launch proceeds successfully. After Soyuz 5 is in orbit, it and Soyuz 4 begin their mutual series of manoeuvres for rendezvous and docking. Officially the flight conducted scientific, technical and medico-biological research, checking and testing of onboard systems and design elements of space craft, docking of piloted space craft and construction of an experimental space station, transfer of cosmonauts from one craft to another in orbit.

1994 January 15 - .

• Mir News 204: Soyuz-TM17 returned to earth - . Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Flight: Soyuz TM-17, Soyuz TM-18, Soyuz TM-18 Mir LD-4.

  On 14.01.1994 at 0819 UTC (08 hrs 18 mins 20 secs) the return capsule of the Soyuz-TM18 landed at 215 KM West of Karaganda in Kazakhstan. The cosmonauts (Tsibliyev and Serebrov) felt well after their flight of 197 days. They will be flown to Starcity near Moscow this afternoon. Again a routine-message about a routine-operation, but yet 'it has been a near thing' and nearly I had to draft a real shocking message!

  Return operation:

  At 0145 UTC the hatch of Soyuz-TM17 was closed behind Tsibliyev and Serebrov. At 0430 UTC the Soyuz-TM17 undocked from Mir. Tsibliyev had got orders to make a short inspection flight around the Mir-complex. They had to make images of the outer surface and they had to give special attention to the APAS89 docking system on Kristall (Module-T). In a distance of 30 Meters S- TM17 deviated from the desired course and collided with the Mir-station. Immediately radio contact with Soyuz-TM17 was lost. After 10 minutes TsUP managed to re-established radio contact with Soyuz-TM17 and the crew reported that their ship did not suffer damages and that the air-seal was still in good order. They also did not see any damages on the Mir-complex. Soyuz-TM17 made its last 2 orbits around the earth and the descent started at abt. 0715 UTC. At 0804 UTC the parachute opened and the 2-tonne heavy capsule made a safe landing at 08.18.20 UTC.

  Mir:

  The new crew (15th Main Expedition) immediately started observations through the portholes to try to determine eventual damages. During the passes in orbits 45206 (1100 UTC) and 45207 (1234 UTC) they transmitted to earth video-images which they made during the departure and fly-around of Soyuz-TM17. Shortly Afanasyev and Usachov will have to make a non-scheduled spacewalk to inspect the place, where Soyuz-TM17 hit the Mir- station. (probably near the APAS89 docking device on Kristall -Module-T).

  Chris v.d. Berg, NL-9165/A-UK3202

GAF

PFJN> Things certainly look good, PF!  The base and the astronaut figure certainly work nicely with the shuttle.  Look forward to seeing the finished product.  What sort of decals are you planning?

Gary

Hi,

I bought some decals off eBay that I hope to use.

Although they 1st set is 1/48th scale I think that they will look ok on my 1/60th build.  I intend to put the Red NASA logo on top of one wing and either a US Flag, or the NASA Globe symbol on top of the other wing, and a US Flag on the Fuselage (port and starboard) with the black UNITED STATES decal, aft of the flags.

I may also add a RESCUE arrow or some of the other miscellaneous marking too, but haven't fully decided on which ones to use yet.

PF

Gamera

Grumble, I meant I hate sanding wing roots... Guess I shouldn't post with a YouTube video playing in the background... 

Ha! I had to read your original post a few times before I figured it out. I am slow. No worries though, good exercise for the brain! 

Bakster

 

 

Gamera

Cool Bakster. I hope sanding wing roots, thankfully the wings aren't that big! I like the idea of the diorama with the truck, looking forward to more.

 

 

 

 

Thanks Gam.

 

Grumble, I meant I hate sanding wing roots... Guess I shouldn't post with a YouTube video playing in the background... 

PF: Looks pretty awesome to me! And you're moving way faster than I am... 

PFJN

Hi,

Sorry for "slow rolling" getting this build done.  I've been distracted b a couple things and also playing around with some different ideas.  Right now all I really have to do is finish up some touch ups on the paint and then add the windows and decals on the model, so I hope to finish that up soon.  For the base, I recently picked up some Testors washes, and have been playing around with them.  Its been a fun learning project for me, as this (and a small tank build that I am also doing right now) are my first forays into using washes.

PF

PFJN> Things certainly look good, PF!  The base and the astronaut figure certainly work nicely with the shuttle.  Look forward to seeing the finished product.  What sort of decals are you planning?

Gary

Hey PF, that looks cool!

Gamera

Cool Bakster. I hope sanding wing roots, thankfully the wings aren't that big! I like the idea of the diorama with the truck, looking forward to more.

 

Thanks Gam.

GAF

That's nice work on the X-1!  I understand about gaps.  Good thing the model hasn't been sitting in a box for 50 years!  Let me tell you... 

Why? Do tell.. Share your pain brother...

Hey, that is a nice find with the X1-E. That seems to confirm access through a panel. Unless more info presents itself, maybe I’ll do a major “guesstimate” using the general location shown in the movie. That will have to do. Thanks for what you found, it does help.

Hi,

Sorry for "slow rolling" getting this build done.  I've been distracted b a couple things and also playing around with some different ideas.  Right now all I really have to do is finish up some touch ups on the paint and then add the windows and decals on the model, so I hope to finish that up soon.  For the base, I recently picked up some Testors washes, and have been playing around with them.  Its been a fun learning project for me, as this (and a small tank build that I am also doing right now) are my first forays into using washes.

Anyway, here is a quick sneak peak of how things are coming along.

PF

Cool Bakster. I hope sanding wing roots, thankfully the wings aren't that big! I like the idea of the diorama with the truck, looking forward to more.

Bakster>  That's nice work on the X-1!  I understand about gaps.  Good thing the model hasn't been sitting in a box for 50 years!  Let me tell you... 

As for the engine attachment, I don't know.  That scene has always mystified me, as the X-1 is just sitting out there alone... no one around.  I did find one photo of an engine test, but it is for the Bell X-1E, and the hose attached on the rear fuselage through a removed panel.  Not sure if the X-1 was the same.

https://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/X-1E/Large/E-2392.jpg

Gary

Today in Space History:

1969 January 13 - .

• Soyuz 4 scrub - . Nation: Russia. Program: Soyuz. Flight: Soyuz 4, Soyuz 4/5, Soyuz 5. Spacecraft Bus: Soyuz. Spacecraft: Soyuz 7K-OK.

  The launch of the 13th Soviet cosmonaut into space aboard Soyuz 4 is scrubbed - the first launch scrub in the history of Soviet manned launch attempts. Despite -24 deg C temperatures and 8 to 10 m/s winds, the fuelling of the rocket proceeds successfully. Voice communications are lost with Shatalov whenever the television camera is turned on, but it is decided just to leave the camera off and proceed with the launch. Then at T - 9 minutes a problem is detected with the gyro platform of the rocket. It takes three hours to fix, pushing the launch back to 15:00, meaning the landing will have to be in darkness at the end of the mission. It is decided this is too risky, and the launch is cancelled. As Shatalov exits from the spacecraft, he jokes that he has set a new record: shortest space flight, and first to return to its exact point of lift-off. The engineers are concerned with the internal temperature of the SAS abort system solid rockets if left on the pad for 24 hours in these temperatures. The internal temperature of the fuel cannot go below -2 deg C at night. Any lower, the loss of specific impulse of the fuel would reduce the thrust by more than 5%, the limit established for safe operation.

There is a scene in The Right Stuff where Yeager rides up to the X-1 that is going through some kind of engine run through. The X-1 is connected to a large hose that runs to the back of a military truck. I am toying with modeling that scene, less the horse and Yeager. What I can't figure out is where that hose connects to. I checked the movie from all angles and the best I can come up with is that it connects near to the rear undercarriage. If anyone has any historic knowledge of this and where it might connect-- I'd be interested to know. 

Thanks..

modelcrazy

Bakster, good job on the seams. Wing roots are my worst enemy.

 

Thanks, Steve. Yeah it's not easy with all the panel lines and such. And usually, it's a bad fit. It's work to fix.

Bakster, good job on the seams. Wing roots are my worst enemy.

Not much to show, but some progress is made. Some of the office is installed and ready for paint.

The last several days I've been working on the wing roots. Unfortunately, my model had some large gaps. I tried sanding here and there, that helped to a point. The gaps were still too large for something like Perfect Plastic Putty. So, I tried going with spru-goo. That worked well. I have some minor air divots to fill but that should be an easy deal. Inevitably some panel lines are damaged in the sanding process. They will need to be repaired. 

So, I am still bringing things together for paint. Oh--and I happened on a wood base at Walmart that might work perfectly for this.

PS: The fuselage is not glued. I banded them together for photo sake.

modelcrazy

Are you looking to take pics of the CSM or the LES?

I probably will, but there are nice images of these online as they are more interesting subjects than plain panels that have nothing going on about them.  Is there anything you're needing in the way of details?

Gary