Ben: Ohhhhhhh, looks cool, really nice set of decals. 

PF: She looks great!!! 

Steve: Good luck with the new job. 

Mach, during my research I looked into Lancair's build and thought it was amazing too. Enough about his build, I think that with your skills and dedication to the build, yours will look just a good or better. I am watching your thread with interest as I have the same kit. You are doing great and I appreciate you showing us the challenges with the kit or instructions as it will aide me when I finally get mine started.

PFJN, The shuttle is coming along nicely I see. Show us more pictures!....

Both ot you keep up the GREAT work.

Ben

Gary, 

Thanks for the link! Thats an amazing build!

I found this in his thread:

And this online:

Looks like dark grey/metalic to me.

Hi,

Sorry this image is a lttle fuzzy, but it shows where I currently am.  I may try and dig out my camera for future pictures instead of just using my phone.

Anyway, I found parts from an old 1/72 scale Airfix kit (a TBD Devastator, I think) to use as the base for my landing gear.  In addition to that I tried to 3D print some tires.  Unfortunately at this scale I had a little trouble getting something to work out OK.  Although my printer is reasonably precise in what it does, sometimes whatever you print may melt at its base just a little and the actual thickness of an item may be +/- a fraction of a millimeter.  So, if what you are trying to print is only 5-6 mm in diameter and a mm or two thick its hard to get clearances just right sometimes.

Anyway, I'm letting the glue dry and will take a closer look at it tomorrow.  

PF

mach71

Next up is the revovery/antenna compartment. It needs to be painted before instalation,

the only problem is I can find no color reference photos. 

I'll start searching through my photos and try and find my old Project Mercury book "A First Step" from the '70's. 

If anyone has any photo's of that area I would be appriciative!

No photos myself, but Lancair IV did a build of this model a couple of years ago.  You might contact him about the colors he choose for this area.  Build log here:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/8/t/165304.aspx

Gary

They Arrived !!!

Here are my lunar module upgraded decals from Model Space systems. They are a great step above what the standard Monogram kit supplies. They provide decals for any of the lunar landers. Includes flags, US markings, landing leg plaques, hatch labels, nav light markers, and more. Comes with silkscreened Commander's forward and overhead windows on clear acetate with the LPD and docking scales. The new decals also include a flag decal and astronaut suit markings (NASA meatball; wrist watch; arm checklist; red bands for arms, legs, and helmet; etc.). 

I should have them on the kit tomorrow and photos afterwards....

v/r,

Ben

Mach, the Mercury is looking good, I may have to look into that kit some day.

PF, wow, that mini shuttle is really comming along. I'm intrested to see how you're going to tackle the cockpit windscreen.

I've gone ahead and started on the SV and wouldn't you know it, one of the fins is missing on the first stage, no problem though, it's an easy scratch.

My new job has me training and switching hours last week and this week so I don't have a stable time to work on it. After this week, things will settle out into 2nd shift.

Mach71: Nice work on the capsule and some great photos there too! 

No luck in my photo's.

I did find this:

The same area of Gemini. Sadly you can see the Mercury capsule behind it and I didn't think to get a photo of then.

If worst comes to worst I can probably use that as a reference.

I did find this:

Now for a trip down memory lane!

Nice work by everyone so far!

I've been busy at work for a bit and couldn't get much done. I've been trying to figure

out the instructions for the destabilizing flap on my Mercury. The mounts on the flap are miss labeled. It looked like it was going to be next to impossable to get everything mounted correctly. In the end it went together very nicely.

Next up is the revovery/antenna compartment. It needs to be painted before instalation,

the only problem is I can find no color reference photos. 

I'll start searching through my photos and try and find my old Project Mercury book "A First Step" from the '70's. 

If anyone has any photo's of that area I would be appriciative!

Ben>  I always wondered about making my own lunar surface out of cement powder.  I ran a few experiments many, many years ago by layering it over a base of styrofoam.  It even clung to the 1/48th scale astronauts figures just like the real thing!  While it worked well and was the correct color, I could not come up with a method of solidifying it enough to keep from scattering it all over the place.  I did enjoy dropping pebbles into it to make small craters, however.  

In the ensuing years, I've wondered if there was something that could be sprayed over the surface to keep it intact, but not turn it into what looked like a dried mud flat.  Hair spray perhaps?  Someday I need to run some experiments (just as soon as I can afford a bag of cement).

Gary

Nice Armageddon shuttle. Classic Movie for entertainment value...

Rework, rework, and more rework! I applied my rivet decals only to find that they would not adhere even with setting solution. Next I tried to clear coat them on, no success. Went back to a repaint of the black areas and will try another method.

In the process of trying to add more detail I also broke an RCS thruster, one of the antenna, and a grab handle (more rework). I think it is back to the point of waiting for the replacement decals (arriving soon I hope). 

I did get the rest of the moon base from the Monogram kit done. In the process I researched the various moon surface test items and modified them into more accurate representations. My goal is to get my scratch built decent module to fit on the kits moon base. Now that its done, I noticed that the equipment is deployed but the MESA compartment on the decent module is closed (?); the Monogram kit parts are closed as well (?). How can that be???        

I will not modify or make another decent module with a opened MESA, instead it is going to be displayed like a stock Monogram kit. 

Pictures as soon as I get the decals applied and the lunar base modified for my landers legs.... getting there.....one giant leap, and one small step at a time.   

Ben

Real G

...

Hey PFJN, looking at your "Mini-Me" shuttle, it reminded me of another Closet of Doom project of mine!

https://flic.kr/p/29VdUKQ][/url]IMG_0555 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

It was based off the "Armageddon" shuttle I think.  It was tweaked to be used in a Gundam display but was never used (or finished off) because it looked too much like the normal space shuttle.

OK back to the regularly scheduled program...

Cool, thanks for sharing.  That does look very similar .  That could be a cool idea for a next build.

PF

Gary: Hope everyone is feeling better. Been bogged down here with Halloween stuff and a special project. Hopefully I'll be ready to start on the Buran sometime before end of the world...

Real G: Ohhhhhhh, love the paint scheme!!

PFJN

Hi,

I know that this may not seem like a big change from my last post, but I did do a couple coats of paint/primer plus sealer/putty and a fair bit of sanding ti try and smooth stuff out.  In addition I have added the tail and an exhaust nozzle (cut down and sanded a bit from one of the kits original nozzles).  After I took the pictures I also added the aft landing gear doors.

Hopefully tomorrow I can start on making the landing gear.  

PF

 

Hey PFJN, looking at your "Mini-Me" shuttle, it reminded me of another Closet of Doom project of mine!

https://flic.kr/p/29VdUKQ][/url]IMG_0555 by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

It was based off the "Armageddon" shuttle I think.  It was tweaked to be used in a Gundam display but was never used (or finished off) because it looked too much like the normal space shuttle.

OK back to the regularly scheduled program...

Hey!  Thought I had better check in and apologize for being absent for the past few days.

Lots of stuff going on with health issues and family, so not much progress on model work.  Looks like everyone is making great progess though.  I'll try to get back on track this week with some updates as I try to finish up the LES.

Wish everyone the best!

Gary

Today in Space History:

2013 November 5 - . 09:08 GMT - . Launch Site: Sriharikota. Launch Complex: Sriharikota PSLV. Launch Pad: xxx. LV Family: PSLV. Launch Vehicle: PSLV-XL.

• Mars Orbiter Spacecraft - . Mass: 1,350 kg (2,970 lb). Nation: India. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft: Chandrayaan. USAF Sat Cat: 39370 . COSPAR: 2013-060A.

  First Indian mission to Mars. Carried 15 kg of instruments, including a color camera, but primary purpose was to test technologies for future planetary missions. Carried 850 kg of propellant for trans-Mars ejection and insertion into Martian orbit on arrival there. The MOS was inserted in elliptical Earth orbit; it used its own propulsion to achieve trans-Mars injection. The fourth stage and MOM payload entered a 251 x 23,892 km x 19.4 deg orbit with first perigee over the South Pacific. On November 7 the orbit was raised to 259 x 28,726 km, and on November 8 to over 70,000 km apogee. A further burn on November 10 delivered only 35 m/s, raising the apogee less than planned. A makeup burn on November 11 fixed the problem, and a burn on November 15 put the spacecraft in a 853 x 194,683 km x 19.4 deg orbit. A final perigee burn at 19:19 GMT on November 30 accelerated MOM to a hyperbolic Earth escape trajectory, and it entered an 0.98 x 1.45 AU solar orbit on December 3 on the way to Mars.

Again, that's some amazing work guys!!! 

JJFlyer

The F-1 engine, It has tin foil on the exterior to simulate batting,and will be airbrushed a different color to correctly portray it.

Hey JJ. The tin foil is a nice effect. Looking good!

PFJN

I know that this may not seem like a big change from my last post, but I did do a couple coats of paint/primer plus sealer/putty and a fair bit of sanding ti try and smooth stuff out.  In addition I have added the tail and an exhaust nozzle (cut down and sanded a bit from one of the kits original nozzles).  After I took the pictures I also added the aft landing gear doors.

Hey PF, I can see the difference. It is looking really good! It looks ready for color coat.

Hi,

I know that this may not seem like a big change from my last post, but I did do a couple coats of paint/primer plus sealer/putty and a fair bit of sanding ti try and smooth stuff out.  In addition I have added the tail and an exhaust nozzle (cut down and sanded a bit from one of the kits original nozzles).  After I took the pictures I also added the aft landing gear doors.

Hopefully tomorrow I can start on making the landing gear.  

PF

Allright, 

here's what I've got so far,

The F-1 engine, It has tin foil on the exterior to simulate batting,and will be airbrushed a different color to correctly portray it.

https://ibb.co/hctA3L

https://ibb.co/hFY4V0

(sorry about links having trouble with embed)

and here is the CSM, LEM, & LES all unpainted and barely sanded, no major fit problems yet but this model has a LOT of flash so that's fun *says with sarcastic tone* so far everything has been going together a lot better than it would

https://ibb.co/e63hHf

and here is the mock up of the final stack:

https://ibb.co/n6bKxf

Ihave the 2nd&3rd stages complete as well but didn't think to photograph them but the 2nd stage took FOREVER to sand even and it still looks weirs because there aren't any ridges anymore, 3rd stage and payload fairing went together very well overall with a slight hicup with glueing the LEM to the payload fairing but I got that fixed, oh and the 2nd stage thrust structure is a MESS so I have beenworking on a cad design to 3d print a new trust stucture and 5 J-2s. overall this rocket has been fun too put together so far with some issues, but I always have the stash to work on when things go wrong. 

Jamie

I just got the decals for the R4D-1 tow plane!  It's the single carrier film type and feels kind of dry/rough, so I'll test a piece prior to using the actual markings.  I hope they won't scratch too easily or disintegrate when wet!  Here's the paint/marking guide:

https://flic.kr/p/29QJeef][/url]R4D-1 Paint Guide by N.T. Izumi, on Flickr

Has anyone used decals from this person (Pointerdog)?

Thanks

PF: Looks pretty friggin' good to me! 

Great work everyone!

I have been out of town a lot recently so I have not had much time to work on my Saturn V, but I have done a few things (LES, S-II, S-IV, F1s(3), LEM, and CSM(everything unpainted/sanded) and will post once I have acces to my computer (on android right now) 

Happy modeling

Jamie

Hi,

Here is where I am now.  I still need to clean up the bottom of the right wing, and keep finding small dings and dents 

PF

Justin: Oh wow! Love that lamp! That's the coolest thing!!! 

PF & Ben: You have to keep me in suspense guys! Looking forward to more photos. 

Real G, that M2F1 and C47 will look great, can't wait to see it...

PFJN, based on the work you are putting into it, your shuttle is going to look really nice.

ALL, has anyone been checking out the 1/12 Mercury build on the "Space" section of our forum. Lancair IV has been doing a museum quality job on it. If you have not, you should look at the thread. Even though he is not part of our GB, his effort deserves this mention here....  

Like many of you, I do not have an updated photo of my work either. It is nearly complete, just waiting for delivery of the after-market decals.

So far since my last post I have completed the following:

- the decent and accent stages have been joined

- defusers completed and added

- final paint has been completed to the accent stage

- a new EVA antenna created and added

- grab handles added to the egress platform and forward hatch

- various vents have been added

- currently working on the rivet detail

- added third brace to the VHF antenna masts

- currently working on accurately detailing the lunar test equipment

 I will keep everyone in suspense and post my next photos only after the decals are applied. Happy building everyone!

v/r,

Ben

Bakster

This would be cool, G.

 

Thank you Bakster.

Now I have to get off my heinnie and get to it!  The M2F1 first.

This would be cool, G.