Finished - 1/32 M757A1 E/L and Pershing 1A Missile - Lots of Pics

I am in slient amazment as I look at the work that you are doing.  Simply beautiful.  Keep up the great work, I look forward to following the progess and to see the complete unit.

WOw, Mike, you're totally "Swayzey-ing" this kit! LOL!

Looking good, man! 

Moose - Thanks for your comments.

Doog - Thanks also.

After this one I need a small, simple build like a jeep.

Thanks again and thanks for looking!

Rounds Complete!! 

Doing great there Red! Seams, sinks, pin marks and picking up on some great detailing! Starting to really take shape now. Ohhhh.... there's something about that P1A profile!

Are you going to show this in the erected position or flat on the trailer? I recall Yom Kipper, Oct 1973 when the missiles stood up... the first and only time that I saw that. We had gone to DEFCON ? when the Soviets threatened to send an airborne brigade in to the Middle East.

Photo below from Google Earth shows what's left of the launch pad (bottom of pic) and Ft. Black Jack (top). The road between the two is where my photo above was taken. Features still identifiable and looks almost like I remember last time I was there in 1973. More woods close by now. The site was originally a French built Anti-Aircraft site.

Heavy - I was wondering if you were peeking!! Thanks for the comments. It's been struggle but hopefully I'll prevail!!

Mini - Thanks again for looking. As far as the display, the missile and launcher is built to move so it can be displayed either way but....the missile is big and heavy. Also once I get the paint on I and going to add the cable bundle to the umbilical and the hose to the umbilical. Once they are all on, I would be worried trying to raise the missile. I may test it but with all that hanging on, I am worried about balance and movement of all the umbilical connections . Though....it would look cool.

As you can see I'm undecided.

Cool shot of Ft Black Jack. I wonder how many times that section of real estate has been photographed from space????

Thanks again guys.

Rounds Complete!!

Marioc

Thank you for your view on this thread. I am considering turning it into an article. I don't know if FSM is interested but I may give it a try.

Thanks again!

Rounds Complete!!

I joined just to say Wow!  I've seen the EPL-1 kits go for some big bucks on eBay lately.  It is good to see someone working one up with this level of care.

 I scanned in the Pershing 1a System Description manual— it is online at:

http://www.stelmarski.com/pershingdocuments//manuals/OR13.149.pdf

The photos are not that great, but it may give you a bit of help.  http://pershingmissile.org/ has a bunch of photos that might be helpful if you haven't already been there.

 Ed

Ed

First I am humbled that you joined just for this thread and have to say...

Next, yes this was not cheap but I don't believe in buying a kits to sit on the shelf in the box. I bought this with the intent of building. Yes it is molded in the typical 70s type model. Generally correct but lacking fine details.

The Pershing is difficult since it was classified. Even the manual you have below, though nice, you will notice is missing the entire chapter on the erector/launcher .

As far as Pershing missile organization, I have been to their site and have all their pictures. Again thanks.

The lack of research material is one of the things that makes this kit a real challange. I have been lucky to get some help here and there from former Pershing redlegs.

I am glad you are enjoying the work and very much thank you for looking...Now its time to get off the computer and back to the bench...still a few details to finish.

Feel free to comment or jump in anytime and again nice to have you on board.

Rounds Complete!!

Tread -

Thanks. I am humbled by your comments and hope I can live up to the hype and expectations. I am looking forward to finishing and getting into the paint booth. Down to the last few details. Hopefully in a week or two I will be ready to begin painting. 

The bad part is work, spring chores outdoors, work, trying to finish my model room (just need to get the ceiling up), and work all seem to slow me down.

How is the Sherman coming??? I know that will be a bueaty. 

Hope to see somthing from you soon. Thanks again as always

Rounds Complete!!

Rounds Complete!!

Thanks Tread...with your Shermie details I can't wait for Sept either.

The casting thing is a little time consuming but great for replicating parts. It's not that hard. Once you try it your hooked!!

I sent you a PM. ring me back if your interested.

Thanks again.

Rounds Complete!!

I don't know what else to say about this project Mike other than I'm lovin' what you're doing to this kit and I am so lookin' forward to seeing this project of yours completed!

Wow, man--you are totally "Swayzeying" this kit! LOL!

Looks great, redleg!!! 

Doog - Its always a pleasure hearing from you and thanks

Mini - I thank you also. Its always special hearing from you on this build since you were on the Pershing. That make your comments even more special

Thanks again to all..

Rounds Complete!!

Pershing Sgt -

Well I have looked in a bunch of places both public and militarty but....always good to have someone who was on them tell me. I will send you a PM.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Rounds Complete!! 

Rounds Complete!!

Ahhh... Paint...YES!!

Coming along very nicely there Redleg! Are you going to put this 'out in the field' or on the 'launch pad'? Either case, these things were just about spotless (IIRC) so, be real careful with your weathering... do it but, try not to over do it. 1/81FA probably painted and PM'd their vehicles etc. as often as 2/4Inf did back in the day. (In 1972, to mid-1973, there was hardly any funding to go to the field, mostly stayed in garrison... or out to the launch site...boring!)

Re: The thin fiberglass. Where do you get this and how thin? That's cool, never heard of using that before.

I hear ya on the spring time chores etc but, great to see that you are making progress!!! Don't hurry this project... finish it when you can... us old 'pocket rockets' ain't goin' anywhere.

(Insert broken record here) I can't tell you enough how excited I am about this!!!!

Mini

Well it will be out in the field. I have enough funding to take this scale unit out!! I don't want to be boring, thats for sure!!

As you can see we have some mud in the areas of the tires, but thats about it. For the top surface was only thinking of a light Raw Sienna wash to give a hint of some dust.

I have the base cut. I am laying it out now. On the front of the base will be the kit included nameplate from Martin-Marietta and on the other side a commemertive Russian ruble coin made from crushed missile metal (from the treaty that ended the Pershing).

Since I have no preferance on marking, I will be using yours. So this will be 1/81 and D - 213!! That is one of my next items, to get the marking on the bumper.

The thin fiberglass is something I picked up in a LHS for RC plane repair. I will check the thickness but its thin. I use it the same way by soaking in 50/50 water.white glue and apply. It gives your the texture of cloth but it is difficult to work with...runs and pulls. Also painting works well but need another coat in some spots to fill some small voids. All in all, it is worth the effort.

Taking my time is my only option...I'm too close now to have a last minute woops.

Thanks for the comments

Rounds Complete!!

Tread - Thanks again!

Gino - I appreciate you taking the time to look from Iraq. Thanks for the comments. Hope to have it on the base soon. Keep the powder temp down! Call you up on secure push soon.

Rounds Complete!!

marioc wrote:

This deserves to be a FSM article, very well explained

to that! Excellent build so far Redleg, very thorough and it looks awesome! Keep it up.

Oh, and when they say "Authentic Working Model" on the box art, I'm assuming you won't be bombarding the neighbours with missiles?

Chris,

Chris

Thanks for the comments. As far as FSM, I'm going to give it a shot (if I ever finish!!!) and I appreciate the support from the forum.

As goes the neighbors...well I have had them concerned for years, I have a 1/2 scale civil war cannon on the lawn. What do you expect from the old redleg..

Rounds Complete!!

Looks great Mike! Man, I can't wait to see it painted and displayed!

Hey. if you need any advice or help on writing the Finescale article, let me know! I've sold four different articles to them in the last two years, so I've got the whole format thing down, I think!

Karl

Thanks for the comments. Hopefully we will have the base in the next update.

As far as the article, at my current rate it will be around July 4 before I'm done with the model and ready to write it up. But when the time comes or if you have time between now and then you can PM me you FSM "cheat notes" it would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

Rounds Complete!!