1/72 Revell Space Shuttle Orbiter W.I.P. Done! w/Photos

Say Max, that is an ingenious solution to the problem.

Keep up the good work!

Bakster

Say Max, that is an ingenious solution to the problem.

Keep up the good work!

 

More like acts of desperation! LOL! It's kinda like building a house. You'd better start off with a square base or it gets worse as you go along! One of the problems is when you get the cockpit area clamped together the bottom seam is almost impossible to make flat and even. I did some tests with this quick hot glue. The seam provides strength and alignment and is all hidden under the wing bottom. Hell for stout as Dad used to say. One problem at a time, I think this is going to work and now I'll join the cockpit last or at least that's the flip-flop plan!  

Max

Max, I am all about making solid connections when you can. I have seen too many joins fail, even when using epoxy. I am right there with you on this. Nice work...

Steve

Hey Steve, that hot glue worked really good. I could clamp a section flat, glue it and move to the next section in about two minutes aligning as I went. I also put some cross beads perpendicular to the seam to re-enforce and cross strengthen the joint. Kinda crude looking but as I said the wing bottom covers all of this. Whatever works!

I've used this tactic before in hidden situations where a quick tack is needed. It's saved the day more than once. Cockpit placement comes to mind on the recent A-37 build. It tacks, fills, sets in minutes and can be cut and removed with an X-acto knife. The duct tape of the modeling world!

Max

Hodakamax

It tacks, fills, sets in minutes and can be cut and removed with an X-acto knife. The duct tape of the modeling world!

Hey Max, this is a good tip and one that I am taking note of. Those are all good reasons to use it. I will do some testing with it. Thanks for this tip!!! 

I hate to keep dragging out this assembly of the fuselage halves but it really is dragging out time wise. Since there's quite a weird twist in all of this I've been proceeding slowly and allowing each glue joint to set overnight. I think I'm about ready for the last glue run on the fuselage assembly which involves the left side of the cargo bay and from the top of the windshield forward. This is a W.I.P. and maybe the next guy who trys it will at least see my attempt. LOL! Another note here is that the cargo bay doors are part of the alignment and rigidity of all these steps and fit should be checked each time you glue.

I'm amazed how the designers and manufacturers of the kit figured all of this out! I would have liked to have watched how all of this and other models get to the mold stage. Baffling to me!  

Max

Ps--After all this planning and plotting there is one place that I can't get a clamp to work. It will take two hands to hold it in alignment until it at least partially sets. We've all been there. I've had my wife set out drinks and snacks to appease and feed me until this sets up. That's the plan anyway, she doesn't seem too enthused but whatever works I say. I'd take my usual pictures but I don't have enough hands. Maybe I can also have her push the release if I get it all set up. I thought this was going to be an easy model.

Hi,

It's looking great so far.

Pat

Hey Pat and Steve, Thanks for the cheering section! I need some encouragement on this one. LOL! I think I'm almost through the worst part!

Max

Hodakamax

all this planning and plotting there is one place that I can't get a clamp to work. It will take two hands to hold it in alignment until it at least partially sets. We've all been there.

Hey Max, yes we have and more often than not. In fact, I was doing it tonight.

Keep at it Max. You are doing great work and I am enjoying seeing how you wrangle this monster. 

Yay! All went well, even the photoshoot! I only had to hold the critical seam for about ten minutes. A few scary moments as usual but all seems well. I'm staying away from this until tomorrow for a good set. I might whip this thing yet! LOL!

Max

Here's the ongoing report hopefully moving away from fuselage assembly, LOL! I did manage to get an acceptable seam in the cockpit area without losing too much tile detail by some small X-acto work. 

While the fuselage was setting up I did a little work on the space lab. I see a glaring hole where the mold didn't fill in one of the module end pieces. I'm having trouble finding any real pictures of this configuration. The whole cargo bay is woefully plain and basic and could at least be improved visually with at least a few details against all this dull white.

I think this model will make a good display but as a detailed show or skill demonstating piece, it is lacking. It's starting to seem toy like, I guess is the term. One of the problems is the original craft is extremely complex and detailed and the model just kind of abbreviates all the detail as in trying to replicate an aircraft carrier with 30 pieces. See what I'm saying? Still I think it will look good at the right viewing distance and will be visually pleasing but not a true scale model where you check out details. Not complaining of course, hey, this is what you get for $15. LOL! I guess I've got my money's worth already in entertainment and these W.I.P. things are definitely fun with writing and photography and talking to your friends. All part of modeling I suppose.  

OK, that's the report today, including my opinion, all for now!

Max

Ah, the gaping hole in the Spacelab has been made air tight and spaceworthy and I do have another unbelievable part escaping story.  The lab has a couple of small windows about 1/4" in diameter and as I cut the clear disc from the tree it flew and appeared to land in my lap. I carefully stood up and began the search in all the obvious places never moving from the area. Nothing. Every fold of clothing, ever possible nook and cranny. Any possible floor area hand swept and sifted. Shoes off, checked. Clothes off, inspected. Stool inverted, checked. All of lower shelf carefully checked with lights. Gone/baffleing. Repeat. Escaped.

I did figure out that I could simply punch a new window out with a paper punch and clear plastic material from packaging that keeps you from getting to the product. It's just the idea that parts shouldn't be allowed to escape. I'm off to search again and try to solve this mystery for my own satisfaction. Actually I'd put the search out of my mind until writing all this. It's there somewhere. One more look.

Enclosed is a picture of the crime scene.

Max

My gosh, Max. The gremlins are out in full force. I hate it when that happens. Your build is beginning to take on the spirit of my Mayflower build. What can go wrong, will go wrong.

Sorry to hear this. Make sure to check your pockets and even under your shirt. I have found missing pieces in both places. Lol.

Good job attacking the hole.

Steve

Here's a product that I'm testing on the white parts of the Shuttle. I've used this stuff before on a vintage motorcycle with plastic fenders and it worked well. It really does bond. It requires no priming and applies smooth and glossy which will be great for decals and masking. I've shot the back side of some panels on the test and it looks great so far. Lotsa white on this specimen and I think this will work well for those areas. The molded white plastic is slightly translucent and it will require all white parts to be covered. We'll see and I'll keep you posted. 

Max

My this stuff works nice at least for this build. It sprays and flows exceptionally well and dries ultra-glossy. Everything will be dull-coated for the final but this should really help for decaling and curing opacity.

Mini report.  

Max

I've recommended Krylon and Rustoleum multiple times lol. Especially the camo series Ultra Flat Black as a primer because it does bond so well.

Sometimes you have to go with what can be easily found locally. :)

Looking good, Max!!

Hey thanks Mike! This stuff goes on better than I usually do with my airbrush. Also this model has a lot of surface area and it really covers well. It really does bond nicely which is good in that I'm good at pulling paint up with masking tape. I have discovered some new friendlier tapes such as Frog tape and Tamiya's nice stuff. All thanks to the Gang I should mention!

Things have slowed down modeling wise as the weather has been phenominal. It's hard to keep Max inside with all these Spring things happening! Torn is the word I guess! LOL!

Later, 

Max

Hodakamax

. . . as I cut the clear disc from the tree it flew and appeared to land in my lap. I carefully stood up and began the search in all the obvious places never moving from the area. Nothing. Every fold of clothing, ever possible nook and cranny. Any possible floor area hand swept and sifted. Shoes off, checked. Clothes off, inspected. Stool inverted, checked. All of lower shelf carefully checked with lights. Gone/baffleing. Repeat. Escaped.

I feel your pain.

This is looking very nice Max.  Cool to see you ticking off all these problems and difficulties with skill.

Chris

Hey, thanks everyone for your comments as I plod along.   Here's a quick shot as the cargo bay takes shape to keep things moving. In reality almost everything in the bay is wrapped in insulating fabric looking blankets. At least the model shows loading possibilities and positions of payloads. We're certainly not in launch mode here. Maybe the final flat spray of the payload will help soften things up a bit. 

More on the Fusion paint. The label claims a 15 minute dry time but in reality things really need the overnight treatment. It might dry on metal in 15 minutes but the plastic bonding seems to take much longer. No problem but I thought I'd better mention it for a W.I.P. timewise.

The telescope needs the interior painted black before installing the clear element to make it look like, well, a telescope. Much better now.

Every time I start to add a bit more detail and look at pictures, I'm amazed at the complexity of this machine. Scratch building on this model could take me longer than I have. LOL! I've again resigned myself to the concept of a display model.

Just a quick report,

Max

Hi Max,

This is a great build log.  The hot glue technique was new to me and be assured I plan to use it.  

Well, rain outside today stopping all my outdoor projects for the moment. It's time to paint some parts before installation. The cargo bay is almost done and it's on to the next step. The rudder needs to be installed before the final glueing of the tail fin halves. I looked easier to pre-paint these areas before gluing. I'll have the rudder finalized then glue the white painted tail halves together. Then I can clean up the seams and finish painting the black trim. At least that's the plan.

The model is finally in the fun stage after the fuselage battle and I'm re-enthused! It's still slow coming together but at least I'm smiling again. LOL. This is supposed to fun and rewarding they say. Hey, this W.I.P. is fun too! I get to write and do photography while building models. What could be better?

Yet another report,

Max

Hey Max, nice progress and looking good sir. I still can't get over how big that is.

Hey...did you find the missing part yet?

Bakster

Hey Max, nice progress and looking good sir. I still can't get over how big that is.

Hey...did you find the missing part yet?

 

Hey, thanks Steve! The missing part is still missing. It's not a big deal and I've come up with a replacement. The window is exactly the same size as a 3-ring binder punch and I've punched out several different options that probably won't be noticed anyway. Now I'm just curious how that thing got away. All is well and it's in there somewhere. Now that you mention it, I'll go look again, LOL!

Max

It would have rolled under your workbench Max.

Hodakamax

 

 

Bakster

Hey Max, nice progress and looking good sir. I still can't get over how big that is.

Hey...did you find the missing part yet?

 

 

 

 

Hey, thanks Steve! The missing part is still missing. It's not a big deal and I've come up with a replacement. The window is exactly the same size as a 3-ring binder punch and I've punched out several different options that probably won't be noticed anyway. Now I'm just curious how that thing got away. All is well and it's in there somewhere. Now that you mention it, I'll go look again, LOL!

Max

 

Here's some paint info to put in your "Don't do book". I've gotten lazy on getting out the airbrush on this project because everything is large. The Krylon Fusion white really worked good for this project. I then tested Krylon Metallics and sucessfully painted four large panels a nice silver. It's time to install the engine mount which will be flat black and I grabbed a can of gloss black Krylon Dual Superbond which on the label lists plastic. I did a test on a sprue and all seemed well. I masked off the engine mount areas which are to be white and began to spray the gloss black. After about a minute crazing started to form as the paint was reacting to the plastic. I grabbed a hair dryer to quickly cook off the volatiles and stop the process. Now that I've learned that lesson I thought I should pass it on. All saveable but scary!

My report for the day,

Max

Yikes,

Hope everything turns out OK.

Pat

"D'oh!"

Real Space,  here he comes.

OK, I think you guys are making fun of me for the last big mistake on paint, LOL. Actually I've been missing the last few days getting some real acrylic paint experience on the end of a six inch brush as I'm redoing part of the house exterior. Not near as fun as airbrushing but I have moved some gallons of paint lately.

Back to the shuttle and undoing the minor disaster. All is well and covered acrylic flat black. I also painted up the little guy to add some scale to all of this and oversee this build from a small view as he does actually have to ride this thing when finished. The instructions show the little guy doing a space walk in the cargo bay but this suit is for launch and re-entry. Maybe he will be standing in the cockpit.

Quick report here, looks like one more day of 1/1 house painting tomorrow unless it rains.

Max

Hi,

That turned out great.  Fortunately it looks like the part didn't get damaged too much.   The astonaut does help really put the size into perspective.

Pat