MarkD

I am making an on orbit model of an orbiter and am planning to scratchbuild the entire thing. How far should the gaps be between the exposed ribs? For example http://www.ninfinger.org/models/hst_article/fig01.jpg and http://galaxywire.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/empty-shuttle-payload-bay.jpg

I'll give that a try. The Floquil rust paint I did get made the ET look like what STS-26 external tank looked like with a very dark rust shade on most of the tank. The 51L tank is lighter in color than that.

On the Monogram kit it says to use a "burnt orange" paint for the ET's main color. I didn't see any such color at the paint shelf at the hobby store. What would you recommend guys?

No kidding. :)

Will the kit also include the weather protection system that protects the stack? The 1986 kit was the original look for the pad.

Will there be a 1/72 scale set for an LC-39 for the recently re-released Monogram shuttle stack? :)

Someone posted this video on the Monogram 1/72 scale shuttle stack kit.

any new photos of your model? :) Given how the kit never adds the cable tray at all. You can get Plastruct U channel 2.4mm strips. Just look for Plastruct no. 90582. That fits more to the size of the cable tray on the LO2 tank.

More photos of the new shuttle ET. Fully painted and beginning to add the detailing. http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/238/6/5/two_external_tanks_by_onigojirakaiju-d47x4x0.jpg Here is a photo from today. http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/238/8/2/atlantis_and_new_model_by_onigojirakaiju-d47x50g.jpg For the new cable tray I used 2.4mm U channel strips. Plastruct no. 90582. The ET umbilical plates on Atlantis. I didn't feel like cutting into the orbiter so I mimicked it by using flat sheet styrene. The new tank and Discovery will be fully 100% the real look. http://fc03.deviantart

Amazing model there. Will you be making another one showing the entire stack? I'll scratchbuild mine. Thanks for the tips on your thread on how to make them. :)

Any tips for making the two ET/ orbiter umbilicals on the bottom of the orbiter?

I'll give it a try to add these on the tank. On painting the tank. There is no Chrome Yellow paint in a spray can. I looked. This photo is what inspired me to paint my kits. http://diodon349.com/general_stuff/Gstuff_images/STS-107_Columbia_on_pad.jpg Compare to my models, the tank color sort of matches.

Here is some reference from STS-26R http://enterfiringroom.ksc.nasa.gov/Images/Gallery/STS26R.jpg Challenger http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/572745main_Shuttle_Challenger.jpg http://pictures.replayphotos.com/images/AMERI/xlg/ap-americana-space-space-shuttle-challenger-ameri-space-x-00034xlg.jpg

You can always spoof the new Apollo 18 movie coming out soon. :)

K2Pete: I use a mix of the thin and thick. The ET needs thick paint to cover that gritty look the kit has for the LO2 and LH2 tanks. The brushes also vary depending on the part I'm painting. The ET needs a big brush given the obvious. My earlier scrib attempts were by eye only, no template to follow. The new kits I am using a template. Taping on the screen mesh and cut into that with a knife to get the lines. All the kits you see are old, save for the Soyuz. The new kits I'm making are going to be better. The one detail for the tank I am stumped on is the tiny IRF foam ramps seen on

I use a brush to paint the models. :) I wish I had one for the 1/72 scale external tank. That new one already took up 3 bottles of Chrome Yellow paint. Well the screen mesh will help for scribbing. It's more uniform when it comes to the V shaped angle the tiles are going. My last two scribbings on Discovery and Columbia look a mess. I thought the screen would help. I recently got a new orbiter, Challenger.

Here are more photos. The decals http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/155/c/2/shuttle_decals_compared_by_onigojirakaiju-d3i2gm2.jpg The newly carved aft struts (sorry about the flash of the camera. http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/231/0/3/et_truss_new_look_by_onigojirakaiju-d473non.jpg The newly carved ET access door and GUCP. http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/231/a/6/et_access_door_addition_by_onigojirakaiju-d473nqf.jpg Atlantis and Columbia. (Columbia is over a decade old model, hence why she looks like that.) http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/231/f/8/atlantis_and_c

The Ariel Bold does look close to the font used on the shuttle logos.

I recently got some blank decal paper. The thing is Out of my old decal sheets, none have the Challenger name on them. Also I am making an on orbit model to be named Intrepid. Any suggestions or tips to help? Intrepid is the name of a space shuttle simulator at Huntsville's Space Camp and also the fictional shuttle in the horror movie Moon Trap.

That's cool. :) Yeah it does look close to the real thing now. As to the little lip at the end of the bell, I'd use 0.13mm rod styrene. It's thin enough to do the part.

Here is the screen method I mentioned for adding the tiles. http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/225/a/8/screen_mesh_tiles_by_onigojirakaiju-d46f754.jpg Here is the newly painted manhole covers of the aft dome of my Atlantis model. http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/225/a/e/atlantis_et_dome_by_onigojirakaiju-d46f6zd.jpg The revised Soyuz truss painted last night. http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2011/225/8/6/soyuz_truss_painted_by_onigojirakaiju-d46f79a.jpg I just placed the upper stage on there as I still have work to do with it. The new model being painted. http://fc07.devia

Well considering the company that made it doesn't anymore as I can find nothing on it.

The revised parts do look close to identical to the real thing. The OMS engines now look accurate. :) Will there be resin molds of Columbia's SILTS pod and RCC nose cap? The nose cap part of the SILTS had a cross of dots near the center of the cap.

They're side by side in these new NASA photos. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6399-m.jpg http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6400-m.jpg http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6402-m.jpg http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6397-m.jpg http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6401-m.jpg http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/images/medium/2011-6380-m.jpg A close up of Endeavour.

Those look cool. Yeah the OMS engine you trimmed down looks very close to the real thing. :) Will there be the Forward RCS made as well?