composerman

I only shot a few clicks of STS-135 as she cleared the tower. All of the other shuttle launches from the press site that I have seen were mostly through the lens. I wanted to take it all in knowing that this was it and it was worth it. I feel blessed to have the opportunities. Here are a couple of the shots that I took before I put the camera down. Your model is looking incredible Mike!! Hopefully I can find some time to get back to my build.

The causeway is a really nice view. A few of my friends from other outlets shot from the causeway and they said it was a great show. I was on the water's edge about 100' to the east of the countdown clock. It was my second shuttle launch from the press site and it too was a memory I'll take with me the rest of my life. Television or video just does not show how bright it really is. I guess we were among the fortunate that saw the last shuttle launch. I can't wait to see your stack all put together on the MLP! Take care, Troy

Mike, Excellent work as usual! Were you at the KSC Press Site for STS-135? On a side note regarding your General Lee build, here is a ridiculous photo of a Smart Car version of the General Lee that I saw in the parking lot of CompUSA Sunday afternoon. I guess the Duke boys have had trouble finding gas money-LOL. Take care and enjoy the laugh, Troy

Nice decals. I am still working on the layout for mine and I like you belly tile approach. I too would try some on both clear and white decal paper. I tried a clear test for the non-black areas and was not too impressed with the saturation on the decal film. Take care, Troy

Hotdog, I found that out as well. I ended up redrawing all of the lines and adding a tiled texture for the thermal blanket areas as Photoshop smart objects and layer style pattern fills. The end result is turning out well. I'm still playing around with things around my current crazy schedule. I hope to have some more shots in the next week or so. Thanks, Troy

It's looking really nice!!! The MLP looks amazing, I might give your technique a shot when I am ready to start on my 1/144 stack (not any time soon) Troy

Al, I have applied decals to a good semi-gloss finish before and it seemed to work well. After I apply the base decals, I'll add the detail decals and most likely add a second overlay decal of the T-0 umbilical plate and other hatch door details to make sure they have a full, rich color. I'll then spray micro-flat over the decal surfaces and weather from there. My intention it to produce a weathered orbiter. When I had the opportunity to see the STS-135 Atlantis rollover from the OPF to the VAB I was surprised at how much wear and tear she had even after the turn-around for the upcoming fl

Mike, I'm using a 2 ounce paint cup/jar. Are you referring to the small metal cup (the funnel shaped one without a lid)? Thanks, Troy

I do have a large jar for my airbrush, but I'm still wavering. Mike, what ratio did you thin your model master acryl to? Thanks, Troy

Thanks guys! The flash softened them a bit, but it is fairly close to the real view. Right now they are just test prints from an HP inkjet on plain paper. I intend to print the real decals on clear laser decal paper. The decals as seen here are one decal (split into 2 pieces to fit on 8 1/2 x 11 paper). The file is layered, so I could separate things if I need to. I am getting closer to being ready for the white base coat. I was considering using Krylon semi-gloss white. I had also considered using Testors Model Master Acrylic and the airbrush. Any thoughts? Thanks, Troy

Bill, Thanks for the kind words. I too think it will be a nice balance to represent the details without going the medical tape route. I'll most likely do the hinges as a separate decal/decals to help make positioning easier.

Here is a look at some tests of the custom tile decals for the fuselage sides.

Gene, Britmodeller seems to still be down. Would you be able to post a few photos of your build here? Thanks, Troy

Thanks for you compliments. I still think your shots look great! Did you shoot them in a RAW format by any chance? If so, with some careful Photoshop magic the dynamic range could likely be extended. I hope you post some shots of the move through the LA streets!

Really nice shots!! I saw her leave KSC from the fence at mid-field (about 300 feet or so of the edge of the runway) You can view my Endeavour gallery here: Endeavour Leaves KSC

Mike, It is looking outstanding!! Troy

Here is a shot of the SCA and Endeavour as they paused in front of us for a couple of minutes during taxi. This was shot at the mid-field fence. It's hard to believe that this is the last ferry flight.

Thanks Jay. I too agree, it will be a bittersweet day. I felt the same way when I saw Discovery roll down the runway on top of the SCA on her way to DC. Endeavour's departure is now scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Hello, Here is a link to some photos I shot of the SCA 747 N905NA during a media tour last week. There are also a few shots of Discovery and the SCA that were shot when she left KCS for the Smithsonian and a few shot of Endeavour in the VAB. I hope these will help with modeling reference. SCA 747 Reference Gallery I'll be heading over to the Cape overnight for Endeavour's departure. I'll post any new images in the next few days. Troy

Your model looks really amazing!! The caution markings are visible on the engine bells at the time of rollover from the OPF to VAB and at the pad on the morning after rollout. This was certainly the case for STS-135 as I shot images of the rollover/rollout and on the MLP the morning after rollout. I did shoot some tow back images of Atlantis as she was brought back from the runway after landing, but due to the lighting conditions I could not see if they were still there. My best guess would be that the heat of launch would have burnt them off. Just my thoughts

Outstanding Mike! I can't wait to see it all put together. Troy

Thanks Mike! I still need to rebuild the rear SRB struts as they were destroyed many years ago when the model was broken. I have this image I shot for reference, but I would like to find a top-side view if I can find it. On the subject of reference photos, I'll be attending the media tour of the SCA 747 on Wednesday. I couldn't make it last time when it arrived to fly Discovery out. I'll post anything that I get. Troy

Mike, Is this the view that you were looking for? If I come up with a practical decal solution for the thermal blankets I'll post my results here. Thanks, Troy

I'm still trying to decide if I want to go the surgical tape route. I plan on experimenting with the technique on an older broken Monogram orbiter to see how I like it. I just need to find some build time-I have been up to my eyeballs with several projects. On the positive side, I feel blessed to be working! Hopefully I can post some update work soon.

I'm glad you got to see STS-133 from the Visitor's Center. I saw it from the press site and it was very impressive. It was so clear that day that you could see SRB separation very clearly with the naked eye. I can't wait to see how your build comes along. Troy