composerman

Mike, Everything is looking great! I have been up to my eyeballs and have not had much time with my build lately. I just got back from the Cape from the RBSP Atlas V launch. We had the privilege to watch it from the VAB roof. I can't wait to see your stack on the MLP! Troy

Bill, Your decal sheet is amazing. You have pack a lot of details-well done. If you are willing to share it I would appreciate it. You are also welcome to me files. Just send me a message. Thanks, Troy

Bill, Thanks for the kind words. I am using Photoshop for this. Normally I would use Illustrator, but Photoshop has a much better tool set for creating this kind of texture. I started with an high resolution photo of one of the brighter and cleaner thermal blankets. Once I squared things up to make it practically seemless I defined it as a pattern. I then selected an area and applied a base fill color. Next I use the pattern overlay in the layer options and selected the pattern I had just defined. I had to adjust the scale a bit to suit my taste. Next I converted the layer to a smart

I have started working on the nose section thermal blanket decals. This is still a work in progress, but I think it is off to a good start.

I'm still not sure what direction I'll go. I'm leaning towards trying the all decal method. Here is a preview of my thermal blankets for the cargo bay doors. I still have some clean up and weathering to do. I have a second revell orbiter kit that I have for spare parts. I may try it on a door to see how it looks.

Mike, That's a great idea-I never thought of that. A friend of mind gave me this 3M Micropore medical tape that I think I'll use for the thermal blankets. I still need to do some paint tests, but I think it will hold up well and it seems to stick with like nobody's business, but also peels back up with some effort (the tape is destroyed) without leaving a residue. It is very thin, cuts without any fraying and has a nice texture. Here is a link to the 3M site so you can see what I mean. 3M Micropore Tape Thanks, Troy

Thanks for the kind words. You are so right-it does take a lot of trial and error to get things to line up just right, but in the end it is worth it. I think I might need to exaggerate the rivets size to allow them to be seen when printed.

Hotdog, I don't think I'll cover the entire orbiter in decals, but I might cover a great deal of it-still thinking things through. Here is my updated elevon decal sample.

I agree, it really leaves the impression that it's been through the fire, so to speak. After seeing her up close as they towed her back to OPF and while she was parked outside that afternoon, that's the way she was. I'll post some shots of Endeavour at KSC next month. I'm not sure what kind of access they will provide for us, but the KSC PAO staff did a remarkable job in providing us some up close opportunities for Discovery. Please post some shots of the move the the LA streets!

You have some really nice shots of both orbiters. I saw Discovery leave KSC from mid-field, about 200-300 feet off of the runway on her way to the Smithsonian-what an awesome sight! From what I remember, they told us that the Smithsonian wanted her to appear as if she just returned from orbit. She sure looks used when you see her up close. I'm waiting to see the schedule of media events for Endeavour's departure next month. I'll bet it will be a zoo out there as this will be the last chance to see a shuttle fly out on the 747.

Hotdog, Here is a shot of the OMS textures. I have also included a link to the original texture files. From what I can see they are free for personal use. They are in a .dds format and will need to be converted to an image format that you can work with. If you have Photoshop there is a free plugin that will allow the import/export of .dds files. Just search .dds Photoshop plugin. Here is the link to the original texture files: Orbiter Textures on www.OrbitHangar.com

Mike, I don't know if they will be too large, but possibly those 3-ring notebook ring reinforcement labels. Office Depot Reinforcement Labels They might be the wrong size, but it might work. Troy

Thanks for the text size tip. I think I might still make it a bit over-sized. I have found that over sizing some details can actually enhance the appearance of realism. Just my thoughts though.

Here is a look at my thermal blanket decals. This is still a work in progress. I started with some texture maps that were created for the free Orbiter flight simulator and began working from there.

Here is a look at my custom decals for the elevon area. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Jay, Thanks for the tips. I was trying to decide if I should cut the forward bipod off and add something a bit heavier and your models look great. I just need to find some more build time. Take care, Troy

The ET/SRB's have been repainted since 1985 (about a year ago) with an airbrush using a custom acrylic mix. I originally built it as STS-2,but it was damaged while being moved from a display case at a planetarium in Ohio. It sat in a box for years before I decided to do something with it. The Monogram orbiter had too much damage to make it worth trying to refurbish. The ET/SRB's were not as bad. I am using a Revell orbiter that was a re-issue in the 1990's. I plan on sanding the tile detail away and use decals. This will allow me to fill and sand those seams. I am even considering maki

Mike, It was a real honor to get so close and I can't say enough kind works about the KSC PAO staff. I was able to see STS-135 through most of the major milestones, as well as a tour of her on the MLP/RSS the morning after the rollout. Words just can't describe how massive it is and the photos just don't show it. I saw STS-134 from the Haulover Canal about 12 miles north of the pad, as I wanted my son to have a chance to see a launch and they don't allow kids at the press site and I wouldn't change that. It was a great experience with my son! I was also lucky enough to see Discovery off

Having stood right in front of Discovery inside the VAB the night of her final rollout all I can say is that you have captured the details beautifully! Really nice work and I can't wait to see it on the tank/boosters and your awesome MLP!

I am working on a 1/72 shuttle stack build. The ET and SRB's are from a Monogram kit that I built back in 1985. It is still a work in progress and I am simply trying to create a faithful rendition of the later stack (most likely Atlantis) in a rollout configuration. I don't consider myself a master builder by any stretch, but I'm ready to push my skills to see how it turns out. The orbiter is a Revell kit that I will be using tile decals and some home made artwork as well. I have purchased the Real Space Models SSME's. I used Testors Burnt Metal metalizer as a base coat and I'll weather

Mike, Everything is looking great! I am slowing working on my 1/72 scale stack. I had the tank and boosters from the Monogram kit I built back in 1985 that I am refurbishing and I bought a Revell orbiter kit. Now I'm wondering if I should just sand the tile details off (some of it is already missing from filling and sanding the seams) and using decals for the tiles. Any thoughts? Thanks, Troy

If you are looking to use the decal to create the white mask leaving the clear windows, it could be done by taking your Illustrator artwork and just leave the actual window shapes as black or whatever color you wish. Then the hard work of cutting out the "windows" from the decal sheet begins. You could then apply the white mask and then stack your window tiles decal (printed on clear) on top of it. This would allow your tile and other detail to show through. You are in for some sort of mask cutting even if you tape off the windows to paint the white. Just a thought and by the way everythi

Unfortunately no. You would need to paint them. I have also seen aluminum wire at the hobby shop here in town before. That might work. Keep up the amazing work!

Your work is really good! Have you considered brass wire. I have used it in the past and it bends rather nice. Just a thought.

Mike, Do you apply the Microscale Liquid Decal film to the sheet before apply onto the model? Thanks, Troy