crowe-t Posted December 24, 2012 Author Share Posted December 24, 2012 (edited) Thanks Manfred and Ralf! :) I applied the Polly Scale SP Lettering Gray right out of the bottle with no white added. It's darker now but I'm still not 100% sure I like the color. I'll most likely have to order some more paint to finish it and might order another gray color or 2 to experiment with. Christmas is coming so I'll take a break for a couple of days and get back to finishing it up. Merry Christmas! Mike. Edited December 24, 2012 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
composerman Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Mike, I looks really good! I think once you weather it up a bit the shades of gray begin to diffuse into lighter and darker shades. No matter what, your work is stunning! Have a Merry Christmas, Troy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted December 24, 2012 Share Posted December 24, 2012 Hi Mike, all looks very nice so far. I also wish you Merry Christmas and a good time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Zombie_61 Posted January 2, 2013 Share Posted January 2, 2013 Y'know Mike, I look at the modifications you've made to your MLP, and all I can think is "Why couldn't Revell have done that?" Now, I've read and re-read your thread a number of times and I know how much work you've put into it, so I know the improvements you've shown in your photos look deceptively easy; believe me, I know better. And I'm sure Revell wanted to keep the costs down, keep the focus on the Shuttle Stack, blah, blah, blah, but I look at what you've done and can't help but wonder about what could have been. Needless to say (I hope), I'm blown away by the work you've put into this and the results you've achieved. Regardless of the compromises you've made (all of which were well-thought-out and reasonable, I might add), I think all but the most impossible-to-please, inflexible, anal-retentive rivet-counters would look at this and be very impressed, especially if they're familiar with this particular kit. Your work is truly inspiring and, as several have stated above, I'm really looking forward to seeing the completed build!!! Al Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted January 25, 2013 Author Share Posted January 25, 2013 Thanks Troy, Manfred & Al for all your compliments and support on this project! :) Now that the holidays are past I'm concentrating on finishing this one. I painted the gray on the MLP today. As soon as it's done I'll post pictures of the completed build. Below are some pictures I took of the shuttle and the ET/SRB's before they are glued together. I took a couple of the bottom of the shuttle next to the tile decals showing the difference with the weathering. I also took a few close ups of the ET that show some of the details that, unfortunately, won't be seen much when the shuttle is attached. Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hotdog Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 This is beautiful, Mike and your build will surely be the gauge by which all other 1/144 shuttle stack builds are done. I would be disappointed if your shuttle were not included in Finescale or other modeling magazines. You should try and submit it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Hello Mike, now the time has come where unfortunately some details are no longer visible from all sides, and I can feel with you how it is. Thank you for the great photos to the comparison. The painting and the weathering of the whole stack is unique and looks fantastic. Please show us now finally the stack on the MLP, I can wait no longer. :wacko: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted January 26, 2013 Share Posted January 26, 2013 Absolutely stunning work so far - each assembly (ET, SRBs MLP and orbiter) is done as if that was the only model you were building. I've said it before but this is going to be the main reference I will use when I get round to building my stack (and of course actual photos...). It would be nice if Revell had made a more concerted effort with their MLP, but the cost for the mould would not have justified it. Instead it's up to great modellers like Mike to show us what can be achieved. Great work and sadly, I am looking forward to seeing it all complete but I'll probably feel like I did after I watched the last ever shuttle launch - a feeling of huge excitement and euphoria tinged with sadness because "that's it, it's all over..." Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mriccio Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Mike, just catching up on your truly epic build, and congratulations all around. You have taken this kit to the next level, and it will be THE build to emulate, or at least, inspire. I can attest that it was your build that gave me the courage to attempt this very complex project for myself, and I hope it does so for others as well. Please post some pictures of the whole assembly at the soonest! Marco Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) This is beautiful, Mike and your build will surely be the gauge by which all other 1/144 shuttle stack builds are done. I would be disappointed if your shuttle were not included in Finescale or other modeling magazines. You should try and submit it. Thanks for the compliments! I'll submit it here to the ARC gallery soon. Hello Mike, now the time has come where unfortunately some details are no longer visible from all sides, and I can feel with you how it is. :crying2:/>/>/> Thank you for the great photos to the comparison. :worship:/>/>/> The painting and the weathering of the whole stack is unique and looks fantastic. :thumbsup:/>/>/> Please show us now finally the stack on the MLP, I can wait no longer. :wacko:/>/>/> :wave:/>/>/> Manfred, Thanks for all of your support and help with this project! I just have to glue the SRB's and shuttle on the ET and wait for a nice sunny day to take some pictures. Absolutely stunning work so far - each assembly (ET, SRBs MLP and orbiter) is done as if that was the only model you were building. I've said it before but this is going to be the main reference I will use when I get round to building my stack (and of course actual photos...). It would be nice if Revell had made a more concerted effort with their MLP, but the cost for the mould would not have justified it. Instead it's up to great modellers like Mike to show us what can be achieved. Great work and sadly, I am looking forward to seeing it all complete but I'll probably feel like I did after I watched the last ever shuttle launch - a feeling of huge excitement and euphoria tinged with sadness because "that's it, it's all over..." Jeff Jeff, Thanks for the many kind words! The Revell MLP leaves a lot to be desired out-of-box and even with all the work I did it's still not a scale MLP. However I feel it looks better and will make a nice display stand. Mike, just catching up on your truly epic build, and congratulations all around. You have taken this kit to the next level, and it will be THE build to emulate, or at least, inspire. I can attest that it was your build that gave me the courage to attempt this very complex project for myself, and I hope it does so for others as well. Please post some pictures of the whole assembly at the soonest! Marco Marco, Thanks again for all the nice compliments and support! I originally didn't set out to do as much as I did but had some fun with this project and did make quite a few mistakes. I'll post pictures of the completed build, hopefully soon. Mike. Edited February 1, 2013 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mknorr Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Hi Mike, I just saw this thread. Very nice build although it's going to take me some time to read it all. I ordered an Airfix shuttle kit to go with the card MLP etc. after Manfreds build convinced me I have to have it. :rolleyes:/> I couldn't believe my cat being in your photos (post 36) :D/> Anyway, thank you for the detail build. Hopefully I might be able to close to replicating your work. :thumbsup:/> Manfred Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 4, 2013 Author Share Posted February 4, 2013 Hi Mike, I just saw this thread. Very nice build although it's going to take me some time to read it all. I ordered an Airfix shuttle kit to go with the card MLP etc. after Manfreds build convinced me I have to have it. :rolleyes:/>/> I couldn't believe my cat being in your photos (post 36) :D/>/> Anyway, thank you for the detail build. Hopefully I might be able to close to replicating your work. :thumbsup:/>/> Manfred Hi Manfred, Thanks for the compliment. I'm actually finished with this build and will hopefully get to take some pictures today and will post them here. I'm looking forward to seeing your paper card MLP and Airfix stack build up. Spaceman(Manfred) has inspired us all with his current build and I'm sure there will be more of those combination builds to follow. That's my cat, Harley! She was checking out one of my Airfix shuttle kits. Can you post a picture of your cat? Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) STS-133, Discovery's final mission, launched at 4:53:24 p.m. EST on Feb. 24, 2011. Below are pictures of my tribute to the STS-133 mission. It took a while but it's finally finished! Edited February 5, 2013 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Awesome!!! This came out soooo great. I think you've set the bar on how these 1/144 shuttles can be built. And while I'm happy you're done, I'm also sad to see it come to an end. It was becoming part of my ARC routine. Turn on, log on and look to see how Crowes shuttle is coming. Now I'm going to have to re-work out my daily routine. Sooo....what ya building next? Seriously, thanks for taking us along this wonderful journey. You should be very proud of it! Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 Thanks for the compliments Bill. :) I'm happy to have this one finished, however, now I'm thinking about starting an Airfix stack build as STS-135 soon. I'll post some more pictures of this build in another day or so. Thanks, Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hotdog Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Awesome Mike! How happy you must be to reach this point. Your work is definately magazine quality if you asked me. As Bill said, you have set the bar for 1/144 builds, this will be the new benchmark. It has certainly inspired me. Looking forward to seeing your build of the General Lee (another favorite subject of mine, Mopars!). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Hi Mike, congratulations on your artwork, That's smashing! Your build is really an eye-catcher and a 1:144 shuttle stack milestone. And the weird thing is, the small Revell MLP fits very well, because you have it so ingeniously detailed, with banner and the flag and the checker patterns and, and, and ... What I especially like your painting with the shades and the great weathering is, so it looks like a tableau, which may be really well part of an art exhibition. I can understand your feeling now and that you might be down a little bit to let go, right? But comforted, your joy will always remain and will not pass, and also the pride that you have built a fantastic unique stack and have thus excited many of your fans like me. And this is important and therefore don't let down!!! I'm already looking forward to your Atlantis stack, your show must go on Mike!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ralf Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 I totally agree with the others. Your Shuttle stack is really stunning and a real eye catcher. The weathering on the shuttle and the pad is spot on and really captures the look of a flown vehicle. And with adding all the additional details to the pad you got everything out what was possible without building the whole thing from scratch or using the Maier kit. I really enjoyed you build and I am looking forward to your next build. Great work and well done! Cheers Ralf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 Whaddaya mean ... it's DONE! ... what am I gonna do now? Mike, I just went thru the first 15 pages of this build and, you have made hun-n-n-dreds of modifications to this kit. And I had to laugh when I read this ... from November 2010 ... "I'm hoping to get this done within the next few weeks. I'll do some more work this evening and finish up the ET & SRB's details. If all goes well I'll be able to get paint on these parts this weekend. " You've certainly taken your time on this and ... it shows. Your attention to details and the care you've taken in finishing all-l-l those details, from styrene bits to delicate, subtle paint colours ... this little 144 Shuttle is flawless. Yeah I know you're gonna say 'there's a lot of mistakes, blah, blah blah" ... but just looking at the completed model, and bearing in mind you showed a lot of close-up pix during the build, this is as close to perfect as I've seen. When you create the write-up for Model Magazines or ARC's Gallery or, I hope, many more modeling sites, inform the unwashed masses of just SOME of the improvements / corrections you've made to this old kit. Don't be shy! It'll blow the doors off of anything we've seen ... and I hope we Real Space modelers all try to, at least, get up to the same level that you've set the bar at. Well done Mike ... very, very well done! Thanx for sharing this model building journey with us! This has been a real treat to watch! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 5, 2013 Author Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) Awesome Mike! How happy you must be to reach this point. Your work is definately magazine quality if you asked me. As Bill said, you have set the bar for 1/144 builds, this will be the new benchmark. It has certainly inspired me. Looking forward to seeing your build of the General Lee (another favorite subject of mine, Mopars!). Hotdog, thanks for the kind words! :) I'm very happy to have finally finished this one. I temporarily put the General Lee build on the back burner to work on a Star Trek Enterprise and now I want to start my STS-135 build. Hi Mike, congratulations on your artwork, That's smashing! Your build is really an eye-catcher and a 1:144 shuttle stack milestone. And the weird thing is, the small Revell MLP fits very well, because you have it so ingeniously detailed, with banner and the flag and the checker patterns and, and, and ... What I especially like your painting with the shades and the great weathering is, so it looks like a tableau, which may be really well part of an art exhibition. I can understand your feeling now and that you might be down a little bit to let go, right? But comforted, your joy will always remain and will not pass, and also the pride that you have built a fantastic unique stack and have thus excited many of your fans like me. And this is important and therefore don't let down!!! I'm already looking forward to your Atlantis stack, your show must go on Mike!!! Thanks Manfred for all your support and compliments! I'm actually pretty happy seeing this finished. It's the first shuttle I've completed and I learned a lot from this build. I'm now working on an AMT 18" Star Trek TOS Enterprise kit and will most likely start my Airfix STS-135 build soon. I already have some ideas on a few fixes and modifications for that build. I totally agree with the others. Your Shuttle stack is really stunning and a real eye catcher. The weathering on the shuttle and the pad is spot on and really captures the look of a flown vehicle. And with adding all the additional details to the pad you got everything out what was possible without building the whole thing from scratch or using the Maier kit. I really enjoyed you build and I am looking forward to your next build. Great work and well done! Cheers Ralf Thanks Ralf! I didn't want to scratch build an MLP and figured I could add some details to the kit's under scale MLP to make it a bit nicer. I'm satisfied with the results. Whaddaya mean ... it's DONE! ... what am I gonna do now? Mike, I just went thru the first 15 pages of this build and, you have made hun-n-n-dreds of modifications to this kit. And I had to laugh when I read this ... from November 2010 ... "I'm hoping to get this done within the next few weeks. I'll do some more work this evening and finish up the ET & SRB's details. If all goes well I'll be able to get paint on these parts this weekend. " You've certainly taken your time on this and ... it shows. Your attention to details and the care you've taken in finishing all-l-l those details, from styrene bits to delicate, subtle paint colours ... this little 144 Shuttle is flawless. Yeah I know you're gonna say 'there's a lot of mistakes, blah, blah blah" ... but just looking at the completed model, and bearing in mind you showed a lot of close-up pix during the build, this is as close to perfect as I've seen. When you create the write-up for Model Magazines or ARC's Gallery or, I hope, many more modeling sites, inform the unwashed masses of just SOME of the improvements / corrections you've made to this old kit. Don't be shy! It'll blow the doors off of anything we've seen ... and I hope we Real Space modelers all try to, at least, get up to the same level that you've set the bar at. Well done Mike ... very, very well done! Thanx for sharing this model building journey with us! This has been a real treat to watch! Pete Pete, I forgot I had written that back in November of 2010. When I started this build I set out to make a few fixes and then got carried away. It sort of 'snowballed' after I said that. The other problem I had was, I hadn't used an airbrush yet and needed to learn that. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. Then as the months rolled on the compressor I had stopped working and a few other things came up and I added a few more details and this build seemed like it would never end. I won't mention any mistakes, but there were quite a few along the way. :lol: I'd like to thank you for your help and answering the many, many questions I had along the way. I'm now waiting, again, for a nice sunny day to take a few more pictures to post. I couldn't get some of the weathering to show up too well with the lighting I had available. In the mean time I attached some more pictures I took yesterday. At the end are close ups(front & back) of the supports I made for the flag and banner. They are removable and just slide over the tops of the railings. Thanks, Mike. Edited February 5, 2013 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo Salamé Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) Thanks for sharing it with us, great model. I enjoy seeing the whole process Saludos Ricardo Edited February 5, 2013 by Ricardo Salamé Quote Link to post Share on other sites
composerman Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 Mike, Absolutely stunning!! You are a true artist and I hope to see some more of you incredible work soon. Take care, Troy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) Mmmmm, it's about &^%*ing TIME!!!!! ;) Now I don't have to pull out my minigun anymore. :D Seriously, very nice work. Edited February 6, 2013 by Jay Chladek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 (edited) Troy, Thanks for the compliments! :) Jay, Your a NUT, and thanks for not pulling out the minigun! :lol: Edited February 6, 2013 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Pinky coffeeboat Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 TOTALLY BRILLIANT!!!! Well done on such a fantastic finished model. The tile decals look great, the MLP looks great, the ET looks great, the SRBs look gre...you get the idea!! Fantastic!! Jeff Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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