Space Shuttle Launch Pad 39A with Challenger STS-6 (1:144)

[spaceman]

Hello friends,

last week, my PC has passed after 9 years faithful service, so I had to do something to get back to be able to act. But my son has built me a great new machine.

Well, these little ROFI details are really tricky, but if you can't make it, you have to bite the teeth together and come up with something.

Therefore, first here's a picture to illustrate the dimensions of the ROFIs to be scratch built.

Left side you see a first attempt for the simple ROFI at the front with a ferrule, as I have already used for the MLP lampshades. The sleeve has an outer diameter of 1.6 mm, which could still accept. And therein is inserted no tube, but a 0.5 mm brass wire, but what you probably already could hardly distinguish.

And right beside it is a squeezed to about 1.5 mm plastic tubes (Ø 2.5 mm), which although again widens a little, but about the shape of the rear double-ROFIs results.

Maybe the shape is more successful if you heated the tube prior to compression, but maybe there is also another solution.

Now a little insight into the necessary preparations before I can start scratching, because for that I need the dimensions of the individual components without which otherwise nothing happens.

I will start with the Double-ROFI on the back of the LOX-TSM, which you can see in this picture.

Source: NASA

I've now looked more closely at the monitor and identified the main dimensions (mm), and I have chosen the width of the service box from my TSM with 4.3 mm as a reference. But unfortunately you can only difficulty recognizing themselves in the higher resolution.

Red are the required dimensions and spacings of parts, and green is the most important mounting dimensions for the two feed pipes and the holder.

But so be it, the image should also give just a glimpse of how hard it is, before you can get started at all, apart from the dimensions altogether.

And now it can actually go. Luckily the front ROFI will then be something easier to build ...

Edited August 30, 2014 by spaceman

[egt95]

That's awesome. Can't wait to see what it looks like with the lights on.

[spaceman]

Hi friends,

now I will continue with the rear Double-ROFI on the LOX-TSM, of which I have a very nice direct shot here, of which I have picked me further dimensions for the selection of suitable parts, so inter alia the diameters of the inner tubes and the casing.

The ROFIs are identical on both TSMs, which you can convince yourself, by scroll once around in the panoramic shot.

Source: NASA

Here are some parts to be seen, which might also be considered for the ROFIs, such as ferrules, brass wire and U-profiles.

For the casing of the double-ROFIs I then tried it out a few variants. In my estimation this should be about 1.5 mm high, 2.2 mm wide and 2 mm deep. The two inner tubes could be made from brass wires (Ø 0.5 mm).

In the first attempt I have a strip of aluminum foil 7.0x2.0x0.1 mm gradually rolled in my bending tool.

Here you still have to stick the sleeve together below.

Here, this sleeve is trial basis placed on the TSM, but it is still a bit too wide through the adhesive seam.

In the second attempt, I have an aluminum tube (Ø 2.0 mm) gently compressed to 1.5 mm, which looks relatively well in shape and the solution comes closer. Now you would have them only to separate a 2 mm long piece.

Here is another attempt with a paper strip but a bit too wide and probably more likely to retire.

And here are the aluminum tube with inserted brass wires (Ø 0.5 mm) for the two inner tubes, what my expectations quite close to that.

And finally, another attempt with a ferrule (2.1 mm diameter), which was a 2 mm long piece separated and compressed to 1.5 mm. And this variant I will now probably take, because the sleeve is a little more thin-walled. :thumbsup:/>/>

That's it for today with the experiments, and tomorrow then follow the bent pipes and the bracket.

[spaceman]

Hi Guys,

and the construction of the rear LOX-ROFI I will now continue, the installation can be seen in this picture here very nice. This protrudes due to its double version substantially further outwards than the front ROFI and is directed slightly inwards, while the holder is perpendicular to the box.

Source: NASA

After careful consideration of these views, I have realized more and more that I must perform the installation in two steps. :o

First I have to install the bracket to the base plate and the "double tube" with the inner tubes directly on the front edge of the box with the angled bracket sits a bit under the ladder. And in the second step, I can then install from the other side, the two bent pipes which run beneath the ladder and attached to the service box, as you can see here again.

Source: NASA

For the holder I initially wanted to use a U-beam, which can be seen in the following image, either a piece of Evergreen profile 1,0x1,5 mm or a self-built profile 1,5x1,5 mm with slightly higher sides because the ROFI must continue to protrude outward. In addition, the housing is located on a pattern of the base plate of paper.

For the manufacture of the pipes I have now drawn their position in this template from the Paper Kit,

then bent them from brass wire (0.5 mm),

and tried temporarily together with the sleeve, but even without the base plate.

And it seems also so far already times completely good to fit.

And here I've tested with my pattern, the position of the holder that sits on the box next to a support bracket.

The place is already times right, but the final shape and the seat I have to think again and test in conjunction with the sleeve.

That's why I started to build the front half with the holder and drawn the base plate to 0.3 mm sheet on which the double pipe stands with the two inner tubes, initially everything again on a trial basis.

If the holder will then be mounted, I can make the fitting on the box and see if or how well fit the part.

Edited September 1, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

Hello together,

today I have taken the holder up again in more detail, I will now scratchbuild from individual parts, because the Evergreen U-profile does not match yet so right.

First of all I want to try building from paper, and this is the blank of the tiny holder, for which I have used the lower sketch.

Here it is cut, and next to the double tube sleeve on the base plate. Below is an evergreen strip 1,0x0,3 mm, which I will use as a base in the final plastic holder. For the sides I suppose then also 0.3 mm sheet.

Then I folded the holder and glued to the base plate with the sleeve, which is seen here from the front,

and here from behind.

As I said, that's all for now only provisionally, to see whether and how the size fits.

And here I have put the ROFI to the TSM, and I must say, so similar could fit that already.

Or what do you think?

[egt95]

Looks pretty good. I just can't believe how much detail is in this project.

Watching this is making me ichy to start on mine. But I have to finish the 1/72 models first.

If your launch pad looks this good with all of the detail you have put into this, I can't wait to see what kind of detail you put into your shuttle stack...

Mike :thumbsup:/>

[spaceman]

Thanks Mike for your kind words,

and take your time only and finish your 1:72 shuttle, which also has an unbelievable number of details, especially also your effort with the lot of tiles is remarkable.

For my shuttle stack I can learn a lot here from all the guys, because there are some specialists with much experience and great ideas. You are one of them.

[crowe-t]

Manfred, are you sure you aren't shrinking yourself down to 1:144 size to build this? :lol:

You seem to be catching every last detail and they all look amazing!

Mike.

Edited September 5, 2014 by crowe-t

[spaceman]

Hey Mike,

thanks for your nice and appreciative words.

Yep, when I'm looking at the close-ups long enough, I feel more than I would have been standing infront of the TSMs with the tape measure in my hand.

But these are now really the final details of the TSMs except the umbilical connections already mentioned.

There are still some smaller hooks and eyes, but they are really too tiny and not so important ...

Edited September 5, 2014 by spaceman

[crowe-t]

Manfred,

Is your mailbox full? I tried sending you a PM and it said you cannot receive an messages.

Mike.

[spaceman]

Hello Mike,

sorry, you are right, try it again please.

[spaceman]

Hello guys,

today only a short remark.

The prototype of the ROFI looks not bad, but it seems to be slightly oversized.

Meanwhile, I have the dimensions specified something else, thereby the sleeve becomes slightly shorter, whereas the final styrene construction will make the holder something of filigree. And for the pipes I'll use 0.4 mm copper wire instead of 0.5 mm brass wire. Then the ROFI will certainly better fit for the TSM design.

[spaceman]

Hi folks,

now I know a little bit more abaout the ROFI details.

During detailed definition of the dimensions I unexpectedly found still new close-ups from a different perspective on which I could detect and measure the ROFI details more clearly.

It has struck me suddenly that the holders of the rear and front ROFIs distinguish. While the rear holder has a U-shaped construction, which I was not previously aware,

Source: NASA

can be seen at the front holder that this only has a slanted stiffening up, and down is open. Without this knowledge I had built this holder U-shaped too.

Source: NASA

Here are now the new parts for the ROFIs, in the middle 0.5 mm brass wire (gray) and 0.4 mm copper wire.

Above are the parts for the rear double-ROFIs and in front that for the front simple ROFIs. For the holders I take 0.2 mm sheet, and for the sleeves I use ferrules, Ø 2 mm (rear) and 1.5 mm (front).

Now I just have to shorten the sleeves and flatten slightly the rear ROFIs, followed by the assembly, which I'm very excited.

[egt95]

Nice job, Manfred. I thought I was doing good on some of my detailing, but :jaw-dropping:/> what you have done is amazing.

Do you have plans on making the umbilical connections to hook up to the orbiter too?

Mike

[spaceman]

Hi Mike,

now but please don't be overmodest, your attention to detail is also impressive and I like it.

And now to the umbilical connections, although the parts of the umbilicals are very filigree, as you can see here, left the LH2 umbilical, and right the LOX umbilical,

Source: capcomespace.net

I will try if I can simulate it somehow. But that will probably be a pretty tricky stuff in 1:144, I could imagine.

So the umbilical parts looks in the paper kit of David Maier.

Maybe I build the umbilicals as pluggable connectors (green) that I can take out even if I want to show the MLP without shuttle stack. I am also planning an insertable rod (red) as a support for the stack, passing through the LOX TSM, plugs and orbiter through.

Source: NASA

Edited September 12, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

Hello together,

let's go on with the next update. First, I have separated the sleeves (1.8 mm) with the Dremel cutting disc, which I've left a few tenths as a precaution supernatant. For cutting I have kept the ferrules on both sides with toothpicks and slowly brought up to the cutting disc. Although I am going again proceeded with extreme caution, the first sleeve piece is flown away shortly before cutting, never to return, :blink: what could possibly have been due to low speed. In the second experiment with a much higher speed it worked well even better.

After I had filed down the supernatant to 1.8 mm, I have compressed the sleeve together with toothpick in the sliding gauge with a lot of feeling to 1.5 mm, which is apparently the best way to avoid kinking of the sleeve. Under the sleeve is already the base plate, the shape of which I modified according to the original.

And the size and shape of the sleeve fit quite well to the base plate.

For gluing the tiny side parts of the holder to the center bar I had to borrow the headset magnifier of my nice secretary.

And nevertheless I had some problems here, because these particles let keep hardly in tweezers or fix, so they can easily slip and had to be corrected several times. :rolleyes:/>

Because I was not really happy with the result but I was thinking that it would be better if I did not clipping the the center bar to the final length, but leave a little longer and fix with tape, whereby the side parts should be positioned easier and especially more accurately. No sooner said than done!

And that worked actually better,

so I was able to adjust the base plate and then glue.

[spaceman]

In this form, the holder can also be handled much easier, as here at the fitting on the LOX-TSM. And also during painting the longer center bar is very practical as a holder.

Then arrived just in time the ordered brass tube Ø 0.5 mm for the inner ROFI tubes, whose optics I've tried the same times as compared to the brass wire (0.5 mm), as you can see here.

Although this is only a tiny detail that will probably barely recognizable at the model later, but it corresponds to the real thing much better than the wire.

Edited September 15, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

Hello folks,

and this madness could also be topped and would even remain in scale.

As you can see in the picture, from the inner tubes are running still thin wires, I suspect ignition electrodes of the spark generator, or something like that.

Source: NASA

I have now made ​​my fun and estimated its diameter. If I take the diameter of the inner tube with 0.5 mm as reference, the wire diameter should be around 0.08 mm. And introduce yourself, I've actually found in the thinnest litz wire (0.6 mm) I have, a very thin copper wire of this diameter, hard to believe, but true !!!

Such a small wire I threaded into the tube (0.5 mm) and the sleeve only slipped provisionally around, ignoring the concentricity of the tube in the sleeve. And this pic came out here.

Although the autofocus of my digicam in this macro shot in artificial light so had its problems, one can perhaps see the little wire in the inner tube, I hope.

Edited September 16, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

Hello together,

so now I have to go to the sleeves and small tubes, and later perhaps also to the little wires in these tubes, of which here already one (0.08 mm) is threaded in the right tube, actually, but probably hard to see, right?

Next, the sleeve was glued with CA on the base plate, which appears oversized from this near anything, so do not be fooled.

And here's the fitting on the LOX-TSM.

So far, so good. But before I now insert the mini-tubes, I started with the holder of the LH2-TSM. To fix the center bar this time I have taken a mini-magnet which is more practical than a tape-strip.

And this works really great,

and nothing can slip more!

For sticking the sleeve also one needs firm support, so therefore in the vise, but be careful!

And in this position, I now have glued the two tube-stubs (Ø 0.5 mm, 2.3 mm) with CA and of course put the magnifying glass.

And so the ROFI looks initially at the LH2 TSM, here without the little wires, but so far pretty good.

Edited September 19, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

And already at this distance, you can see that one can hardly recognize something from the small tubes, and later of the little wires certainly even less ...

But the heck with it! In close range you already can recognize and that's enough for a quiet conscience.

[niart17]

Awesome inspiring work as always Manfred! You know what's sad? I have been considering making just the TSM's for my 1/72 scale stack to help with support and I think I've looked at using your build as a reference more than I have at pics of the real thing! I just need you to build these....but in 1/72 scale.

Keep up the great work!

Bill

[spaceman]

Thanks Bill for your nice compliments.

You also build a MLP for your stack 1:72? Come on, let's see!

This is of course a more comfortable scale for scratch building these and still other tiny details.

So Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[spaceman]

Hi all,

I want to briefly report how it went with the ROFIs. Meanwhile, I have completed the rear ROFI for the LH2 TSM according to the same procedure.

The gluing of the supposed spark plug wire I have for now postponed. Since I'm namely not quite sure if that really are during launch off or not, especially since there are also pictures where the cables are not implemented.

Source: NASA

Therefore, I have asked at the overseas friends (NSF Forum) whether maybe someone can answer. Perhaps the ROFIs are armed ​​only before the launch and inserted to the igniter with the cables etc..

So I'll wait for any answers that could maybe even clarify, and have now started with the front ROFIs (see pic above). Whose structure is relatively simply, as shown in the following pictures, and was carried out in a manner analogous to the rear ROFIs.

The tiny strut I could just hold with the tip of the tweezers yet to stick.

The hardest part was gluing the short tube (2.3 mm) in the sleeve, that's actually jumped out of my tweezers, but fortunately I was able to find it on the floor yet.

And here is the fitting on the front of LOX-TSM to see where the ROFI is only once placed provisionally.

And tomorrow I'm going to install the feed pipes.

[spaceman]

Hello Guys,

let the sparks fly, these ROFIs hold me up quite nicely, but I pull now through, with or without ignition wire.

Therefore, here comes the second front ROFI before I'm out of practice.

Thus the ROFIs now would be half finished, only missing the feed pipes on the rear side.

And so now I have made ​​further with the front ROFI of the LOX TSM. The pipe is made ​​of 0.4 mm copper wire that can be bent nicely. And the little gray disc becomes the connecting plate of the pipe.

Since the front ROFIs only have a relatively simple pipe, I will install this now but before painting. Then I can glue the complete ROFI after bonding the support brackets and then put the ladder on top of it.

And so does the fitting on the TSM, and I would think that fits quite well.

The rear bend of the pipe is still too long, and if you look closely, it looks as if the pipe in the middle slightly beveled to the TSM wall.

Source: NASA

I could maybe adapt something.

Edited September 22, 2014 by spaceman

[spaceman]

Today only a small update.

As I suspected, the supply pipe of the front ROFI is actually slightly inclined angled down to the TSM wall, as you can see here pretty well in this picture.

Source: NASA

But I'm still not quite satisfied with the first prototype of the front ROFI. That's why I now have clarified and added some details, and these are now the final parts of the front ROFIs.

I hope that the two small cap nuts are still visible, if not, just the magnifier can help.

The first round connector plate (made ​​of paper) was yet a little too big, because with 0.4 mm wire diameter that should not be 2.0 mm but rather 1.7 mm in diameter.

So I have converted a ferrule (Ø 2.0 mm) into a small punch tool, since the sleeve has precisely this inner diameter. Unfortunately, my little tool has survived only the first use and then was slightly bent, but now I have ever got a plate with 1.7 mm diameter, and the second I will also get still.