K2Pete Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) Thank you Gentlemen! I've been trying to get some details done ... The Hi Gain antenna has my attention right now. Geez trying to find good reference pix wasn't all that easy, but I did find some terrific pix of it in a Museum. I'm gonna try using, for the dishes, clear Blister Pak plastic. Every image I've seen of the dishes show 'em transparent, so I'll give this a try. I'm getting the sense that my version is outta scale by maybe 50% ... if it is, well, I've learned how it's put together and will just hafta build another one. <_</> On the Service Module there are little protrusions, that look like washers UNDER the aluminum sheeting ... to replicate 'em, I punched out almost 160 little disks to attach to the SM panels. For some reason the camera wouldn't focus, my apologies. And in preparation for putting on some Aluminum Foil onto the Aft Heat Shield, I wanted to map out the scoring. I'll score it on the Primer and then lay the foil over it. It should be just a nice subtle effect. Thanx again for you comments guys ... and thanx for stopping by! :wave:/> Edited January 27, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Hey Pete, great details you are adding with the punched little disks. What is the diameter of the disks and what kind of punch tool do you use? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 (edited) Hiya Manfred Here's a couple pix of the Punch set I use. The disks are the #2 size and are 1.5mm. Pete Edited January 27, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Hi Pete, a very nice tool, which is a great help for us. As far as I can see, it fits to the range of 1 to 4 mm. I intend to buy a similar tool, but on a larger diameter range down to smaller diameters, like this one here. Keep up your great work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 9, 2014 Author Share Posted December 9, 2014 (edited) Do you know that expression " 1 step forward ... 2 steps back"? That's what has been happening here. The Command Module ... I noticed a little divot and patched it with a drop of gloss Black paint, I'll let it dry and sand it down. And I ended up giving it another sanding ... ... and when I re-sprayed it with Gloss Black, it came out pebbled ... just what the heck is going on here?? Now, I've only used Alclad Chrome 3 or 4 times before, but had NO problems at all ... this effort is getting to me! Once a nice, glossy coat of Black goes on, I sure hope the Alclad works too! To try to keep moving forward, I've been adding some details to the Service Module; Running Lights, Antenna, EVA and Docking Lights ( no, they won't operate! ) The Blue tape is just to prevent Paint so the Rad Panels can be glued on afterwards. The Aft Heat Shield, when I was scribing the lines, the compass slipped and I filled the slips with CA and sanded 'em down, then I sanded off all the Primer too. Repainted with Aluminum and starting to Foil it. The upper Radiator panels were a bit too small so I cut out new ones. Onward and upward! Pete Edited January 27, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 Pete, Excellent work as always! I had a model all painted and had the clear coat ruin it so it had to be stripped, re-painted as well as new decals applied... I know what you are feeling but I know you'll get past this minor inconvenience. Mike. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted December 30, 2014 Author Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) Well I hope you all had a very happy and Merry Christmas and that you'll have a Healthy and Happy 2015! Mike, thank you very much for your encouraging words ... ..... but uh, this %@#!&** Command Module model had driven me NUTZ! :wacko: Just when I thought I had a good Alclad finish ... ... and was about to attach the Heat Shield section to the Hull, the seam between 'em was Eee-nor-muss! Obviously my dry fit was off by quite a bit, but I was nevertheless surprised and disappointed. I thought I was at the stage where I could decal it and put a fork in it, cuz it was done. Not so fast ... so once again, I had to file and sand down the seam, ruining the Alclad ... once again! But while cooling off, or trying to, I attached the Radiator components using .040 1/2 round styrene and I put a little paint on the SM ... I'm hoping that THIS version will be the last, wherein I can attach the handholds and decal the CM ... but I'm expecting something to go off on this part of the kit. Thanx for taking a peek gents and once again Happy New Year to you all! Pete Edited January 27, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 Happy New Year to you, too, Pete! I feel your pain. But I like your dedication - it's motivating! The details are looking great! I want to see what happens to the Alclad when you blend in the patched area. I have problems touching up and feathering to a uniform shade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crowe-t Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 (edited) Keep at it Pete! I'm sure this will all come together nicely! Have a Happy New Year! Mike. Edited December 30, 2014 by crowe-t Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hobbes Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 I decided to build the Boost Protective Cover. I always wondered how one would do this and it was fairly straightforward and took only about 13 hours or so.I made a paper template, then transferred that template to styrene and then built it up. Needless to say there was a heckuva lot of fussin' and fartin' around to get it to fit ... and I made 'em 3 or 4 times. The kit's tip, to the right, will be used on the top of the BPC.Gluing the seams of the two parts.And almost done! I used the pix in the book Virtual Apollo as my reference for this.The Reaction Control System thrusters on the SM will be re-built too. I stacked 3 scrap pieces of styrene, glued 'em, and cut 'em apart and will just file and sand till they look right. This really is fun! :yahoo:/> I've been going through this amazing thread, came across your method for scratchbuilding a cone. I've tried this technique a few times to make cylinders, but I could never get one that was properly cylindrical. If I overlap the ends of the styrene sheet, there'll be a jump in diameter. If I use a butt joint the joint will be very weak, so I'd place a piece of strip underneath - but then this would distort the curvature again, creating a flat spot. How did you do yours? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 If I overlap the ends of the styrene sheet, there'll be a jump in diameter. If I use a butt joint the joint will be very weak, so I'd place a piece of strip underneath - but then this would distort the curvature again, creating a flat spot. How did you do yours? Use thin (or thinner) paper, and make the cone a bit over two layers thick. That is, twice around and a little more so the ends aren't in the same spot. As for the jump, can you place it at/near a panel line or feature? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Mullins Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 (edited) Use thin (or thinner) paper, and make the cone a bit over two layers thick. That is, twice around and a little more so the ends aren't in the same spot. As for the jump, can you place it at/near a panel line or feature? Shapeways has a Boost Protective Cover and Launch Escape system for both the Dragon 1/48th CM and the Revell kit. I have one for the Revell kit and it fits like a glove if you wanted to save some time. I also simply foiled over the CM in my Revell kit due to similar issues with painting. FYI. Edited December 31, 2014 by Paul Mullins Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted January 3, 2015 Author Share Posted January 3, 2015 I've been going through this amazing thread, came across your method for scratchbuilding a cone. I've tried this technique a few times to make cylinders, but I could never get one that was properly cylindrical. If I overlap the ends of the styrene sheet, there'll be a jump in diameter. If I use a butt joint the joint will be very weak, so I'd place a piece of strip underneath - but then this would distort the curvature again, creating a flat spot. How did you do yours? Hobbes, thanx very much! This was the first and, so far, only time I've done this. I had an overlap of about 3/8". Looking at your re-posted pix, It was glued and clamped with a pencil, held down with the 2 clamps, as the contact point. I wasn't concerned about the interior seam but the exterior seam was filed down and sanded to smooth. It was also covered by an exterior structural member. There's still a bump where the seam is and it can be seen when the light is just right. I'll take some pix and post 'em next time I'm on here. It may be awhile ... be-e-e-cause ... this $%@&*!! CM and Alclad has me in a Straight-jacket! I'm ready to the Command Module!! But I really think this bump can be sanded off. Hope this helps. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted January 3, 2015 Share Posted January 3, 2015 (edited) Hey Pete, I hope you have gained enough strength over the holidays for the challenges of the new year. I have been following your thread with enthusiasm, you're such a tough guy and also never give up so quickly that impresses me again and again. I also think so, setbacks only make us even harder. I wish you an ingenious solution to your stack and I'm convinced that you will succeed, all the best, Holy moly! I stay tuned. Edited January 3, 2015 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Well ... I've been away from this build lo-o-ong enuff that I've gotta get back into this slo-o-owly ... cuz, I've forgotten a lot of what I need to know. So, I'm gonna build, as a warm-up, another Apollo Lunar Spacecraft, but right outta the box. No aftermarket, no scratch building. I'm not even gonna repair the seams. What I wanna do is enter it into a Show, as a display, and then have the accurized version right beside it. The Aircraft and Armour builders are always whining about their seams and the amount of time filling and sanding and ... they have no-o-o idea what we Real Space builders deal with. Seams that are not only poor fitting, but 1/16" wide! Be kind guys ... I feel like a noobie! :unsure: Oh ... and it's already feeling good to be posting again! So I scored some kits from ebay and started cleaning 'em up. These are 6 LM's that I recently scored. They're the old ones with the movable Landing Gear. I'll probably rebuild them into 1 or 2 complete LMs cannibalising them. The one to the far right is the new one of this current build. These are the CMs, SLA and LES. The SM on the left is the accurized one I'm currently building, at least when I get back into the swing of things. I used Easy-Off to get the old paint and crud off the kits. Put 'em in a zip-loc and leave 'em over night. Some stuff needed this done 3 times. After their Easy-Off bath and rinse The LM rebuilt. This little guy took a little over an hour to build ... this ... was FUN! Lots of bits and pieces that I'll either salvage or re-build. This'll be a quick build, and all I'm planning to do is spray on some white primer and call it done ... but getting back at the work bench is something else. :unsure: Pete Edited January 28, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 NASA used to make pure white study models, didn't they? So one in just white primer is perfect! It reminds me too of the Volkswagen ad (although that one's got a few bits painted) and Tom Sachs' LM: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K5054NZ Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 I've only skimmed this topic but wow, am I glad you're back into it! What stunning work. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share Posted February 6, 2016 (edited) On 2/1/2016 at 1:27 AM, crackerjazz said: ... Tom Sachs' LM: I looked up Tom Sachs and see he's ... an Artist? An Artsy Fartsy? I guess this explains why the antennae on the Ascent stage are all on the wrong sides. ... Sheesh ... Artists! <_< Thanx for the link CJ! The seam was so-o-o poor on this CM that I just had to fix it up ... just a bit. This SM was from ebay and had just 2 RCS thrusters left on it ... so I filed off the dried cement and drilled and placed pins for each new kit thruster. The Stack so far. I sent away to Revell for the 2 Canard 'wings' at the tip of the LES. So this just needs that and it's coat of Flat White This kit was my fave way back in 1968 when I first built it ... in a Saturday afternoon ... listening to "Hey Jude" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge over Troubled Water" on the Buffalo NY radio station 'KB'. ... ah-h-h-h the memories ... Now, I guess it's time to get on with the new build. Pete Edited January 28, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Wow!!! It looks beautiful already, even in its unpainted state - If I had that to display I'd be happy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 This kit was my fave way back in 1968 when I first built it ... I still have most of the pieces of my original build from the 60s. It's on my to-do list of kit restorations.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted February 12, 2016 Author Share Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) I wouldn't be surprised if one of the ebay finds was mine from way-y-y back when. In the last month or so, I ran across some details of the inside of the SLA and saw all these hydraulic and electrical lines. I also saw some illustrations of the LM's attaching method to the SLA. But I modified that ... Here's the start using copper wire. I added a Personnel access panel at the centre of the SLA. ... and done for the time being. At every quarter you can see the new LM supports ... ... and with the Descent Stage on the new supports. And as I won't be using the kit's clunky hinges, I clipped off the 'hook' part of the hinge. The lip at the top of each panel will get trimmed too ... the camera didn't focus properly, sorry about that! The CM will be cemented to 2 of these panels and the other 2 will be opened and cemented in position at slightly different angles. I'm catching up on what I had done and what I wanted to do on this project ... right now I'm revising some small SM details and will get onto the LM and CM soon after. My deadline is a show on March 20th, so I've got pul-enty of time. The hardest part of this is ... getting back in the groove. I haven't even looked at this in well over a year. Thanx for taking a peek lads Pete Edited January 28, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 That is looking evil, Pete! Breathtaking work! Wow, March 20th is 5 weeks away -- you consider that plenty of time -- I'd probably have completed a couple parts by then and nothing else -- certainly nothing whole : ( Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 13, 2016 Share Posted February 13, 2016 Hi Pete, the quality of your fiddly work is always impressive, as usual from you. Give full throttle and every success for the show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) Breathtaking eh? ... Um ... that reminds me of that Seinfeld episode ... thanx CJ! As far as my fiddly work goes Manfred, you, my friend, are the master of small, accurate, fiddly work! These are the EVA handles on the SIM Bay. I used .40 x .40 square rod and small H beam slices for the supports. Attached the Radiator Panels and will give the SM another once over. Filling up the SLA Instrumentation Unit and drilling holes for the Looms and Supports. I thought this was going to take a couple of hours and I was done in about 45 minutes! Prepping some components So far, so good ... The Hi Gain Antenna has to be built too. The Star shapes are the Dish Supports. I painted 'em Gunmetal and they were then dipped in Future as were the Clear Dishes. The Supports will be glued to the dishes and then given a coat of thinned paint. I'll need to experiment a bit with the paint. I'm still patching up the SM SLA LM dry fit. I have to remember to glue the S Band antenna at a down angle so that it'll clear the SLA Panels. With the LM in there, not much Instrumentation will be seen. Thanx for looking gents! Pete Edited January 28, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ApolloMan Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 (edited) Stop it Pete, ya making me so envious. WANT ONE NOW. Great work, the inner details your placing in here is just :jaw-dropping:/> I need to start my 1/48 LM , may have to get the Dragon CSM in 1/48... Edited February 15, 2016 by ApolloMan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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