1/24 Gemini with Rogallo wing

[K2Pete]

I'll be repopulating this older thread with images

 

 

The Gemini program from the 1960's explored the use of a kite wing for landing on solid ground.

Here's an illustration from a 1964 National Geographic showing the proposed procedure.

 

 

I was gonna use a 1/48 Revell Gemini and realized that I had a 1/24 kit, which I had previously cannibalized and it was missing a nose cap and RCS section. So I thought I'd see if I could build it up with landing skids and a wing.

Here are the parts. I had to rip the model apart because it was an ebay find 4 or 5 years ago and it was built really badly ... it reminded me of my build of this kit all those many, many years ago. ( ... but at least I didn't put the decals on upside down ... )

 

 

 

 

The little 1/48 was used to figger out where the landing gear doors would be and then cut 'em out.

 

And using Dymo tape as a guide, I cut 'em out ...

 

 

The lines of the Rogallo wing are in a channel on the spacecraft's centreline, so I need to cut it out too. You can just see an indication of the channel that were on the kit.

 

 

 

 

 

And because there wasn't a kit part for the RCS section, I had a piece of ABS plumbing pipe that was the right diameter, so I guess I'll use that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete
replaced images

[K2Pete]

Just to give you an idea as to how badly I damaged the model when I tore it apart. I put it in the freezer over night, with a dram of water in a ziplock baggie and next day, just pried it apart. It wasn't pretty.

 

 

 

 

I need to build the landing gear bay and need to saw a part of the crew compartment to make an allowance.

 

 

Then put in the side walls and the back ...

 

 

So far ... so good ... not too bad for just a couple days effort.

Pete

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[Jay Chladek]

This will be a joy to watch come together. How do you plan to make the wing to keep it light enough that it doesn't collapse the support wires? This will make for quite a nice model salvage if you succeed in your project.

[K2Pete]

Thanx Jay. The wing will be 1/2" o.d. styrene tubes and the support wires will be piano wire. And I'm only at the thinking stage of the display, but I'm leaning toward having it suspended, like Gordo's on the Yahoo group.

The Rogallo wing itself will be painted per the National Geographic illustration.

... and I'm curious to see if this model CAN be salvaged too.

[Jay Chladek]

As I recall, there was a Regallo test bed Gemini built as well. I don't believe they did an all up test with it, but the coloring of the capsule was unique as it was a gray shade with black USA lettering instead of a typical blue/black Gemini (as we saw with the flight articles). I can see why the project was scrapped, but it would have been very cool if they made it work considering NASA wouldn't have needed to rent the US Navy anytime they wanted to recover one of these. I figure if the Air Force had gone ahead with an operational MOL, landing a Gemini on land after one of those missions also would have been appealing for secrecy purposes.

[crowe-t]

This is going to be an interesting build to watch. I sure hope you'll be able to salvage this one.

[K2Pete]

As I recall, there was a Regallo test bed Gemini built as well. I don't believe they did an all up test with it, but the coloring of the capsule was unique as it was a gray shade with black USA lettering instead of a typical blue/black Gemini (as we saw with the flight articles). I can see why the project was scrapped, but it would have been very cool if they made it work considering NASA wouldn't have needed to rent the US Navy anytime they wanted to recover one of these. I figure if the Air Force had gone ahead with an operational MOL, landing a Gemini on land after one of those missions also would have been appealing for secrecy purposes.

I read on that NASA pdf document that there were all-l-l kinds of problems with this wing concept in the testing phase. Lines got tangled, the 'chute' didn't deploy properly and if it did, it didn't retain any pressure in the inflatable 'chute' and way more ... And only after the project was cancelled did test results improve and remain consistent. Ain't it always the way ...

And I've only just started researching this and have only seen the red and white El Kabong ( that sounds like a new handle! )

[Blappy]

This will be cool to see!

How do you plan to simulate the fabric? I hope to see it in Hamilton.

Edited October 20, 2012 by Blappy

[K2Pete]

Hiya Blap!

The 'fabric', I think, will be plastic grocery bag. I love the way it takes paint and mainly the way it looks on a model.

The landing gear, both left and right, needs to be built, so with a little aluminum tube and styrene and a spring from a pen ... and here's my reference ...

 

 

And the new RCS section. The exterior is done except for a little more finish sanding, but the entire nose gear and electronix needs to be built and fit inside it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One edge had to be bevelled to fit onto the crew module.

 

 

Still a long way to go, but it sure is fun!

Pete

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[coairmech88]

Dude, your real space builds are always fantastic. And you seem to complete them so quickly.Just by looking at the landing gear you're fabricating,this one already looks like another winner. Did I mention I hate you....just kidding, Pete. Keep the good stuff coming.

[spaceman]

Hi Pete,

I'm again and again hardly impressed and amazed at your scratch architecture, sorry, are you a Magician, or but a Witcher? :woot.gif:

I can only say: Incredible, great work, well done. :worship:

[K2Pete]

Reference photos are few and far between for the landing gear, but I'm trying to build them realistically ...

The Main Gear was just a little too long, by a 1/2", so I had to shorten 'em. Here's one before and one after.

 

 

 

 

... dry fit

 

 

 

And my Nose gear parts. I'm using Aluminum tube and styrene. The torque links are scratchbuilt.

 

 

 

Here's the parts and the 1/48 kit part I used for a little reference too.

 

 

 

I've kept the skid posable.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[K2Pete]

The RCS section got some attention too.

For the inside diameter, I wrapped a length of .040 styrene, cut out a circle and glued 'em in.

 

 

 

Then I added some "greeblies" trying to keep a modicum of accuracy per the reference photo.

 

 

 

 

... and with the Nose gear dry fit. There's still a few details left to do, but it's coming along very nicely.

 

 

Thanx for the comments and for looking in!

Pete

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[spaceman]

Hi Pete,

I can only say,

incredible, that's modeling madness. :woot.gif: You are for me but a Witcher from another planet ... :worship:

[crowe-t]

WOW Pete!!!

You never cease to amaze me with your incredible scratch building! The landing gear looks perfect.

Mike.

Edited October 26, 2012 by crowe-t

[angry_android]

Way cool!

[Litvyak]

o_o

Spectacular.

[Vince Hoffmann]

Pete, that look great!

[stevehnz]

This is a bit good. I clearly remember that NG article & this build has really tickled my interest. Progress so far looks terrific, surely one to follow closely.

Steve.

[Rob Owens]

WOW!! Silk Purse from Sow's Ear in one easy lesson!!!

[K2Pete]

Thanx guys! Your comments are good to hear ... er, um ... I mean read!

I got the three cabin sections together and, typical of this kit, there were gaps galore! Using little .020" and .040" styrene strip and some Tamiya filler, I tried to fill and smooth those gaps out.

 

 

 

 

There was a huge 'ding' taken outta the heat shield when I broke it all apart, and with a little dab of Milliput, all filled.

 

 

To make the white channel in the crew capsule I backed the gap with a piece of .040 styrene. You can also see the channels under the crew hatch openings for the "parachute's" lines.

 

 

The channel in the RCS section was made as well.

 

The nose gear skid has an upturned forward portion and I made that with a piece of .020 styrene.

 

 

 

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[K2Pete]

On the top of the Nose Gear strut is what I think is the spool / guide for the forward "parachute" line. I wanted to try to make it from aluminum sheet from a printer. It's a used one from a printing press.

I made a few paper patterns for the housing and a few spools from styrene tube. To trace the pattern onto the aluminum, I put down a couple strips of Scotch tape, drew on it and cut it up.

The spool itself is styrene tube and the grooves are simulated with fine copper wire wrapped around it and secured with CA adhesive.

 

 

 

 

I also had to change the angle of the Nose gear so had to readjust its mounting bracket in the RCS.

 

... and dry fit ...

 

For paint colour of the crew capsule, I looked at Phil Smith's ( Astrazoic ) 1/12 Mercury model. He built the outstanding Space Shuttle and his Mercury is just as spectacular! He used Tamiya Metallizer paints in a spray can and I wonder if any of my fellow Canadians can recommend an online retailer. I'm assuming that these will not go thru the border easily ...

Thanx very much gents ... for your comments and for looking in!

Pete

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete

[spaceman]

Hi Pete,

all details look great as usual from you, well done.

BTW you have very nice tools for scratch-building in your collection.

[Jay Chladek]

Hey Pete, a metalizer approach might look cool. But if you look at the real Gemini and Mercury articles, the Rene 41 alloy shingles have NO metallic sheen to them whatsoever. They are a dull blue black color and that is the color of the metal, not the paint. Unflown examples naturally look a bit more blue than black while examples that have come through the fire of reentry tend to look more of a sooty gray black.

A paint approach which I tested once and which I plan to use on my Mercury and Gemini builds (of craft in orbit and launch vehicles as opposed to landed ones) is to first spray the capsule surface with Navy blue, then overspray it heavily with Tamiya smoke, which takes it to a very nice and dark blue black shade. The reason why I did this is because smoke is normally brownish black in color, so the Navy blue helped to cancel out some of those brown properties. As a by-product, the glossy nature of the paint will aid in decal application with all those little recesses and it can be flat coated easily enough after. I tested the technique out on a set of TIE Fighter solar wings many years ago and the results looked very good.

I know it is your project of course, but I think this could get about the same results without going for metalizer since those products want a nice smooth plastic surface and it will expose and magnify even the tiniest flaw. Primer (which your craft will likely need due to all the body repairs on it) can reduce the effect and metalizers also have this habit of rubbing off until they get sealed (which can alter their final appearance). Now I agree that guys who know how to use them can get some really good results from them. But, it is not an easy product to use in my experience. Alclad is at least a bit more durable.

[K2Pete]

On 11/2/2012 at 8:20 AM, Jay Chladek said:

Hey Pete, a metalizer approach might look cool. But if you look at the real Gemini and Mercury articles, the Rene 41 alloy shingles have NO metallic sheen to them whatsoever. They are a dull blue black color and that is the color of the metal, not the paint. Unflown examples naturally look a bit more blue than black while examples that have come through the fire of reentry tend to look more of a sooty gray black.

Jay, I guess I hafta beg to differ. Here's a couple of my reference photos. They aren't anywhere near a dull blue black colour ... I mean, you do realize this will depict a vehicle after re-entry (as they used to call it ) ...

 

 

And I agree about the shiny Metallizer paint, but Phil Smith used it, with a sealer and probably a Dullcote and it looked right on ( although I may just use some Medium grey mixed with a little white ). The hairspray technique was also used and I may just try that too.

Thanx Jay

Edited January 11, 2018 by K2Pete