X-Plane Fan Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Any new updates? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted August 12, 2015 Author Share Posted August 12, 2015 Hi, I'm missing this, too :( I hope to give an update soon. Oh, Tony, would you happen to have any photos of LLRV-1 that Armstrong punched out of, by any chance? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mhvink Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 So Crackerjazz, any further progress on the LLRV? We've given you 6 months to rest and recreate . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 (edited) Haha mhvink -- you read my mind. And thanks for stopping by! Indeed, I'd been thinking about getting back to this build. I'm guilty of jumping around builds and lately I'd been deciding what it is that I really want to focus on. Three things come to mind -- the new F-14 build, the 1/32 LM, and the LLRV. The LM-5 foiling is a nightmare so I've really put in on the backburner. I'll probably give some time to the F-14 to see how far I can run with it. As for the LLRV, my biggest problem is the lack of reference shots of the truss assembly behind the cockpit. If only I knew of someone who could take photos of the only ground-level LLRV on display -- the one at Edwards AFB as I see from this site: http://pauljwillett.com/category/photography/page/23/ https://pauljwillett.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/36_img_7862-small.jpg This LLRV had the covered cockpit (and what seems to be makeshift parts for the engine? -- it doesn't look like the original CF7002V parts) but should have the same truss configuration behind the cockpit. To anyone who can provide a few shots and then some :)/> I will be eternally grateful. If there's a cost to it let me know. Edited March 21, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mhvink Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 Well, I am only three hours north of Edwards AFB, in Central California, but I don't have access to the base unless they have an open house or air show coming up. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 21, 2016 Author Share Posted March 21, 2016 (edited) Wow, that's still fantastic, Mike, thanks! Hopefully there's an open-house someday soon! I've asked X-Plane Fan, too and I'm hoping he can help me -- keeping my fingers crossed. That's the only eye-level LLRV (or LLTV I should say) that would be nice to take photos of. I've seen some shots on the web of what look like open-house events with people gathered round it. I haven't found any good collection of enthusiast-type shots of it posted anywhere, though -- maybe the interest in the strange-looking test/training vehicle has waned through the years. There's another one at the Johnson Space Center but it's hanging from the ceiling -- not really an ideal photo subject. Edited March 21, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 22, 2016 Author Share Posted March 22, 2016 (edited) I need to remind myself every now and then of the LLRV and LLTV incarnations. I keep forgetting which one is which. There were 5 vehicles in all -- 2 LLRVs and 3 LLTVs: 1. LLRV No. 1 was the one Armstrong ejected from. - Initially had the open cockpit and caster wheels, cyclic and stick controls - later modified to LLTV specs (LLTV 3-axis side controller and enclosed cockpit) and redesignated "LLTV A1" - was in LLTV A1 incarnation when it crashed (8may68; Armstrong ejected safely) 2. LLRV No. 2 (aka NASA 951) - similarly refitted to LLTV specs (side 3-axis side controller and enclosed cockpit) and redesignated "LLTV A2" - last flight 13jan67 - cannibalized for parts and currently sports a mock-up engine - used as modeling reference for the LLRV filming model (Armstrong crash sequence in HBO documentary From The Earth To The Moon) - currently on display in a hangar at Dryden/Edwards AFB CA 3. LLTV B1 - crashed from gusty winds 8dec68 - pilot Joe Algranti ejected safely 4. LLTV B2 - crashed 29jan71 from electrical system failure - pilot Stu Present ejected safely 5. LLTV B3 (NASA 952) - currently on display (hanging from ceiling) at Johnson Space Center, Houston TX Edited March 22, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ret Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 This is amazing stuff Crackerjazz - are you going to release as drawings? They are fantastic in and of themselves! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Hi Ret, I'm building the 3D model mainly so I could make paper patterns for cutting styrene sheet/rods -- the thing is too big to print cheaply. Right now my hands are tied by lack of references (or the difficulty of interpreting reference shots), and, admittedly, my lack of Solidworks know-how. I'm trying to study it and have made good progress but compared to other 3D modelers who could have finished this in weeks, it's taking me years :( Sometimes I want to go ahead and just wing it -- just start cutting styrene rods as I originally intended to do. As the build went on, though, detailing it consumed me. If anyone is interested to collaborate I'm open to it. It should make building faster. Wouldn't you want one sitting on or hovering over your desk :) Let's share ideas and build ourselves an LLRV! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jay Chladek Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 Too bad we can't get somebody with a camera drone to fly up to the ceiling where the LLRV is displayed at JSC. I'm sure it could be done, but JSC security might take a dim view of that. ;) An alternative might be a really really long selfie stick and a camera phone with a timer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 (edited) Nice idea, Jay! :) It must be around 10 feet up isn't it? X-Plane fan sent a few shots of the one at Dryden. All taken with film, though -- I'll try to see what details I can make out - I might be able to start building the frame. But someday I hope someone can take digital close-up shots so I can zoom in. I was looking at the JSC photos you took, Jay, and they're really good -- more underside-oriented but lots of info to glean from. Edit: Now that I think of it, we're actually lucky that there's one that's hanging from the ceiling or we woould't have a good view of the gimbal and everything that's underneath. OK I'll be picking up where I left off. It sure looks like the Armstrong crash site. Edited March 27, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) Had to make a new aft section fan as I managed to wreck the old one trying to reposition it. Edited March 28, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 28, 2016 Author Share Posted March 28, 2016 (edited) Edited March 28, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mhvink Posted March 28, 2016 Share Posted March 28, 2016 Whohoo! The bus is on the road again! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Thanks, Mike! One of my resolutions for 2016 was to build a little everyday so that I'll have some update every week-- now the first quarter of the year's over (that flew by quickly, didn't it) and nothing close to that has happened :) so I'll make sure to devote some time to this build. I was looking at the photo I uploaded and the engine looked a bit short -- and realized an entire turbine section was missing. :) That's the problem with picking up a project again after too long a break. I've mislaid my notebook and have totally forgotten all the mental notes I took along the way. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 (edited) Some progress on the aft fan section. Edited March 30, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 I....uhhh....it's umm.......I....... Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) Hi, Bill, thanks! :) Making the missing turbine section. I'm glad I just need to build the casing and that no blades are visible :) I don't remember making as many parts on any of the other sections. The bottom cone is too narrow at 0.5 mm height so I couldn't cut one from styrene. Just used some bondo. I wish I'd taken more photos but sometimes when I do a testfit and I hit a sweet spot I just have to glue it in place and there goes the chance to get a photo of the part before it goes on permanently. Edited April 3, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 They aren't glued together as I still have to paint the turbine fans. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 That ... is frakkin gorgeous! The amount of detail, at that tiny size is ...... what can I say ...? :o For wiring and hydraulic lines, have you ever tried to stretch sprue? It may be a terrific scale solution. Keep up the great work! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 3, 2016 Author Share Posted April 3, 2016 (edited) Hi Pete! Yeah, I'm gonna need lots of stretched sprue, wires and prayers. It's a scary proposition. Getting dizzy just looking at Tony's engine photos -- I'm still trying to convince myself that it's gonna be fun :( Edited April 3, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 ok now you're just showing off.. Seriously though. Very inspiring. You're very good at breaking down complex shapes into their roots and building it up. Very keen eye on that. I just chicken out and give up and have shapeways print the parts for me. I really should take some lessons from you on scratch-building shapes. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 7, 2016 Share Posted April 7, 2016 (edited) Hi CJ, incredible madness, this is again scratch-building in perfection, you are a true sorcerer and have always new stunning ideas, congratulations. The solution with the rods for the screws I have also just tried with the screw rings on the flanges of the Rainbirds. But unfortunately my screw-hole circle for 12 screws is only 2.9 mm. Edited April 7, 2016 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 (edited) Hi Bill, Manfred, thanks! Now my head's too big for the doorway. Didn't have time to do some plastic this week -- or actually I had time but felt too tired to fight myself to wake up at 5am religiously like I was able to do just a few weeks ago. Guys, I've had a change of heart. I decided I'll be building the one Neil Armstrong punched out of -- the LLRV 1 retrofitted to LLTV-A1 configuration. Didn't want to at first because it seemed to have an unsightly insect's head for a cockpit. But after viewing the crash vid over and over the shape has grown on me. Besides, the model of the crashed vehicle will have more of a "story" to tell. The Weber zero-zero ejection seat details will no longer be visible when I cover up the cockpit but I could always make it detachable for display. Sadly there won't be any more helicopter controls and foot pedals and no more caster wheels -- those would've looked good in a model. I'll also have to accept the fact that it will have pogo sticks for landing gears : ( I'm giving myself until May 6, 2018 (50th anniversary of the crash) to complete the scratchbuilt model. That target should be realistic enough. Had to model the landing gear again because of that fateful hard disk crash last year. Edited April 11, 2016 by crackerjazz Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 I think it's a good decision. It's the one most people who know about, even the casual space enthusiast kknows the story so there ya go. Curious about your Solidworks work flow. Are you creating these parts in a top-down in-context assembly or is this done in one big part file and later broken in to individual solid bodies? Just curious because I've done a little bit of both before and would think this complicated a model would be best as a large assembly. Always fun to hear how others approach a subject. Keep up the great work. Can't wait for 2018 now. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.