K2Pete Posted April 6, 2018 Share Posted April 6, 2018 (edited) I want to build up a few more of my Lunar Modules in 1/48 for next year's 50th anniversary of the 1st Lunar Landing by the USA. And seeing that Vincent Meens has a 1/48 Rover available, decided to build one up. Plus, seeing all the 3D products, the various materials used and the accuracy and details of the prints, bought one of 'em. Now, my very first model that I built when I got into this hobby 10 years ago was a 1/48 Rover ... and it was built from scratch. More of a trial by ordeal but ... 100% fun! The research and then trying to replicate something using bits of styrene, wire, wood and other materials was a hoot! Here's what I got from Shapeways ... 32 parts in 23 separate bags There are no build instructions and lots of little parts, but I used my own research and this printout from the site as a guide. I put 'em all in my Ultrasound tub with a drop of dishwashing liquid for a total of 24 minutes. The detail that is reproduced, at this scale, is unbelievable My scratch build and the new part. I'm pleased that they scale out pretty well. I always wondered how close I got. Now, to attach all these FUD parts, I'm gonna try CA glue. I hope I got all the wax of of 'em. Pete Edited April 6, 2018 by K2Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted April 6, 2018 Share Posted April 6, 2018 Wow, this looks like a fun build. Vincent does some amazing work! I wish I had the time and resources to do more 3d modeling but once I'm done at work doing modeling it's hard to want to get in the zone of doing any of it at home. One day I'll get it going again though. Can't wait to see this all come together! Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 6, 2018 Share Posted April 6, 2018 Hi Pete, the FUD parts look awesome. From what kind of material are the other parts, are the wheels made of WSF? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainObvious Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Your scratch built rover looks amazing. I'll be following with interest! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 7, 2018 Author Share Posted April 7, 2018 The Wheels, Manfred, are Metallic Plastic ... here's the link to the Shapeways page. A few other tiny parts are WSF. https://www.shapeways.com/shops/spacemodels?section=1%2F48+Lunar+Rover&s=0 And Captain, Thanx! The surface is quite rough ... but because it's replicating a coarse mesh on the real thing, I'm not concerned. The tread pattern detail is excellent I had to clean up the hole and the fit is perfect! And the first coat ... with Flat White and Aluminum enamel Vincent, if you're watching, this is the horn for the Hi Gain antenna and I assume you've attached the horizontal piece for handling convenience and it should be removed ... am I correct? Thanx for looking in gents Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Hi Pete, how was the adhesion of the paint, any problems? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 7, 2018 Author Share Posted April 7, 2018 The paint is a thinned coat, that I brushed on, so I can see if it adheres and if I had removed all the wax. So far, the paint went on well and looks good. I'll put on one more good coat, with a paint brush ... Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 7, 2018 Share Posted April 7, 2018 Do you want to airbrush it or with the brush? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lunokhod 2 Posted April 8, 2018 Share Posted April 8, 2018 20 hours ago, K2Pete said: 20 hours ago, K2Pete said: Vincent, if you're watching, this is the horn for the Hi Gain antenna and I assume you've attached the horizontal piece for handling convenience and it should be removed ... am I correct? Yes this correct, the horizontal part needs to be removed. It was added because any printed part must at least have two axes ≥ 2.49 mm which was not the case here at 1/48. I can't wait to see your rover complete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 9, 2018 Author Share Posted April 9, 2018 Brush Painted Manfred. This is so tiny that masking and airbrushing would be a waste of time. Thanx Vincent! For the Hi Gain Dish, I used a blister pack and roughly cut out a disk. Drilling a locator hole is delicate work ... Somehow I lost a part. I don't have a carpet under my workbench, so no Carpet Monster ... the part just evaporated ... So I made a new part from Aluminum tube and glued in the Shapeways part. I have to say, CA glue takes more than just a few seconds to work. I've had to hold parts together for close to 30 seconds before I let go. And even then I let go cautiously. While drilling a small locator hole in the Lo-Gain antenna, it shattered ... so I had to make a new one. Starting to Paint and assemble There are 3 "rock' bags in the kit. I thought they were all the same, but this one, with the 2 pegs, goes on the back of the Equipment Pallet ... not here on the gate. But I just trimmed off a peg and CA glued it on ... The CA glue worked nicely on this Dish support and the Clear plastic Blister pack piece. Assembling the Lo Gain antenna onto the console ... Gluing the wheels on. The Metallic plastic really absorbs the CA glue, but it does make a nice strong bond. The TV camera is on the lower right. Using thin copper wire for the cabling. And attach the Hi Gain Antenna Dish Almost done. About 96.5% done ... I have to rebuild a piece on the rear equipment pallet, maybe add some straps and seat belts and do some paint touch ups ... and it'll be done. Plus a few decals. I'll have to make my own. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 9, 2018 Share Posted April 9, 2018 Hi Pete, a delicate job for steady hands and good eyes, and first of all Sneezing forbidden! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Incredible stuff, Pete! That's a lot of detail in such a small footprint -- fantastic 3D print. Your scratchbuilt one is gorgeous, too, of course : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted April 10, 2018 Share Posted April 10, 2018 On 4/9/2018 at 5:37 AM, K2Pete said: Almost done. About 96.5% done ... Amazing progress. And don’t sell your self short. That’s easily 96.7% done..... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 (edited) Thanx gents! I made a couple of US flag decals and applied 'em, so it's now done. A nice ... quick build. Just a comparison ...my scratchbuild effort compared to the way-y-y more accurate 3D version. I also have the EVA models 1/35 scale version too ... The EVA models 1/32 version I did make a couple of assembly errors ... the fenders have a bit of an extended skirt, which I thought was the 'map repair' to the Apollo 17 Rover, but they were, in fact the front fenders ... so the 2 rear fenders should be on the front wheels. One other thing ... Vincent had 'cast' the brush on the front of the LRV. I clipped it off after referring to a photo, which was incorrect. I shoulda left the brush where it was. I did add the seat belts ( hung on the centre console ) and some straps on the rear equipment area and I rebuilt the antenna on the aft pallet. I may just rebuild it again and do a better job with some stretched sprue. ... and a couple pix of it in a diorama setting ... Thanx guys! Pete Edited April 25, 2018 by K2Pete added an image Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Fantastic job, Pete!!! Love that dio! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 13, 2018 Author Share Posted April 13, 2018 Thanx CJ! This diorama included my original, scratch built, Rover and this LM is Apollo 15's ... these 2 models, the LM and the LRV were my very 1st models built 10 or 11 years ago. This diorama won a 3rd place at the IPMS NATS in 2009 ... IIRC. This still holds a soft spot in my heart ... just like our first love! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Great job! Beautiful dio also. Looks just like the real set piece they used to film it....I'm kidding I'm kidding...It was in the desert really. Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
crackerjazz Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 That's sacrilege, Bill : ) Please -- no mention of such or it will kill our fantasies. Hey, do you remember that movie called Capricorn One? : ) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ret Posted April 13, 2018 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Lovely job Pete - have fond memories of watching Apollo 15 at a neighbors cottage up north that summer of '71. I have to say you're a little harsh on your scatch build - it's fantastic! -ret Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptainObvious Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 Nice job Pete. Fantastic diorama too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 20, 2018 Author Share Posted April 20, 2018 On 4/13/2018 at 10:51 AM, niart17 said: Great job! Beautiful dio also. Looks just like the real set piece they used to film it....I'm kidding I'm kidding...It was in the desert really. Oh no-o-o you dint ... you din't really say THAT did you ??? ............ you Shuttle guys ... sheesh! Thanx Ret! I remember going all over town looking for a LIFE magazine with the Apollo 15 pix in it, I had to walk back then, and when I finally found one, was so-o-o disappointed that it was only a short 2 or 4 page spread ... man ... but, I still have it! I'm gonna try to get to TorCan next month ... I'm gonna bring a bunch of my Apollo models. There's a NASA Theme Award this year. I missed Guelph and HeritageCon due to some minor health issues and really hope I can get up there to TorCan!!! Thanx Captain! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Ground control to major Pete, a really stunning dio. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you for TorCan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ApolloMan Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Wow Pete I don't remember seeing this thread, that is a very nice 1/48 LR. I recall your great scratch built one and thought about making one myself. Since Shapeways make them now, and not bad prices. I was looking at there 1/24 scale rover though. If it looks and goes together as well as this one, I'm going to take the plunge. great work Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mike J. Idacavage Posted April 21, 2018 Share Posted April 21, 2018 Fantastic work as usual Pete! You have inspired me to pull out my copy of the EVA Models Lunar Rover and bump it up my build list. Your work is truly inspirational! Have fun modeling! Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ricardo Salamé Posted April 27, 2018 Share Posted April 27, 2018 Great Job Pete!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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