Ralf Spacenut Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 (edited) Hello Space - Friends! My model for the 50th Aniversary GB will be the old (toy-)kit of the "Saturn V with LUT" by Contdown INC. I bought it via ebay and found it much like a simple toy: It wasn't built very well... ...l and even broken in some areas: So I decided to rebuild it completly. Some parts will stay as they are, most parts will be reworked or rebuildt. Regards from Germany Ralf Edited April 25, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted March 26, 2019 Share Posted March 26, 2019 I see from the box top that it's only 16" tall ... ... so-o it'll be extra fun to see what you can do with it. It's good to see you here Ralf! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted April 1, 2019 Author Share Posted April 1, 2019 (edited) Thanks, Pete! The first I did was filling the gaps in the tower structure, adding missing parts and repairing the broken ones. After that the tower was painted gray and red: Next the Launch Pad was cleaned up and primed: The area around the recess in the platform where the rocket stands is surrounded by a yellow area before launch. I made this with a thin sheet: It was painted yellow and glued to the platform: First impression: More to follow! Ralf Edited April 1, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted April 25, 2019 Author Share Posted April 25, 2019 (edited) Sorry , I had a bad cold an could not go on for a while. The Countdown Inc. - Kit includes a little "Crawler-Transporter" which is very simple. But it is still better than the Revell - parts included in the "Space - Shuttle with Booster" Kit in 1:144: To make it a little more realistic, I closed the upper side: Here is a picture of the original crawler treads: Source: Wikipedia And this is what the parts of the kit look like: So I did a little detailling: Finally some colorworks: I used the original railing and reassembled all parts: First impression: That's all for today! Ralf --- More to come --- Edited April 25, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted April 25, 2019 Share Posted April 25, 2019 WOW ... the crawler detailing is out-stand-ing Ralf! The ultra tiny disks, the weathering ... as well as enclosing the top ... Fantastisch! Very, very nicely done! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted April 30, 2019 Author Share Posted April 30, 2019 (edited) Next step: adding some details to the platform: Out of these parts (some leftovers and a relais): I built a little "air conditioner ": I scratched the tubes by solder wire and everything else is made of plastic: Some decals and some more aging later: I took some parts of weapons and tried to scratch the hold-downs for the Saturn V: This is the result: Overall: To compare this with the original look at this picture: Source: http://www.jrbassett.com/apollo/APCW05.JPG That's it for today! Ralf Edited April 30, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 You sure seem to be having some fun with this Ralf! And it's looking GREAT! All these little, tiny details are really bringing this tiny model to life! And the backdrop painting with the VAB in the background is a really nice touch! I really enjoy enhancing something from scratch and seeing what you're doing here, brings a smile to my face! Keep doing what you're doing! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 Thanks, Pete! I'm pleased that you like it! 😊 By the way - the painting in the background is part of the paper base included in the AMT 1:200 "Man in Space" - kit. 😉 Ralf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
niart17 Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 This is really incredible! I love the idea of turning "toys" into replicas. You're doing a wonderful job on this. Keep up the great work! Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 10, 2019 Author Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) Next step was mounting the pipes and supply lines on the narrow side of the tower. I have used a former connection cable for a CD-ROM drive from an old computer. The color is not really original, but I take this "artistic freedom". The tubes (the individual cable strands) were pulled through and glued according to the original tower. Next step are the tubes on the opposite side of the Saturn. Here is the original: Source: Nasa The tubes are also from an old computer. As you can see I started some detailing: The original toy only had four "swing arms" looking "toy-like" and having all the same length: As there have to be nine swing--arms, I decided to replace or rebuild them all in the correct size: I know, they are not quite correct, but I think they are better than before. Still better after detailing the tower and the arms: The swing-arm with the white room will be glued later. I started to scratch it with these parts: The right one is a H0 chimney 🙃. Further detailing: I have to repaint the Saturn V first, before I glue it to the tower. That's all for today... Ralf --- more to come! --- Edited May 10, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 2 hours ago, Ralf Spacenut said: I know, they are not quite correct, but I think they are better than before. Still better after detailing the tower and the arms: Oh dear ... don't feel like you have to say this. You're doing an incredible job on this teeny, tiny toy. All these little details, solved very creatively, Ralf ... well done .. VERY well done! Those swing arms and the White Room ... wow! And I'm a little surprised that you'll be re-painting the Saturn V. Does that mean you'll be re-decalling it as well? I'm really enjoying seeing your updates Ralf! Thanx Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) Thanks, Pete! Yes, I decided to repaint the complete Rocket. It also will become new decals. The part in the kit to represent the colby crane is very simple. As you can see in one of my pictures, I tried to give it some details with wires and a big hook. But in the end I didn't like it... so I did it again: This is the original crane: Source: Wikipedia with some colorworks, a little wheel from a tank and other parts from the spare box it now looks like this: I designed the Colby Crane decal with the simple old "MS Paint" and it is printed on paper. Well enough... I think 😉 Ralf --- more to come --- Edited May 13, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) Repainting the Saturn V: This is what the Rocket looked like, when I bought it: The black is not painted but thick rubber-decals. So are all the other decals with text and flags: The Command-Module was poorly glued: I did not change the LES, but filled the gap and repainted the CSM: After that I removed the original decals. I airbrushed it overall gloss white, then I prepaired the rocket for the black fields to be painted: After painting: Next I painted the silver at the bottom of the rocket and added the decals. I had some fitting flags in my spare box. The "USA" and "United States" are made of single letters! In my kit the central F1 engine was missing. I scratched it and dressed them all with aluminium foil. Unfortunately they are rarely to be seen in the end. So I show them here: I always continue to add more details to the tower. This is what the platform looks like now: Hope you enjoy it! Ralf --- more to come --- Edited May 17, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 13, 2019 Share Posted May 13, 2019 I ... don't ... believe ... this! This was my first thought while looking at your results Ralf! I don't believe what I'm seeing! You've done a superb job on this tiny toy. In one of your next pix, show one of your fingers or your hand holding it, or a paint bottle, to show scale ... To show just how small this is! Your crane, and the lovely little decal ... and the masking and painting of the Saturn V, fixing the seam on the CM, plus adding the radiators on the Service Module ... WOW! this is a real treat to see all your improvements! The attention that you're giving to this little "toy" is most appreciated by me! And it's going to look GREAT on display ... or I hope, in a Model Contest! I'm now curious to see what you mean by "more to come" ... what else can you do with this? It seems like you've added a LOT of new details ... I shall be watching! Thanx Ralf! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 13, 2019 Author Share Posted May 13, 2019 (edited) Many thanks! But that's too much praise! I just do my best to let it look like a real Saturn V. Here is a picture of the rocket in comparison with a pen before the final painting: The radiators are made of tiny pieces of a special duct tape called "Putzerband" in german. ("plasterer tape") The tape has little flutes in it and I use it to simulate the tubes of the radiators. Here is a detailed Picture: Ralf Edited May 13, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) Pete asked what more I will do: Well, the swing-arm no.9 is still missing! I showed you some updates ago what I planned to do and now it is ready and glued to the tower. Here is the result: Back side: As usual, I added some more details to the tower. (I have to admit: most of that is pure phantasy) By the way, all the yellow vehicles are scratched from parts in my spare box. One more "tower-down" picture: I'm quite happy with that. So that's nearly all for the "Saturn V with LUT". Last step will be a base... Hope you enjoy it! Ralf --- more to come --- Edited May 14, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Uh huh ... adding that White Room swing arm was "the cherry on top"! All your added 'details' really enhance the LUT and that "tower-down' view certainly makes the model look a LOT bigger than it is! And I must say, your photos are excellent! Thanx for that! Very clear, no cluttered background, easy to see all the work you've done! I'm glad you're happy with this ... I would be happy if it was mine too! Very well done Ralf! You've really made a terrific model out of nothing! Thanx for posting this thread! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 14, 2019 Author Share Posted May 14, 2019 Thanks, Pete! But wait for the base. If that's ready, I will post better pictures of the completed model. Ralf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 (edited) Here we are: the last step to complete the model is the base. I didn't want to create something complicated. I just wanted to show the complete stack on the crawlerway on its way out to the pad. Something like that: Source: Floridatoday I had a peace of wood, which fits my needs: I filled some gaps, sanded it and airbrushed it gloss grey. On the top I painted pale yellow and green stripes: Finally some sand and grass - and some time to let it dry: Grass, road and vehicles are some railway accessories. It's simple, fast and doesn't take much room... I added a little plaque : Here is a first picture of the completed model: And a picture with a water bottle for size comparison: Thanks for watching! Ralf --- better pictures to come --- Edited May 15, 2019 by Ralf Spacenut Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I just created a folder for your completed builds. Please place your pix there. This turned out most excellently! You've done a superb job revitalizing this tired old toy. And to use the old adage, you've "made a silk purse out of a sow's ear!" The base really does finish it off beautifully! It's a lovely little display model! I'm very pleased to have watched this come together and really impressed with your skills too, Ralf! Thanx Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
admiralcag Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Vert nice work! Vern Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Many thanks, Vern and Pete! 😊 Ralf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ralf Spacenut Posted May 16, 2019 Author Share Posted May 16, 2019 Pictures of the completed model are here! Ralf Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 It looks GREAT Ralf! ... and your photos of it really make it look bigger than it is! The last 3 images of the before, the actual rocket and your model is perfect! I'm amazed that the little Countdown model scales out pretty well judging by the images! And your attention to detail is remarkable! The perfect masking, the LUT's pipes and swing arms, the launch pad ... all wonderful! This was a real treat to watch come together! Thanx Ralf! Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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