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I would like to promote my new 1/48 3D LM so I have decided to build it. Since I already have the 1/32 CSM flying with Mike above the 1/32 LM on the Moon for the very first step of Neil, I have decided to build both spacecraft attached as in lunar orbit. This is a model I built about 50 years ago, originally all white but modified through the years.

 

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The new model will incorporate my 3D printed LM and the CSM from Realspace along with a complete new stand for the Apollo celebration

 

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I just started the model with the descent stage, this will depict Apollo 12 so I can have the RTG attached to quadrant 2. It will have the same amount of detail as the 1/24 or the 1/32 I already built. For indication on the build you can refer to my web site with pictures, explanations and links to the parts on Shapeways or Thingiverse for those having a 3D printer http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/index.html

 

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Happy modelling

Vincent

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I'll be watching this build ... your building process, M Meens, always amazes me in that the care you take in placing all the little details, like the rivet patterns, or the placement of the tiny pieces of Kapton tape or the precise cutting of, and application of, the "Kapton" onto the ALSEP door. I try to imagine you cutting all the itsy-bitsy strips of double-sided tape to adhere the Kapton to the plastic.

 

The patience you put on display is enviable!

 

I realize Vincent, that you've placed this build on a few other fora, but feel free to include it onto the Group Build thread too, although it's just fine ... right ... here!  :thumbsup:

Pete

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  • 2 weeks later...

Sometimes things go wrong but you can learn from it. As I was covering quadrant 1 of my 1/48 LM I realized I did a big mistake. For this model I want to show LM-6 and I assumed the pattern for the descent stage was identical to LM-5. Well it is almost identical except... quadrant 1 of course. There are very few photos of Quadrant 1 for LM-6 and the only pictures of LM-6 right after separation from the CSM only show ... the landing pads. I realized quadrant 1 is identical to the one of LM-7 (Apollo 13) and this was confirmed to me by Paul Fjeld (better known as Mr LM). So here it is, as LM-5 this morning and as LM-6 this afternoon

 

LM-5 quadrant 1
002i.jpg

 

and now LM-6 quadrant 1
002j.jpg

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  • 1 month later...
  • 2 months later...
On 9/13/2019 at 6:57 PM, spaceman said:

Great compliment for your very impressive work so far. :clap2:

 

 What kind of foil have you used for the heat shield? :hmmm:

Hi Manfred,

 

The material for the heat shield is adhesive aluminium paper that you find in DIY shops such as this one https://www.amazon.fr/daluminium-cachetage-Résistance-réparation-températures/dp/B07DQRBV66

 

To cut exactly at the right size I use the pattern available on my web site

 

1/48 LM http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/index.html

Heat shield pattern : http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/Descent stage underside.pdf

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12 hours ago, cbear said:

Excellent work, sir! I have a silly question. How do you size, cut, and apply the large thermal blankets so that the edges are flush and straight and the large wrinkles fall naturally in the centers?

For the thermal blanket I use patterns that I created and available on my website : http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/outrigger.pdf. These patterns are just a bit larger than the model. I apply them onto the foil paper with scotch tape which allow me to cut the exact foil panel. I just fixed the panel either with a 1mm wide double sided adhesive tape on the outside of the panel and maybe one small one on the middle and apply it onto the model or superglue (a few drops on the outside of the panel and one or two on the middle). Since the panel is too big for the model it will automatically wrinkle if I want it to occupy the model surface but no more.

 

Instructions for the 1/48 LM http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/index.html

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12 hours ago, Lunokhod 2 said:

Hi Manfred,

 

The material for the heat shield is adhesive aluminium paper that you find in DIY shops such as this one https://www.amazon.fr/daluminium-cachetage-Résistance-réparation-températures/dp/B07DQRBV66

 

To cut exactly at the right size I use the pattern available on my web site

 

1/48 LM http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/index.html

Heat shield pattern : http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/Descent stage underside.pdf

 

Thanks Vincent, :worship:

 

have you measured the thickness of this adhesive aluminium paper, or is it too thin? :hmmm:

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  • 2 weeks later...

Last details before working on the landing gears

 

The propellant drains and the descent engine are fixed on the underside of the descent stage.
005a.jpg

 

The landing radar and its heat shield are fixed on the descent stage underside
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The helium vents are fixed onto the main body of the descent stage. They can be replaced by 0.75 mm styrene rods and are about 1.5 mm long (don't forget to add an extra 1 mm to fit into the main body holes)
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The landing gear uplocks are now fixed onto the descent stage
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The complete build is available here : http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-48-LM/index.html

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I visited your site to see the entire build of the Descent and Ascent Stages and thank you for that.

 

I've built a few LMs in 1/48 and have been curious to see how you handle the smaller details. Details which I usually eliminate because they're too small, like the Landing Gear Uplocks. But you've got them all, the Drains, Uplocks, Downlocks and all those tiny little Kapton tape bits on the Black Pyromark Quads. ( Gee, did you also include the SLA/LM Umbilical connector ... wow, yup that's there too!     :yahoo: )

 

Such a Superlative model!   :worship:

 

When it's completed, do you have a home for it? A Museum? A permanent display somewhere?

 

I'm also looking forward to seeing the CSM in all its glory too! You've set the bar very high, M Meens !!

( I just looked at your first post and see that the CSM isn't part of this build ... darn it ...   :doh:  )

 

Merci Vincent!

Pete

Edited by K2Pete
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Thanks for your words Pete, don't worry I am building the CSM as well. So far the page si only for the LM I designed but the CSM will be added later. It will be the Realspace CSM that I bought years ago. The LM is not as detailled as the 1/32 simply because there are limitations with printers but these limitations are less stringent than injection molds so it will be more detailled I hope that any other 1/48 LM. Anyway all the details present on the 1/32 are also present on the 1/48. I was asked on Facebook recently whether I knew there were 1/48 LM kits. Of course I do  but I replied that this kit does not require any augmentation part to make it accurate. I expect it to look about the same as my 1/32. So far it has worked that way. Herebelow is the current state of the model (1/48 with the MESA and 1/32 without the MESA). You can note the LM-SLA umbilical connector is thinner in the 1/32 version.

 

I am also counting the number of parts on this model, one specific blanket being one part. At this stage the model has 134 parts and I expect at least a 100 more before I complete the descent stage. I also counted recently for a potential client the number of parts for the ascent stage without interior. It will be about 340.

 

003g.jpg

 

034.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

Your skills are incredible!

I'm going to have to build one  more 1/48 LM just to try your method of attaching the foils. Tell me, when you cut your double sided tape in thin strips, do you place the tape on waxed paper or some kind of 'non-stick' surface?

 

And I'm going to have to repaint the porches on my LMs too!  :whistle:

Pete

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No problem with fixing the double sided tape, I didn't need to cut small strips since I used 2mm wide tape such as https://tinyurl.com/rxaxp7h

 

The problem however is that the tape does not adhere very well to 3D nylon of Shapeways so in most cases I used superglue putting just a few drops here and there to keep the wrinkle effect.

 

For the porch I was very lucky this question was recently asked on the forum because I thought all LM were the same. The timing for this question was just perfect with my build.

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There's not much else to do on the LM is there ... just attach the Ascent Stage?

 

This looks so-o-o good!  :worship:

 

Have you, in your research, determined why the Black sections on the Descent Stage were shaped they way they are? I'll assume they have to do with the exhaust from the RCS, but otherwise, I'm at a loss. Maybe shield the Descent Stage Fuel tanks?  :dontknow:

 

Thanx Vincent!

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