Logan 5 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) Hello All, I have not posted before but do follow the build logs. This is especially true of Spaceman's build, this has led me to create this build log of the Educraft Diversions Apollo Era Crawler Transporter in 1/144 Scale. I might have some teething problems with uploading pictures and the like, so please bear with me. I hope you enjoy the build as much I have had in putting the model together, I started this on the 27-03-2020. I will post in sequence, any hints and tips always welcome. Edited February 19, 2023 by Logan 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) This is how the Edu-Craft Launch Umbilical Tower (LUT) & Crawler Transporter (CT) arrive in tubes! The LUT has 18 separate A3 printed Sheets, the Crawler Transporter has 10 A3 printed sheets. A detailed CD is also included. A folder was then produced using the CD material. The material in printed form is easier to reference during the build process Sub Support Construction 27-03-2020 : And so it begins! Using a 2mm Styrene substrate, the initial floor pan was dimensioned and cut out. This is likened to tiling, scoring along the marked line a few times. Then bending the styrene board along the scored line enables the styrene to snap away leaving a clean, straight line. For the Crawler in 1/144 scale, one A3 Styrene sheet is used. The dimensions from the template on the first A3 printed sheet are transferred onto the Styrene to produce the floor pan. The Template sheet illustrates the partitions on the floor pan and also the support legs on the RHS of the sheet Whilst constructing the sub-support, the thickness of the substrate has to be taken into account. On the left lower corner of the template gives an overall height to be achieved. Once this is established the partitions and leg supports can be dimensioned and cut in quick order These are now all the partitions dimensioned, cut and labelled. Floor pan and Chassis cover (Roof) also cut and labelled. Dimensioning the partitions into the floor pan (a dry fitting).s (4 off each individual ptsalso dimensioned, cut and labelled. eitions and su Edited February 19, 2023 by Logan 5 The leg supports now cut and ready for assembly Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) Hello Al and welcome to ARC forums! Congratulations on starting your Crawler thread here and keep cool, it's always difficult at first, but everyone has experienced it so far. You don't have to rush anything, everything step by step, Rome wasn't built in a day either. As you know, I'm also using David Maier's Paper kit. Therefore much of what you've shown me in your Power point presentation seems familiar to me. As one can see, you use 2 mm Styrene substrates for the construction, which has a high stability and can be glued well. Keep it up, I'll stay tuned. Edited February 19, 2023 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptKirk Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 Looks great! Added to my watch list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 19 hours ago, spaceman said: Hello Al and welcome to ARC forums! Congratulations on starting your Crawler thread here and keep cool, it's always difficult at first, but everyone has experienced it so far. You don't have to rush anything, everything step by step, Rome wasn't built in a day either. As you know, I'm also using David Maier's Paper kit. Therefore much of what you've shown me in your Power point presentation seems familiar to me. As one can see, you use 2 mm Styrene substrates for the construction, which has a high stability and can be glued well. Keep it up, I'll stay tuned. Thanks for the welcome Spaceman, will be post as I go. Any hints and Tips will be most appriciated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 7 hours ago, CaptKirk said: Looks great! Added to my watch list. Thanks, hope you find this interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 20, 2023 Author Share Posted February 20, 2023 (edited) Main Partition installed using EMA Plastic Weld (Recommended). Once the main Partitions were installed, the other partitions are added. At this point no further support blocks were needed as the adjacent partitions ensured vertical positioning. All Partitions now installed and checked against template for accuracy. Main Construction with Chassis Cover, Side 2 Main Construction with Chassis Cover, Side 4 Four Arm Sub Support legs completed. Four Arm Sub Support Relative position adjacent to Main Chassis. The four Arm Sub Support legs now be checked for perpendicularity. Main chassis now sprayed in acrylic grey primer. Main chassis now sprayed in black as marked in instructions, white areas remain unpainted as to ensure maximum adhesion to the Arm Sub Support legs. Supplementary Idea : Crawler Transporter Underside The underside of the Crawler in the kit is plain black, researching the Crawler there is a framework structure underneath. Using references of Apollo Era Crawler Transporter, a schematic was drawn up into 1/144 scale including rectangular vents. The underside framework on the actual Crawler mirrors very closely the upper partition design sub structure at the start of the project. Ideally the underside would have been incorporated into the build at the sub support stage. The exhaust mufflers are included in the kit. So for this project a piece of 0.5mm styrene is marked & cut out. This is then sprayed and affixed to the underside using the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement. Researched CT Underside Design. 0.5mm Styrene Sheet Marked & Cut. Cut out Completed. Sprayed in Grey Primer Underside Vents are included. Completed Underside Framework. Supplementary Idea : Finalising the Crawler Transporter Underside -Addition The underside framework added detail, the next step was to spray the “filled in” areas, this again makes the underside look more like the Crawler in real life. The selected area was masked off including the vents and then sprayed (Using aerosol, I must get round to getting an Air-Brush!). Again this would be carried out at the sub substrate stage. Once sprayed and demasked, the underside is ready for the Sub-Chassis Steering arm install and Exhaust / Mufflers. (Note : This was done late in the build, it appears here as it should be done in the sub chassis stage). CT Underside framework masked for Spraying. Completed Underside Framework in preparation for the Sub- Chassis Steering arms & Exhaust (This was done later in the build, but appears here as this needs to be done at the Sub Chassis stage) Side 2 printed detail cut out, scored and glued in place. This is much like wallpapering! Side 4 detail cut out and installed. Fuel Tank, Radiators and Motors fitted, Note : Motors are off set to the Fans not in the centre as in the photo, this was modified later in the build. Next up will be the Support Legs and the "Top Skins", Not as straight forward as one might think! Edited February 20, 2023 by Logan 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
K2Pete Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 It's great to see this build unfold ... you're doing a lovely job on this and I've got this in my stash too. I bought it, it must be 9 or 10 years ago and I thought, this is gonna be ha-a-a-ard! You're getting the hang of posting the pix ... they look good and I may use this as my build guide. Don't be shy about showing MORE pix. How did you cut the radiused holes ... feel free to show us HOW you built this sub-assembly or that item. You seem to be quite an experienced modeller ... are you? ;^ D i'll be following along! Thanx Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 2 hours ago, K2Pete said: It's great to see this build unfold 2 hours ago, K2Pete said: I see what you did there .... 😂 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 20, 2023 Share Posted February 20, 2023 (edited) In David Maier's Paper kit many details in his typical design are only indicated by partially blurred textures. This is particularly noticeable with the rustic-looking modules of the JEL Hydraulic Unit for equalization the Crawler transporter on the slant Crawlerway up to the Launch pad. I had already dealt with this problem in my thread in 2021, Posted May 4, 2021, what then looks like this at the finished model of my friend Michael Knobloch (mk311049). Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) which are only built box-shaped and covered with textured wallpaper, Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) what is immediately noticeable on closer inspection and therefore would not please me. Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) That's why I thought for a long time how I could at least partially circumvent these inadequacies in David Maier's Kit, which is why I got Mischa Klement's Crawler Paper Kit (1/96) and in particular I am going to try to recreate the modules of the JEL hydraulic cylinders based on his design solution. Here one can see the LUT Guru in the driver's cab of the crawler during his visit to the KSC, Source: Micro Artwork, Mischa Klement (cyana) and as one can see, the master was deeply impressed ... But it's all a matter of taste and lastly a question of a modeler's own standards. Edited February 20, 2023 by spaceman Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 21, 2023 Author Share Posted February 21, 2023 18 hours ago, spaceman said: In David Maier's Paper kit many details in his typical design are only indicated by partially blurred textures. This is particularly noticeable with the rustic-looking modules of the JEL Hydraulic Unit for equalization the Crawler transporter on the slant Crawlerway up to the Launch pad. I had already dealt with this problem in my thread in 2021, Posted May 4, 2021, what then looks like this at the finished model of my friend Michael Knobloch (mk311049). Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) which are only built box-shaped and covered with textured wallpaper, Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) what is immediately noticeable on closer inspection and therefore would not please me. Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) Source: papermodelers.com (mk311049) That's why I thought for a long time how I could at least partially circumvent these inadequacies in David Maier's Kit, which is why I got Mischa Klement's Crawler Paper Kit (1/96) and in particular I am going to try to recreate the modules of the JEL hydraulic cylinders based on his design solution. Here one can see the LUT Guru in the driver's cab of the crawler during his visit to the KSC, Source: Micro Artwork, Mischa Klement (cyana) and as one can see, the master was deeply impressed ... But it's all a matter of taste and lastly a question of a modeler's own standards. Hi Spaceman, If I was to do this again. I was thinking chopping off the leg supports (square) and replacing with core tube. At 1/144 scale styrene rod /tube, then the surround with in scale the outer 4 JEL tubes. I know this now, based on the Crawler and Mischa Klement's Crawler design. The sub Chassis and support legs was very early on in the build. I will add this element into the supplementary idea at the sub Chassis sub support stage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 21, 2023 Share Posted February 21, 2023 Hi Al, that would definitely be the better solution. I'll keep my fingers pressed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Youngtiger1 Posted February 23, 2023 Share Posted February 23, 2023 Beautiful work you are doing there Logan 5. I too have this paper models kit with attention to build in similar fashion. It will be very interesting to see how you will approach the track system. Plastic or 3D printed? It will be completed part of this build. So, where is my popcorn bucket… 🍿 😁 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 9 hours ago, Youngtiger1 said: Beautiful work you are doing there Logan 5. I too have this paper models kit with attention to build in similar fashion. It will be very interesting to see how you will approach the track system. Plastic or 3D printed? It will be completed part of this build. So, where is my popcorn bucket… 🍿 😁 Hi, you will need a few popcorn buckets as I built these as prescribed! Literally hours and hours of work. I hope you will find the build interesting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 23, 2023 Author Share Posted February 23, 2023 (edited) Top Skins So to the supplied printed sheets, armed with a scalpel, Straight edge, Elmer PVA, Scotch Quick Dry glue and spatula. The required printed sheet is cut out, scored with an empty biro on the reverse and then folded into shape and glued. Top front skin now with edges folded over and the start of the I shaped girders. Front and Rear Top skins now with in place to compare with the sub support structure (Starting to look a little bit like the Crawler now). Top Skins – Warping! Top Skin (x2) Cut out. Girders now also cut out and folded over. Inner girders are also cut out, scored, folded and installed to the underside of the girder section to produce and “I” beam effect. This part did not go very well, the girders warped as can be seen an alternative plan was needed! Supplementary Idea : Girders The top skin suffered warping, especially in the area of the girders. So the girders on the top skin needed to be scratch built. Above is the design solution, measurement and notes. Some 2 x 4mm styrene I Beams were obtained and then cut to length. A fixture was constructed to enable the styrene girders to be positioned and glued into place using EMA Plastic weld . After construction, the girder assembly was left to dry. The assembly was then dry fitted . Both ends now dry fitted. Once painted, the girders were glued into place. Also note the Arm Sub Supports have now been sprayed and attached using EMA Plastic Weld. Supplementary Idea : Floor Girders Thinking through a bit further, the lower floor is also open on the actual Crawler. The 3D image (above) shows the same framework and then covered in mesh. This would need to be carried out at the floor pan stage during the main sub support construction. So as an addition to the design it would be possible to construct two sets of girders, one for the roof area for sides 1 & 3 (As shown) and then another set built into the floor pan. The Fuel tank is supported by bracket on top of the central girder. Custom Made Top Skins Custom designed top skins scaled to size, the prototype here shows the integral girder structure matched and black triangular areas cut out to add interest as the actual crawler has holes in theses areas. Some 160gsm cardstock was used to simulate the 60 pound cover stock originally supplied. This came out a little thicker than the original sheet, which was not a bad thing. Top arms now sprayed in black. Little bit more editing in PowerPoint and then the custom top skins were printed. Scotch Quick Dry glue was used for this to affix. Next Arm Support Skins.... Edited February 24, 2023 by Logan 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 (edited) On 2/21/2023 at 5:56 PM, Logan 5 said: Hi Spaceman, If I was to do this again. I was thinking chopping off the leg supports (square) and replacing with core tube. At 1/144 scale styrene rod /tube, then the surround with in scale the outer 4 JEL tubes. I know this now, based on the Crawler and Mischa Klement's Crawler design. The sub Chassis and support legs was very early on in the build. I will add this element into the supplementary idea at the sub Chassis sub support stage. The design for the hybrid support arm done, this is an almagmation of the original David Maier design & Mischa Klement upgrade design. A physical prototype will produced for evaluation based on this design. Watch this space... Edited February 24, 2023 by Logan 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 Hi Al, do you know Jürgen Ziegler's awesome construction report and his great videos about the construction of Mischa Klement's NASA Crawler Transporter - cardboard model - papercraft model? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 2 minutes ago, spaceman said: Hi Al, do you know Jürgen Ziegler's awesome construction report and his great videos about the construction of Mischa Klement's NASA Crawler Transporter - cardboard model - papercraft model? Hi Manfred, yes I do know Jurgen Ziegler's excellent series. It is a much watch. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 Then you have an awesome guide for modifying Maier's building bricks into more realistic looking JEL Hydraulic Units. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 24, 2023 Author Share Posted February 24, 2023 21 minutes ago, spaceman said: Then you have an awesome guide for modifying Maier's building bricks into more realistic looking JEL Hydraulic Units. Hi Manfred, I certainly do. I also have Mischa Klement's 1/96 Crawler Transporter kit. Mine is Crawler Transporter kit 475. I was using the David Maier template and overlaying Mischa's design to merge the two. Next will be the prototype, which will be shared. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CaptKirk Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 Love the way you are turning a little bit more Manfred with each day. Before you know it, you'll be modelling the ignition key... 😁🤪🙂🤪🤪🤪 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 24, 2023 Share Posted February 24, 2023 1 hour ago, Logan 5 said: Hi Manfred, I certainly do. I also have Mischa Klement's 1/96 Crawler Transporter kit. Mine is Crawler Transporter kit 475. I was using the David Maier template and overlaying Mischa's design to merge the two. Next will be the prototype, which will be shared. Hi Al, as I can see you are seemingly following my way, my Crawler kit is number 443. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 27, 2023 Author Share Posted February 27, 2023 (edited) So, before the Arm Support Skins, another supplementary Idea! Supplementary Idea : Height & Load Bearing The crawler height has to be determined at the point of mounting the tractors to the Arm Supports. There is a template for this, but this does mean that the main weight is bourne by the tractors. During construction of the Arm Sub Supports, end caps were included in the build. This enabled a hole to be drilled and a screw to be inserted, this now also becomes an adjustable height device and also a load bearing medium. The load bearing areas of the crawler and will have to take the weight of the Crawler, ML / Launch Umbilical Tower & the Saturn V. Arm Support Skins The first of the Arm Support skins are now applied, this has to be applied in stages. Again using Scotch quick dry glue. The Cab was also installed as well. This just needs the Cab Spar to be fitted. There is areas marked for the other construction modules to be added, so no real danger of major problems. Corner B Driver Cab Arm Support Skins All four arm skins completed, and the underarm skins installed also. The Cabs and Cab Spars are installed on opposing corners. Under Arm Skins also attached. Side 2 & 4 Mid Spars , Front & Rear Spars and tube girders Initial construction of the mid spar, the tube girders are easily rolled into tubes. These are 3mm diameter for the sides and 2mm for the front and rear. The difficulty is when the tubes have to be split at both ends to join the upper and lower spars. These tend to splay apart, the more these are moved in an effort to attach to the upper and lower spars the worse the paper gets on the tube endings. Potential for the tubing in plastic, research required for this, watch this space.... Supplementary Idea : Side 2 & 4 Mid Spars , Front & Rear Spars and tube girders Plans now drawn up for an alternative tubing structure. This involves the 160gsm cardstock, if you recall this is thicker than the supplied 60 pound cover stock. This is where it came into its own, rolling into tubes is a little more difficult. Once done though these are pretty tough. The side spar shown is dry fitted in the top right picture. Additional Side Note : The 1/144 scale Apollo Astronauts arrived! ( Shapeways – Apollo Crew “Bye Bye Earth”) these are to the scale of the Crawler. The scaled astronauts will be painted similar to the end photo. Side 2 & 4 Mid Spars , Front & Rear Spars and tube girders The Mid , Front and Rear Spars with Tube Girders now fitted. These where constructed by drawing a template using the actual dimensions of the model, this ensures a correct match. The Upper and Lower Spars are then connected using the 160gsm cardstock tubes to the measured lengths using the template. Once completed, the reverse side is then glued at the tube girder ends to the spars using Scotch Quick Drying glue. Left to dry overnight, the assembly is then glued using the Scotch Quick Dry first at the Upper Spar ensuring a flush condition to the roof. The Upper Spar when dried in place, the lower Spar is then also glued. The installation is the same method for all for Spars and Tube Girders. Vertical Corner and mid Spars Next up was the finishing edges of the corners, these are the vertical spars. Little details that finish off the edges. There was also black cut out detail that was covered over by the vertical spars. These were copied prior to installation and then reinstated after the vertical spar installation. Vertical Edge Spar now installed. The black cut out on the edge was reinstated in pencil. Sharpie will be used finally. Vertical Edge mid Spar now installed. Again researching the actual crawler there is a vertical spar. However, this is mainly covered up with the walkways. Next : The Exterior & Interior Track Units.......Oh Nooooo.... Edited February 27, 2023 by Logan 5 Edit Quote Link to post Share on other sites
spaceman Posted February 27, 2023 Share Posted February 27, 2023 Hi Al, I thought you would try to recreate the modules of the JEL Hydraulic Units based on Mischa Klement's kit solution for a more realistic look. Or have you made a different decision and still want to stick with the simpler solution based on David Maier's kit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Logan 5 Posted February 28, 2023 Author Share Posted February 28, 2023 7 hours ago, spaceman said: Hi Al, I thought you would try to recreate the modules of the JEL Hydraulic Units based on Mischa Klement's kit solution for a more realistic look. Or have you made a different decision and still want to stick with the simpler solution based on David Maier's kit? Hi Manfred, I am in the process of building the prototype. The posts are the sequence of the build as I went along. Next will be the tractors, I will post the prototype JEL as soon as it is built. 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.