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Dual Monogram 1/72 Space Shuttle


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Well all, I've had a nice break from the Columbia build. As I watch a few of you work on your 1/72 shuttles, it's given me motivation to continue the one I've started a year ago and build a new one along side of it. Some of you have asked me about the technique I've used to create tiles. This is where the new model comes in. Only this time, I will be using .010 black styrene for the HRSI's and .010 white styrene for the LRSI's. Then when it comes time, I will use cloth tape for the Nomex AFRSI's.

Now here's the big question...Which of the six orbiter do I base these of off?

Here's a few pictures of the what I've started on the first one....

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On the above orbiter, I used DutyCat's beany cap. I thought it was a nice addition to the project and it solved a lot of problems I was having with the oversized windows. However, watching Johnlove's approach to the windows has inspired me to go with another way....

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Hello Mike,

great start with the new Orbiter ??? so far. :thumbsup:

If I see that right, you are using stripes for the Belly tiles, which you engraves, isn't it? :woot.gif:

I stay tuned.

:wave:

Edited by spaceman
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Thanks Manfred.

So it's time to catch up the newer model with the one that is partially done. This is an older Monogram kit I pick up from Ebay for next to nothing. Most of the parts were there except for one of the wheel assemblies on the main landing gear. Normally this would be a problem because I plan on making this model with the gears down. On the last kit, I did not use the gears because I will place it upright with the stack. The wheel assemblies are plentiful.

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Placing the two halfs of the fuselage together has brought back the memories of tasks that is coming. But I have learned a few good lessons from the first one on what I should do and what not to do.:o/> I have a few Ideas of how I'm going to proceed with this one. I have already made one decision, the landing gears will be deployed and I'm going to create a scene so it looks like it's landing.

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With that decision on landing, we have to show that the orbiter needs to slow down. So I'm going to use the vertical stabilizer with the rudder in the open position to act as speed brakes. I wish Revell could retool there molds because there are aspects of the Revell model that I wish were on the Monogram. The number one item is the windows (of course), and the second is the speed brake/rudder. Otherwise the Monogram, I believe, is the better of the two.

Because of the minor detail, I decided in order to show open speed brakes by carefully cutting them out of the fixed stabilizer. Not to hard of a chore, but I will need to fill in a few areas of the inside to make them flush.

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And the vertical stabilizer now glued together....

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Another thing that needs to be done on the Monogram orbiter to show the ending of a mission is the Reaction Control Systems need to be open. I've decided to drill and file out the flat molded areas on ports and plan on coming up with a more detailed way of showing the systems. I will probably use milliput or something. Not quite sure how I'm going to approach this yet.:huh:/>

Shuttle341024x768_zps1de192e8.jpg

Well, until next time....:wave:/>

Oh, and does someone have a template of the windows in a 1/72 scale that I can use?

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Hello Mike,

great start with the new Orbiter ??? so far. :thumbsup:/>

If I see that right, you are using stripes for the Belly tiles, which you engraves, isn't it? :woot.gif:/>

I stay tuned.

:wave:/>

Hey Mike, I'm still waiting for an answer. :rolleyes:/>

:wave:/>

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Another thing that needs to be done on the Monogram orbiter to show the ending of a mission is the Reaction Control Systems need to be open. I've decided to drill and file out the flat molded areas on ports and plan on coming up with a more detailed way of showing the systems. I will probably use milliput or something. Not quite sure how I'm going to approach this yet.:huh:/>/>

I used styrene tubing for the RCS thrusters. It's easy and adds depth to the items.

And for the tail, are you going to install the Drogue compartment or is this another early Shuttle?

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I used styrene tubing for the RCS thrusters. It's easy and adds depth to the items.

And for the tail, are you going to install the Drogue compartment or is this another early Shuttle?

Styrene tubes have been a thought. Still thinking about it. As for the the Drag chute? For some reason the shuttle of choice is Columbia. My birthday is on April 12 and I remember when STS-1 launched. Possibly one of the later missions. So maybe STS-109. Then I will have to create the compartment.

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Sorry Manfred for not answering your question right away. I got out some of the material that I will use to create tiles that way I can show you how I will do this.

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The first thing that I do is score the styrene one direction 3mm apart. That's what I calculate the majority of the tiles at. I believe they are approximately 6"x6". Some are bigger and some are smaller, depending on where they were place.

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Then I turn the styrene and mark 3mm at each end and cut it with my exacto knife.

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As you can see, I can adhere the tiles in long strips. As I do so, I can stagger the strips to create the brick layer look.

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One this newer model, I will use the black styrene for the HRSI's that way it'll stand out better while it's going together. However at the end, it will still get a good coat of paint.

:salute:/>/>

Edited by egt95
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Thanks Mike for your answer, :worship:

it's really a nice approach with scoring the styrene sheet, but 3 mm edge length seems to be a bit oversized. :rolleyes: You're right, the HRSI tiles on the belly are about 6"x6", but accordingly, therefore your strips should be slightly narrower, about 2 mm, but that might be a bit too difficult to cut and glue. :woot.gif:

As far as I know, there are about 20.000 tiles on the entire bottom of the orbiter, and that's a lot of stuff. :blink: Still, I think even with 3x3 mm tiles you can also achieve an attractive optical effect. :coolio:

:wave:

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Thanks Mike for your answer, :worship:/>

it's really a nice approach with scoring the styrene sheet, but 3 mm edge length seems to be a bit oversized. :rolleyes:/> You're right, the HRSI tiles on the belly are about 6"x6", but accordingly, therefore your strips should be slightly narrower, about 2 mm, but that might be a bit too difficult to cut and glue. :woot.gif:/>

As far as I know, there are about 20.000 tiles on the entire bottom of the orbiter, and that's a lot of stuff. :blink:/> Still, I think even with 3x3 mm tiles you can also achieve an attractive optical effect. :coolio:/>

:wave:/>

You are right Manfred. I'm not sure were I got 3mm. But I just ran the calculation again and it comes up as 2.11mm. I'll have to cut a few strips to see what they will look like. But if it's to small, I may stay with the 3x3mm.

Thanks for bringing that up.

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Hello Mike,

Yep, 2.1 mm is almost the exact value at 1:72. :thumbsup:

But I have another idea. I would take 2 mm wide Evergreen strips, either 0.25 mm or 0.38 mm thick. These strips placed side by side and fixed with tape, and then in each case scribing at a distance of 2 mm. Then you would save yourself the cutting of 2 mm strips and always had clean tile strips. :coolio:

But now you've already started with 3 mm, maybe you're just doing so on ... :whistle:

:wave:

Edited by spaceman
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I bought the larger Silhouette Cameo cutter primarily for this reason. So far, the tile pieces I have cut seem OK, although I think I get better engraved details with laser-cut. Still pursuing both solutions for the eventual 1:72 tile set.

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I've decided to work on the tail to show what I plan on doing with the rest of the orbiter. It is a relatively a small area and shouldn't be too challenging. But when I get to the bigger portion, it's going to take awhile...

Here's the start of the scoring side on the styrene for the HRSI's.

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And the stabilizer with the drag chute compartment. I have decided to go with the late model orbiter look.

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This is going to be another Columbia build. STS-109. So I need a SILTS pod. Can anyone help?

Mike

Edited by egt95
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This is going to be another Columbia build. STS-109. So I need a SILTS pod. Can anyone help?

Yup ...

http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=198071

Page 1, post #19 and scroll thru a few pix till you get to the Tail. You'll see the tail in pieces. The SILTS pod is just a styrene tube, with a rod stuck in the end to make it solid, and sanded till it's round. A groove was cut into the length of the tube to fit onto the top of the tail. Sand and fill and there you go.

Hope this helps

Pete

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Thanks for all the helpful info. :thumbsup:/>/>

Although I was kind of hoping to find a rare Cutting Edge SILTS pod. But Pete's approach to scratch building a pod on his cutaway project (which, by the way, was a great build) gave me a little motivation to scratch building my own...

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Once I start there's no turning back...:woot.gif:/>

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This was an odd fit. I had to cut a portion of the tube down to make it fit right. I have a bottle of TENAX cement that works fast and bonds pieces together well. Then I mixed up some Milliput to fill the cracks and plug the end of the tube where the camera lenses sit.

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There's going to be quite a bit of filing, sanding and a little bit of shaping. But I think this may turn out good.:rolleyes:/>

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