Space Shuttle Challenger on Launch Pad

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:41 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 8:27 am
DrSprue wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:11 am Oh Wow. that is looking amazing. I was just getting prepared for a foam block with some effect paints on it!
Nah, when this guy goes, he goes big!

Oh that was evident with his 747/Shuttle project. He builds outside the box!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 3:13 pm

Fridgy wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 8:34 am Looking good buddy

HEY!!!!
Hi Mick, great to hear from you

Hope all is well.
As you can see I have right royally tied myself up to a rocket for a couple months
Hoping this moves along as planned...actually been fun so far

buddy

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 3:15 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 8:27 am
DrSprue wrote: ↑Sun Nov 12, 2017 1:11 am Oh Wow. that is looking amazing. I was just getting prepared for a foam block with some effect paints on it!
Nah, when this guy goes, he goes big!

Ha ha, true
I am having quite a few of those “What the heck have I got myself into” moments.
I think this is my largest size, most scratchbuild and most complex design yet

Post by **Tomcat64** » Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:42 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 11, 2017 3:20 pm Gonna have that song in my head for the day, thanks mate
Actually am an Aerosmith fan, so it works out

Yep same here - seen them a few times and at least twice it even looked like they were sober!

Great work on the tower though buddy - I wouldn't have had a clue where to start with this one! Are you sure you can't do the gas vents??

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:23 am

OOOooo I had a nap this Sunday afternoon.I NEVER get a nap. Now my mojo is booming!!!
Moving to the main tank. This is an iconic image of a Space Shuttle launch with a huge orangish bomb lurking under the orbiter.
Love this photograph angle

Grabbed some of these rivets, 28 to be precise Mr Stokesy

and made some holes in thin sprue to make the strip that covers the pipe that runs down the external tank. This is fuel supply line to the Shuttle main engines...hydrogen/oxygen in the tank
I also added a circular cover over the yellow tube on the side...just a punch and some thin styrene.

The Ultimate oxide primer will be the main colour with various shading as I tint it with the white Ultimate
Having lots of fun now

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 3:09 am

Oh those SRBs and the Tank looks really cool so far Scott! Quite true about that above view as well!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:51 am

Riveting stuff.

Looking very cool Sir. Great pic too. Reminds me of that shot from Apollo 13 during the launch sequence.

Saw a doc on the making of the movie, the director said, wouldn’t it be cool if there had been a camera directly above the vehicle as it roared off the pad.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Nov 13, 2017 8:44 am

The awesomeness continues - gonna need more popcorn for this one.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 12:04 am

for the comments guys thanks, it is very motivating

Been watching Telford experience videos and doing a bit of modelling housekeeping for the build.
I snapped off the pin that the main tank uses to insert into the black base...no big deal as I will replace all that base anyways. BUT, I have set my measurements of tower and the like to that stand’s level so I really need that attatchment.
I MacGyver’d a white sprue length in, added thin plates and some cross bar sprues all with a loving dose of TET to soften and let it all meld together

Back in business.....also primed the solid boosters to check my seams

Then I attacked the poorly fitting and ridiculously flopping Shuttle bay doors. They have no position to seat to so flop about like a flounder. I just added some flat sprue to the internal curvature and got out the TET

Still some minor fit issues, but the doors have a nice front and back positive seat now

I learned to mess with this kind of stuff early well before primer and paint so you can modify and go with what you need to do to get your fit
CYa

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:17 pm

Great pics so far Scott! Man that tower frame in the back is looking really awesome too!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:02 pm

DrSprue wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:17 pm Great pics so far Scott! Man that tower frame in the back is looking really awesome too!

The tower is kinda lurking in the background ...like a stalker

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:37 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:02 pm The tower is kinda lurking in the background ...like a stalker

Saw that in the pics. Looks mighty impressive

Kingdan · Post by **Kingdan** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:18 pm

SPECTACULAR mad but spectacular

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:48 pm

Kingdan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:18 pm SPECTACULAR mad but spectacular

Thanks, I think
Unfortunately it gets more crazy with the launch pad as well

Kingdan · Post by **Kingdan** » Tue Nov 14, 2017 10:36 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:48 pm
Kingdan wrote: ↑Tue Nov 14, 2017 5:18 pm SPECTACULAR mad but spectacular
Thanks, I think
Unfortunately it gets more crazy with the launch pad as well

Yep it'll be the straight jacket after this one

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:07 pm

Great work on the tower and straightening out that shuttle buddy!

I think Dan's right though, it'll be the comfy chair and the jacket that does up around the back for you after this one!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:07 pm Great work on the tower and straightening out that shuttle buddy!

I think Dan's right though, it'll be the comfy chair and the jacket that does up around the back for you after this one!

Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:27 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm
Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:07 pm Great work on the tower and straightening out that shuttle buddy!

I think Dan's right though, it'll be the comfy chair and the jacket that does up around the back for you after this one!
Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!

Hmmm, I seem to resemble those remarks

Gotta push the envelope and yourself sometimes...I like making stuff from nothing
This one is pretty well scaffold construction and fortunately there are lots of reference photos so should come out ok
I am trying to do at least 10 minutes of something on it every weeknight so I keep moving things forward

Quax · Post by **Quax** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:31 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!

and his work is eclectic (and out of this world....) I've just caught up with this and it looks darn great so far

Paul

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:32 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:16 pm

Quax wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:31 pm
Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!
and his work is eclectic (and out of this world....) I've just caught up with this and it looks darn great so far

Paul

You are very kind sir, I thank you for your comment

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:30 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 5:16 pm
Quax wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:31 pm
Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:24 pm Poor people are crazy, Twokids is eccentric!
and his work is eclectic (and out of this world....) I've just caught up with this and it looks darn great so far

Paul
You are very kind sir, I thank you for your comment

Like I said about you Scott (and all of us really), think outside of the box!
so as Neil (aka Tom Baker) says......

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:17 am

I did manage to dither about for three of four workweek evenings, about 15 minutes each making up some small stair treads for the side of the elevator...they run up in a zig zag fashion along the side of the tower
U-channel sprue and some strips I cut

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:24 pm

Wow, there you go Scott. The deeper you head into the structure of this tower, the more you amaze me. This is going to be a very uniquely cool looking stand for this great ship.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:10 pm

DrSprue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:24 pm Wow, there you go Scott. The deeper you head into the structure of this tower, the more you amaze me. This is going to be a very uniquely cool looking stand for this great ship.

Thanks Doc
Just have to watch my time and make sure I am moving everything forward and not bogging down on one aspect
with too much detail.
I want the tower and the bulk of the shuttle and tanks done by the end of November and then start the launch pad in December

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:22 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:10 pm
DrSprue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:24 pm Wow, there you go Scott. The deeper you head into the structure of this tower, the more you amaze me. This is going to be a very uniquely cool looking stand for this great ship.
Thanks Doc
Just have to watch my time and make sure I am moving everything forward and not bogging down on one aspect
with too much detail.
I want the tower and the bulk of the shuttle and tanks done by the end of November and then start the launch pad in December

I should take your advice about that. I just wing it and as time goes by... the time is over with these sigs.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 18, 2017 4:23 pm

DrSprue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:22 pm
Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 3:10 pm
DrSprue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 2:24 pm Wow, there you go Scott. The deeper you head into the structure of this tower, the more you amaze me. This is going to be a very uniquely cool looking stand for this great ship.
Thanks Doc
Just have to watch my time and make sure I am moving everything forward and not bogging down on one aspect
with too much detail.
I want the tower and the bulk of the shuttle and tanks done by the end of November and then start the launch pad in December
I should take your advice about that. I just wing it and as time goes by... the time is over with these sigs.

“Flexible deadlines” is what I call it......not stupidly strict and giving myself enough time to finish early
Am not a good panic builder at the last moment with pressure on; studied in school as well with plenty of time rather than last minute cram sessions. We must all work to our strengths and weaknesses

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 4:58 pm

“Second floor ladies Lingerie.....oh hello Mr Tyler...”

Concocting ways to get a floor in tower, here using thin styrene with Trumpeter rivet tooling in the surface to resemble the steel mesh. Repaired my TET accident on the grey paint of that surface

Paper test blank to thin plastic to thicker plastic, then twelve of them cut out
Rivet tool run in lines on surface, then Ultimate grey and some black Tamiya panel line accent

Hmmmm

A Work in progress

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:41 pm

Looking really cool so far Scott!

The tower is so cool but I was disappointed when I found out that they tore down pad 39B about 5 years ago.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091611a.html

makes sense when we stopped the shuttle programs

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:57 pm

DrSprue wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:41 pm Looking really cool so far Scott!

The tower is so cool but I was disappointed when I found out that they tore down pad 39B about 5 years ago.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091611a.html

makes sense when we stopped the shuttle programs

Yes I watched some vids on it
39A is still up and will be modified for rocket launches
These pads sent men to the moon if I am not mistaken

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 7:03 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:57 pm
DrSprue wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:41 pm Looking really cool so far Scott!

The tower is so cool but I was disappointed when I found out that they tore down pad 39B about 5 years ago.

http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-091611a.html

makes sense when we stopped the shuttle programs
Yes I watched some vids on it
39A is still up and will be modified for rocket launches
These pads sent men to the moon if I am not mistaken

So right Scott! and so... cool about SpaceX sending up Falcon 9's!! Yippee, thank you Elon for making space important for us again.

DBMiller · Post by **DBMiller** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:22 pm

You are totally mad!

But it sure will be impressive!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun Nov 19, 2017 10:12 pm

Bit of launch pad trivia for all you space jockeys! The music used in the trailer for Apollo 13 when the Saturn V blasts off is from the movie Clear And Present Danger.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:03 am

DBMiller wrote: ↑Sun Nov 19, 2017 9:22 pm You are totally mad! But it sure will be impressive!

Indeed, totally mad

Got the floors painted stained and numbered as well as the shaft and it’s rooms. Dry rub numbering so I can keep track of each fitted level

Number twelve is going to bother me all night until I change it

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 12:08 am

Looking superb

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 1:57 am

I am a complete idiot, seriously a complete idiot
Have modelled all day, been gross and rainy and kids /wife have left me alone perfect to get this moving forward.
So making great progress and time to paint the orange on the tank with multiple shades and tones.
So how do you paint something round and phallic??? Nice thin layers and build the colour???
NO , NO. You blast like a moron and get as much paint on as quickly as you can, because....well I don’t even know why.
What the heck I was thinking. This has more runs in than an old hooker’s stockings

If this Ultimate oxide levels out flat, I will fall over dead.
I forsee an oven cleaner bath in this tank’s near future
This is the trying to overcome your own stupidity part of the build I suppose
Shite

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 2:44 am

Now I understand why I have such a hard time painting. I didnt know oven cleaner could save the day?

Keep at it Scott, we have the tools!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 4:24 am

God freaking awful

Guess where this is headed

So in my excitement to shoot the oxide and get the two tones by adding black to a second mix, I went and sprayed like a complete noob. Shows what an overexcited moron can foul up.

I am going to oven cleaner soak off and wipe that gas can back to clean smooth white plastic tonight before I go to bed if it kills me

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 6:07 am

A toothbrush and some warm water to scrub away the oven cleaner, then some cotton pads with just a hint of Mr Color Thinner to get the stubborn stuff off. Most importantly, trying not to scrape, sand or abrade any areas as it will leave marks and likely gouge the softened plastic.

Should be ok now, will likely prime the whole tank grey before I spray oxide as that seemed to work for the solid rocket boosters.

Oh well I am my worst enemy

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:01 am

Great salvage effort Sir. They was painful to watch. I dread what it must have felt like from your end. At least you kept your head enough to fix it.

And cudos to you for posting it all!

Post by **Tomcat64** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:30 am

Just caught up on this feat of engineering.

The attention to detail on the tower is amazing - all those steps!

And great save on the external tank.

This build is truly epic!

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 3:17 pm

Oh wow Scott that tank looks as if it was just out of the box. I think you taught me more about saving a good model piece without having to buy a new one. Thank you for that as well, if its worth anything to you. Really...

a thumbs up for that save bud!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 5:57 pm

Tomcat64 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 9:30 am Just caught up on this feat of engineering.

The attention to detail on the tower is amazing - all those steps!

And great save on the external tank.

This build is truly epic!

DrSprue wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 3:17 pm Oh wow Scott that tank looks as if it was just out of the box. I think you taught me more about saving a good model piece without having to buy a new one. Thank you for that as well, if its worth anything to you. Really... a thumbs up for that save bud!

Stokesy44 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 8:01 am Great salvage effort Sir. They was painful to watch. I dread what it must have felt like from your end. At least you kept your head enough to fix it.

And cudos to you for posting it all!

Thanks to all of you fine gentlemen

Gotta show the screw ups as well as the success

I am going to take the week off from painting, regroup a little bit and do some more building instead while I let that plastic recover a bit
All my fault for trying to do too much too quickly without engaging my brain first

TeufelHunden · Post by **TeufelHunden** » Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:56 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:17 am I did manage to dither about for three of four workweek evenings, about 15 minutes each making up some small stair treads for the side of the elevator...they run up in a zig zag fashion along the side of the tower
U-channel sprue and some strips I cut

That would make me go cross eyed. The art is in the details.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 21, 2017 12:20 am

TeufelHunden wrote: ↑Mon Nov 20, 2017 11:56 pm
Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2017 7:17 am I did manage to dither about for three of four workweek evenings, about 15 minutes each making up some small stair treads for the side of the elevator...they run up in a zig zag fashion along the side of the tower
U-channel sprue and some strips I cut

That would make me go cross eyed. The art is in the details.

Waddya mean, my eyes are perfectly normal

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:38 pm

Taken nearly a week off from this build to regroup

Today I attacked again....priming the tower and fuel tank. This is a dry test stacking.
Ultimate grey for interior floors and then tinted it with some white to get lighter outer rails

This tower is making me crazy as every time you touch one floor level the others drop, hence the hair bands for support. I have uttered some obscene noises and phrases dry fitting this and have damaged some areas in the process. The dog abandoned me

Hulk Smash definitely went through my mind...I am going to freaking KILL level #10

BobM · Post by **BobM** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 1:56 am

... this is amazing!!!

DrSprue · Post by **DrSprue** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 2:59 am

Its looking so cool Scott. Hang in there man... Level 13 was a problem at Nasa too. At least they didnt get Morton Thiokol Incorporated (MTI) as a contractor for that one as well, but it didnt have to fly!

Just kidding with that statement too just lift your spirits.. Get out the backup paint and some more TET! Really dude for a scratch built Tower it looks just great!

The towering Shuttle is looking all too familiar too!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:07 am

guys
I appreciate the support group

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:51 am

Twokidsnosleep wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:07 am guys
I appreciate the support group

Yep, you've got your own Tiger Team there mate

Failure is not an option