RW - Airfix 1/144 Saturn V Apollo and Skylab

[KiwiZac]

Hi all,
I guess this is the best place for this?

I found a new Airfix 1/144 Saturn V Skylab kit for cheap online recently and jumped at it - it also includes the Apollo moon mission module bits, and even at retail is cheaper than the straight Saturn V. Great deal! I also got some resin bits from the UK - a little rough in places but better than the Airfix parts - as well as some masks and some decals, so I can do it right. Unfortunately the Airfix Command Module sucks (undersized and poor detail) so I glued it in place under the Boost Protective Cover and have a much nicer one coming via Shapeways.


The stack as an Apollo mission...


...and as Skylab. The model is designed to come apart so you can see each stage individually. For storage and fun purposes I'll leave it like that. This also means I can change the payload from Skylab to Apollo when I feel like a change.


Here's the completed Lunar Module and Command/Service Module/Launch Escape System assemblies. The markings on the Service Module are one big decal that wraps around! There is the option of adding the markings individually but I figured I'd give the big one a go, and it turned out nicely.


The gold foil is standard kitchen foil crinkled up, cemented with superglue, and painted with Tamiya Gold Leaf. I had to add the "porch" on the LM as the kit didn't have it.


And here's Skylab. I was disappointed to learn that the only bits were for the stowed version, but I downloaded a paper model to show what it looked like unfolded (I love the look of Skylab, always have). That's kitchen foil again on the base.

For now I've put it away as I need more masking tape - for PSR - and white paint. I'm having good fun with this one!

The replacement CM is to be accompanied by a set of very nicely-detailed astronauts I've also ordered, who will go on the base to give some scale. The CM can also sit there, to show how much of this monster actually returned to Earth after its big trip to the moon.

[NARSES2]

Looking forward to the finished product

[KiwiZac]

Thanks Chris!

Some 3D-printed parts arrived from Shapeways today for the build! First up is a replacement Command Module:


I hope it shows up in the photos, the detail is superb on this. The surface is still a little rough but I can work with it - even like this it's miles ahead of the kit part. The heatshield is a separate part and man oh man are they thin!

Also in the stupidly-large box was a set of six astronauts in Apollo 11-style suits:


One seems to be Buzz Aldrin saluting Old Glory:


On Sunday I'll try painting Buzz and his mission mates, and try some prep on the CM.

[NARSES2]

They look good Zac. I had a really interesting conversation with Steel Penguin about 3D printing at SMW and then Martin H joined us and astounded me even more about the possibilities of home printing. Really opened my eyes to the possibilities and the current limitations of the process. Absolutely fascinating.

[KiwiZac]

I would absolutely love a printer of my own. They're available locally but the price and quality is still a bit beyond what I'd prefer. I think in less than five years it'll be realistic.

I'm very pleased with these. The plan is to put two moonwalkers and the CM on the base to give some scale, and - with the CM - show how little actually came back at the end of a mission. The detail on the CM is gorgeous and should look great when painted...or foiled...and the astronauts are going to be excellent additions.

[zenrat]

3D printing is the future of modelling.  You'll download the model from the Airfix (or whoever) website and then print it out.
The fun part for us starts when we can edit the data to whiff before printing thus doing away with PSR.

[Rheged]

3D printing is the future of modelling.  You'll download the model from the Airfix (or whoever) website and then print it out.
The fun part for us starts when we can edit the data to whiff before printing thus doing away with PSR.

Editing the data to whiff sounds a wonderful concept  but  doing away with PSR, I think sir, that you are incredibly optimistic!

[Thorvic]

Remember to check Shapeways on how to treat the printed plastic before you paint it. You need to let the sun cure the plastic as its still active after printing, and then wash them to remove the wax before they can be primed and ready for painting. !

[KiwiZac]

Thanks Geoff, it's on my to-do list