Boeing CST-250

[Atlantis]

The CST (commercial space transport) 250 is my interpretation of an upscaled, manned version of the X-37B. I got the idea while reading a post on Homer Hickam's blog where he mentions just such a craft as well as Boeing's commercial space taxi, the CST-100. To get into  orbit, it will be launched on either a Delta IV Heavy or a Jupiter 130 . Unlike the shuttle, it is capable of landing on any runway set up for large commercial aircraft, although a landing at KSC's SLF ( Spacecraft (formerly shuttle) Landing Facility) is preferred. In the event of a landing elsewhere, it can be piggybacked on a modified C-17.


As to the the model itself, The fuselage and wings come from a 1:200 scale Snap-tipe Revell shuttle orbiter, the tail fins were leftover F-8 crusader bits, the back engine bell from a box of realspace kitbash fodder I bought at show last month( the guy I bought from thought I was crazy for buying a box of junk), and the rest came from the sheet of plastic I used to build the Gryphon and Corsair. As a whole it is in 1:144 scale.

It still has quite a way to go before it's finished, but I thought I'd go ahead and put up what I have. I'm half tempted to buy the Revell-Germany C-17 to put it on top of.

[Tophe]

nice couple

[The Rat]

WINNER! 

[Hobbes]

Very nice! What's the other model in your pics?

[Atlantis]

Very nice! What's the other model in your pics?

That's actually the key fob to my Monte Carlo. The holder for the key ring broke, so I tried to jury-rig a temporary fix by epoxying the pop tab from a Dr. Pepper can to it to use it use as a new key ring holder.

Also, you can download the X-37 kit here:
http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_postapollo.html#m38a

[Hobbes]

I was referring to the X-37B, apparently. 

[Atlantis]

Sorry about that. 

[Pablo1965]

Nice work

[Atlantis]

Well, the reason I went with the C-17 was that the SCA seemed like a bit overkill for a much smaller craft (the 250 is about ~40ft shorter than the Orbiter). On the other hand, and SCA would be cheaper since there's a paper kit available.

[PR19_Kit]

In lieu of the C-17, how about whiffing the the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft? To my eye, the B747 SCA always needed Mriya-style twin fins and rudders. Can't ya just see your CST-250 on top of that Renton-built puppy?

I do like that idea! 

I only have around five 747s of various sorts in The Loft, one of them would look good with twin tails. The twin tail might also give them the opportunity for a 'gentle' air launch too, without so much of the negative G that they had to pull during the 'Enterprise' test flights.

[Hobbes]

The negative G may have something to do with the cockpit shape of the 747 creating a downdraft which tends to pull the Shuttle down with it.

[PR19_Kit]

I meant the negative G manoeuvre that the 747 had to make to ensure the Enterprise didn't smack the fin of the 747 when they launched actually.

The Shuttle didn't use it's engines (good thing too I guess or the 747 would have had no fin to smack!) and they just released the clamps and pulled while the 747 dived out of the way. With twin fins they could both carry on in (almost....) level flight. 

[Hobbes]

That's what I meant as well. I was thinking that a gentle release might cause the Shuttle to 'stick' to the 747 due to the downdraft of the cockpit hump, and that the high-G maneuver was done (in part) to overcome this. No idea if this is realistic, though.

[Spey_Phantom]

looks nice, reminds me alot of those pimped up space shuttles from the movie "Armagedon" 

[Atlantis]

I'm trying to decide on a paint scheme, what do guys think?

NASA
USAF
Commercial Airline
Virgin Galactic
Corporate

others?

I probably won't have an update for a while since exams are coming up. (I'm currently going to school to work on the real thing, I'm hoping for an internship at Marshall next summer.)