Crackerjazz' 1/10 Lunar Module LM-5 Eagle Ascent Stage

This looks like an amazing project! I'm new here and I found this thread while looking for plans to build my own LEM. I have the Virtual LM book by apogee books but the plans you have seem to be ideal - could you let me know where they are from and approx cost please? I was planning a 1/12 scale model but your 1/10 is close enough. I'll certainly be scutinising your work when I start my build.
 
Hi jockdeboer, joberg, Blackbeardcrazy, thanks! Not done, sorry, but I'll pick it up again someday.

Hi Aries1b, welcome aboard!
I used Vincent Meens' scratchbulding plans here (in 1/24 but I had Kinkos/Fedex scale them up for me):
http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/LEM-24/

Vincent now offers 1/8, 1/10, 1/16, 1/24, and 1/32 3d-printed parts (sorry, no 1/12). http://www.shapeways.com/shops/spacemodels
http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/1-32 LM/index.htm (has some scratchbuilding info to complement the 3d printed parts if you want to save a bit).

I was trying to make my own 3D parts back then but I see no point in that now. I got a lot of practice on Solidworks, though :)
Do post your build progress -- I'd be glad to help you out in any way I can.
 
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Hi Crackerjazz. Quick questions. How do you scale these plans up to a chosen scale? is it just by calculating the correct percentage based on known measurements? Also, are there any plans of the CSM at the same scale? I plan to build a LEM like yours but need an Apollo 13 CSM/LEM by October. I may not get all the detailing done by then but would have a correctly proportioned NASA style white model with scope for detail to be added.

Thanks again for the awesome plans.

Mike
 
Hi Aries1b, Vincent's plans are in 1/24 and I wanted 1/10 --- that's 24 divided by 10 = 2.4 ---- so I had Kinkos/Fedex print out the pdf plans for me to 2.4 times bigger (240%).
In your case you need something in 1/12 scale -- have them print it out at twice the size -- tell them to print it at 200%. Looking forward to your white model.
 
Hi Crackerjazz, thanks for the info again. I may just go for 1/10 myself as it may simplify things if I need any tips off you (He said expectantly!) I would like it all to be as accurate as yours but I have a deadline to meet at the end of this year so I may save the detailing for after the deadline has passed and make an accurate white model first. The ultimate goal will still be a fully detailed model. I was a sculptor/prop maker/set designer at Madame Tussaud's for 30 years and though I've never done any 'real space' models before I have a lot of skills, molding etc, to draw on. If you think I can help in any way just let me know.

Just a few questions....

Did you print out the pdf to have them enlarged or were they printed out enlarged by fedex directly from the pdf?

How tall will your 1/10 LEM be including a descent stage?

Are you using 1mm styrene sheet throughout the build?

Apart from the Virtual Apollo book, do you know where I could find any blueprints for a CSM?

Your posts on this thread are superb. Can't wait for the next installment!

Mike
 
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Hi Mike, no worries, just ask away -- I'm ready to help. Including the descent stage it will be about 2 feet tall without the antennae. But the opposing landing pads would be 3 feet apart, which is one of the reasons (aside from the difficulty of building the struts) that I decided to build just the ascent stage. It's really huge at 1/10 - actually I wish I'd gone ahead and built the 1/18 instead :(

Kinkos/Fedex can print the pdfs straight away. Just let them know to print it at 240% (1/10 scale). I've used various styrene thicknesses --- 1mm, 0.75mm, 0.5mm and 0.4mm and 0.25mm. For the skin, I think I could have used 0.4mm instead so that there wouldn't be any need to bevel edges. I think it would have worked as long as the internal structure is strong.

As for the Command Module, I saw these (but haven't really ordered yet): http://www.apollosaturn.com/modeling/dwapollo.htm
Really looking forward to your work.
 
Thanks Crackerjazz, I'll stock up on various styrene sheets tomorrow. I take your point that 1/10 is rather large...I may think again before I start. Mine has to be seen clearly by an audience of 450 so needs to be a reasonable size i think.

I also have the Virtual LM book and yes, the legs are very complex, which is somewhat daunting but I'll just have to deal with it when I get there.

The CSM I hope will be a simpler build. Basically a cylinder and a cone stuck together! Just the engine bell and the surrounding area to worry about. I was thinking about using mirror card on the CM to get the reflective surface and aluminium sheet on the SM. Anyway, early days yet.

Thanks again for your help:)
 
I just finished going thru your Snowspeeder build and it was awesomeeeee!!!! and now this :facepalm(y)thumbsup:thumbsup.

Keep up this great build CJ, looking forward to more :popcorn
 
Hi CJ,

I see shapeways don't make 1/10 thruster nozzles, do you have any ideas on how you might make them? Also, do you know what the delivery times from shapeways are?

Thanks,

Mike
 
Thanks again CJ. I'm just laying out paper templates of the LEM/CSM in 1/10 and 1/16 to check the overall size and what kind of display stand would be needed. There is quite a difference! Parts for 1/16 are naturally less expensive so for the whole assembly 1/16 is looking favourite. I'm hoping LEM thrusters will also work as CSM thrusters in any case.
 
Hi Aries1b -- yes the CSM used the same thrusters. Working on the ascent engine again. The parts went a-missing for long time
so I'm gluing them on permanently this time.


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Joberg, Aries1b, thanks! The engine broke into pieces again last week -- not long after I shot those photos --- it was no match for the cat's paw. Oh, my aching back :( I guess it won't be visible once attached anyway, except for the bell. Hi Katsu-san, so nice to hear from you! :)


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I'm working on the docking drogue assembly now.



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None of the ribs and grabhandles will really be visible from the outside -- but someday if I decide to build an interior at least I'll be ready.
 
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