You know, the more I look at Deck5's picture, the more I wonder if there's a bit of art imitating life going on here (in this thread, I mean). Observe...
View attachment 86833
If you look at the center raised platform, there are 2 by 4's running horizontally along its length underneath it. It is then built higher by means of studs on the end. Now it's entirely possible it was simply made this way. But is it not also possible it was originally built to be just above the floor level, and it was after decided to raise it higher?
I just was intrigued by the possibility!
Sure, the door is like 2 feet off the 'ground', but it might not have been before the set was finished.
I've noticed over the years a tendency on television shows for the entrance to rooms (living rooms, typically) are elevated above the floor level (the old Mary Tyler Moore Show, Dick Van Dyke Show, Green Acres, Three's Company, and many more). I always assumed that it keeps the spot (normally at or near the backside of the stage) from having diminished significance, such as when guests arrive or series regulars enter the scene, it elevates the importance of it. I could be all wet: I'm not a stage designer. I just wondered if maybe the Eagle cockpit was getting the same treatment, so someone entering wouldn't be obscured by the pilots. Just a wacky, late-night theory: I've got to do something waiting for glue to dry!
07/03/12
Hi Guys!
Thanks for your patience on this one. I appreciate it very much.
Ok, so I have managed to finish the ribbing on the front end and I am really pleased with the result. They are evenly spaced and all follow a uniformed curve line, which will make it easier to layer with papier mache.
I then started construction of the back half of the command module. I took a leaf out of LMFAOSchwarz's book here and used a slightly different approach, as suggested by him earlier in this thread....the lengths I have to go to just to keep people happy! JUST KIDDING Bob!!! lol:lol i tried it because I liked the concept and it worked a treat. Here's how it looked...
The ribbing then went over this, as per the front half...
So, next was the Papier Mache. When doing this, I always cut my newspaper into strips about 4 or 5 cm long and about 1cm wide. (2"x1" approximately) I use the same PVA wood glue that I use during the rest of the construction, but I add 50% water. I tend to do a small area and then hit it with a hair dryer to dry it out really quickly. Then I can concentrate on the next area without having to worry about disturbing what I have already done.
This is where the thin little strips come into their own. They lie flat, even on a sharp curve that bends both ways..
The result is better than I would have hoped for. Normally, it gets left to the filler to do most of the the work in getting an even surface, but here, its looking reasonably smooth. Some bumps and dips obviously, but on the whole, pretty good.
The next stage was to smack coat of household filler over the dry papier mache and when that dries, rub it down to really start to knock it into shape. Tomorrow's weather permitting, I will get a coat primer on and then a layer of car body filler/bondo on top of that. I made a start on the preliminary filler coat, and I will finish it tomorrow. Here are a couple of pics to finish off this installment with, and to show you how she looks with a nice smooth(ish) white surface. Not sanded yet, obviously.
I hope you enjoyed this update on my Eagle Transporter build progress. I will post again soon!
By the way, total outlay so far =£0/$0 That's my kind of price!
Hey, Underdog! Good to see you about the place! It's also good to know that you can confirm the method used. Please, feel free to contribute in any way you want to this thread. If you want to post pics, discuss all aspects of the Eagle, or even join us on here building your own, then you are absolutely welcome!
I am building my Eagle to just over 52 inches, which I believe is about 1/18th scale. LMFAOSchwarz is, I believe, building his to 39 inches, which would come in at about 1/23rd scale.
Thanks for the great pics BTW! awesome detail.
You are correct, Darren, in your 39 inch figure. I can't remember how I arrived at that scale now...but I'm committed to it now!
Sunday is fun day:
Cutting and gluing the foam core for the top starboard side of the command module, just a mirror image of the last step. I'm hoping today to finish shaping the whole nose section, top and bottom.
View attachment 86897View attachment 86898View attachment 86899View attachment 86900View attachment 86901View attachment 86902View attachment 86903View attachment 86904
Started out the day with a mild headache, so I got a bit of a delayed start. Going to take a household chore break, give the dog a bath, and get back to the Eagle. This evening will be the bottom front half of the module
View attachment 86905
And in case anyone was going to ask, let me answer you first: "Why, no, this isn't the least bit monotonous!"
Excellent ribbing and build up. Yeah, monotony is part of it. Every once in awhile I have to get away from a big project and run through a small one, just to change the pace and alleviate the monotony.