1/72 MPC Eagle Transporter + Resin + PE super detail *WIP*

Here are the VTOL engine parts. Other than figuring out the anti-aliasing and cleaning up the back sides, I think these are good to go.

20210907_215553.jpg



v1: The bell edges are very delicate before curing and the details were tough to make out.
20210907_215559.jpg


v2: the details are much more crisp and visible. Other than sorting out the AA, I think it's good.
20210907_215608.jpg


20210907_215652.jpg


20210907_215813.jpg
 
Yep, I noticed that when I was taking a close look deciding where to add detail. :) At some point I want to go over pics of the filming model and see if it's a specific kit part (I'm assuming it is).
Airfix. They had the 1/144 Saturn and the 1/72 LEM, one being half the size of the other so perfect for the 22in and 44in Eagles. The Revell Gemini kits were also in complimentary scales 1/48 and 1/24.
 
Well, it's been a long time since I've worked on this and I pulled it out of the closet. One of the biggest hangups was trying to figure out the lighting and I think I have found a solution. I'm going to try inductive LED's since I don't need any wiring at all on them and the model is fairly low and planar so I don't have to worry too much about getting the lights too far from the coil as long as I get one that has a large enough diameter. I have more spare PE from a couple of new Metal Earth models and some spare bits and bobs from my F-14 build. I'm building out the cockpit a bit more and am coming up with a plan for where to put some of that PE on the exterior. I've got some parts that will make excellent covers for the passenger module magnets and give an otherwise very plain and visible area some interest. I've got some lights on order and I'll see how they work once they get here.

The cockpit is coming along nicely. I added two of the D model side instrument panels from my F-14 (built as an A) and some unused PE from my Metal Earth Razor Crest. It's still going to be tough to see, but it should give it a little interest. I also cleaned up the window openings and put in a nice bevel on the interior. I also have the D seat backs from the F-14, I'll need to scratch some sides for them, but they should work nicely to give the pilots a place to sit.
PXL_20230618_220641171.jpg
PXL_20230618_220653275.jpg


PXL_20230618_220709731.jpg


I used more of the PE for some ceiling detail. They're just tacked on and I'll fill in the gaps in the center panel with some evergreen.
PXL_20230618_220817808.MP.jpg


More PE from the Razor Crest to cover where the screw slots are on the spine. The passenger module attachment magnets will go here and they will hide them nicely.
PXL_20230618_221111195.jpg
PXL_20230618_221142329.MP.jpg


Another piece of PE to cover the magnets in the passenger pod. It kind of looks like a docking clamp greeblie and I think it fits the bill nicely.
PXL_20230618_221233859.MP.jpg


Before we moved to Texas, I printed some of the VTOL thrusters in Siraya Tech Fast Navy Grey. I really like how they came out. Now I just need to get back to modeling the rest of the engine bells.
PXL_20230618_221306312.jpg
PXL_20230618_221311006.MP.jpg
 
I fired up Fusion again and made great progress on the main engines. I've never been a fan of the plate with 5 holes of the filming miniature, so I made a pretty big departure from them. I melded some of my favorite aspects of the F-1 and RS-25 and threw in a touch of my own mojo for good measure. I still need to work on detailing the injector plate in the combustion chamber and I'll probably throw in some additional small details here and there, but I'm really happy with how it's looking. I'll need to set my printer back up and see how they come out before I do too much more though.

Main_Engine_2023-Jun-21_10-54-55PM-000.jpg


Main_Engine_2023-Jun-21_10-54-55PM-001.jpg
 
I got my Saturn dialed back in and ran a test print of the main engines. The part I was worried about was OK, the fine tube detail on the upper half printed without issues. And it failed where I didn't expect it to, the smoother lower half didn't print at all. I tried a novel approach to support, and I think it needs some tweaking. The good news is that the interface to the structure is pretty good and fits without any issues. I also printed some seats and pilot figures (I'll need to do major surgery to move them into seated positions).

PXL_20230624_033653775.jpg


PXL_20230624_033708712.jpg


PXL_20230624_033917173.MP.jpg


PXL_20230624_033926367.jpg


PXL_20230624_034228842.jpg


PXL_20230624_034419621.jpg


PXL_20230624_034526428.jpg
 
After several rounds of tweaks I think I have a useable set of engine nozzles. They're drying after a primary and secondary wash in 99% IPA and then I'll post cure to see how they really came out. I broke at least two of the main engine bells taking them off the supports, but I printed extra, so no big deal. It looks like I'll also need to do some light sanding on the edges of most of them to smooth out the edges of the continuous supports I used, but they should come out nicely.

On the plate letting the excess resin drip off. The last run I ended up with only the supports on the plate.
PXL_20230721_145350788.jpg


Removed from the supports and washed in IPA.
PXL_20230721_161452134.jpg


Main Engine. I'm super happy with how it's looking at this point.
PXL_20230721_161251660.jpg


Inside of one of the main engines. I left the center open for LED lighting.
PXL_20230721_161245639.jpg


Main VTOL engine. The edge of the bell will need some sanding, but otherwise they look great.
PXL_20230721_161412942.jpg
PXL_20230721_161433086.jpg


Passenger pod VTOL.
PXL_20230721_161339093.jpg
PXL_20230721_161357756.jpg
 
I did a test cure of one of the damaged main engines and I couldn't detect any significant warping, even with a chip out of the edge. I'm letting the other parts fully dry before running them through the curing process, but I think I may need to make one final tweak to the supports. The inner support ring contact areas are still just a touch heavy and are leaving me with some unevenness on the detail there. The main support forces should be taken care of by the outermost ring, so I think I can safely reduce them a bit (they're currently .0075" thick on the outers and .005" on the inners. I can probably go down to .004 or maybe even .003 safely. And if not, I've still got a useable set.

New engine next to the kit version.
PXL_20230721_175208256.jpg


I was never a fan of the combustion chamber design of the original. It just doesn't make sense from a physics standpoint.
PXL_20230721_175248175.jpg


The inner ring detail needs some work. Hopefully I can reduce the size of the support contact to help clean it up. I may also beef up the ribbing detail on the inner portion, it doesn't read very well right now.
PXL_20230721_175338272.MP.jpg


The support structure looks kind of cool all on its own. :)
PXL_20230721_175317661.jpg
 
The engines are cured and I did a test fit. I think I need one more iteration to finesse some of the details, but I'm exceedingly happy with how it's progressing. I think it's all looking spectacular, especially the main engines. I'm just kind of worried that I may need to upgrade the rest of the machinery to match.

PXL_20230721_203235308.jpg


PXL_20230721_203240900.jpg


PXL_20230721_203251279.jpg


PXL_20230721_203304602.jpg


PXL_20230721_204136264.jpg


PXL_20230721_204247022.jpg


PXL_20230721_203528973.jpg


PXL_20230721_203334746.jpg


PXL_20230721_203417769.jpg
 
I finished tweaking the engine bells, and I'm really happy with how they came out. I got a full set that passes muster. And I ran into the problem that I was afraid of, A lot of the other bits have started to look very toy-like in comparison. So... It's time to jump back into Fusion 360 and get to modeling. I think I'm going to replace just about everything except the main hull components, outriggers, and the truss structure. Here is a little taste of the next bit I'm working on. I'm going to have to shave off the landing gear mounting points on the outrigger pods, but I think it will be worth the extra work.

And I also ordered a small set of inductive LEDs to experiment with my lighting ideas. If it pans out, I'll get some more LEDs and a larger and/or more induction rings to put in the base to make sure I have coverage for the whole model (the set I bought only comes with an 80mm wide ring).

I've still got a bunch of work to do on the landing gear bits, and I ordered some 2mm stainless steel rod to use as support for the main gear struts since I don't think full resin gear will bear the weight.
Screenshot 2023-07-23 235818.jpg


Original landing strut mount.
PXL_20230724_045952005.jpg


Full set of engines. I've got a bunch of extras too and will probably start experimenting with paint on them.
PXL_20230723_201644849.jpg


I love how crisp the interior of the main engine bells came out with some tweaking of the supports. I really like the continuous support method I came up with, there's no dimples or warping.
PXL_20230723_202020031.MP.jpg
 
"In for a penny, in for a pound."

I can't wait to see how this turns out. Those engines are absolutely gorgeous.
Thanks! I love how they came out. The only down side is the aforementioned problem of the rest of the kit now looking like a toy. But I'm working on fixing that. As you say; in for a penny, in for a pound.
 

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.
Back
Top