2001 Orion III Spaceplane in Balsa

[JCalhoun]

Yes, scratch built. I sectioned it out and cut foam between then fiberglassed the skin. Your M2 (and Orion) looks great, it's motivating me!

That looks like a nice document beneath — with all the cross-sections (stations). I have nothing like it for the Orion space clipper, and only a description of the cross-sections for the M2.

 

[feek61]

That looks like a nice document beneath — with all the cross-sections (stations). I have nothing like it for the Orion space clipper, and only a description of the cross-sections for the M2.

Yeah, I did a smaller version of the HL-10 and it's a really difficult shape to get right; it basically goes from almost a round profile to a flat profile. Before I did my 1/24 scale, I did a ton of research and found some helpful information in some NASA tech reports. These days, you can just use the three view drawing and have your computer make the cross-sections. Your work is impressive, in fact, when I saw your M2, I thought it looked very similar to this photo of the M2 under construction:

 

[JCalhoun]

These days, you can just use the three view drawing and have your computer make the cross-sections.

You'll have to point me toward that workflow. I've been struggling to make the M2-F3 nose in Blender (so I can 3D print, make a vacuum-form part). I did in fact bring a 3-view of the nose into Blender and have tried to match a mesh to it by hand — with so-so success.

 

[JCalhoun]

Starting to paint in the panels. I suck at it — but this is a great way to learn. Of course I can't scribe panel lines (in the ultra thin Monokote, ha ha) — but it will just have to be what it is.

Which it's probably worth conveying again — this wasn't an attempt at making a 100% studio-grade replica. (Studio-scale, yes!) Start from the other end: we're going to make a balsa "plane" — how close to "kit-model" can we get it while still staying more or less true to its balsa pedigree.

I've already cheated by adding a handful of 3D printed bits. But I console myself that they could also have been vacuum formed if I had the setup to do so.

 

[joberg]

Starting to paint in the panels. I suck at it — but this is a great way to learn. Of course I can't scribe panel lines (in the ultra thin Monokote, ha ha) — but it will just have to be what it is.

Which it's probably worth conveying again — this wasn't an attempt at making a 100% studio-grade replica. (Studio-scale, yes!) Start from the other end: we're going to make a balsa "plane" — how close to "kit-model" can we get it while still staying more or less true to its balsa pedigree.

I've already cheated by adding a handful of 3D printed bits. But I console myself that they could also have been vacuum formed if I had the setup to do so.

Getting there...yep, the paneling is quite the work on that model. As for a vacu-formed project, depending on the size of your machine, you could always do it in sections

 

[JCalhoun]

Thanks. Yeah, the vacuum forming would be minimal (not the whole model!). Little scoops and such.

Panelling is wrapping up. I screwed some bits up so will spend a day fixing up. Then I can begin putting soft layers of white over the whole thing to take the panelling down closer to white.

Went ahead and created artwork intended for decals to scale. I happen to love Affinity Designer rather than renting software from Adobe. (Just a satisfied customer.)

Sent the art off for water-slide decals.

I've only had custom water-slide decals made once before. They looked excellent but the site I ordered them from (years ago) is no longer. The last photo is a X-20 Dynasoar — the first scratch-built balsa model I built. It shows here the water-slide decals I had made.

 

[JCalhoun]

Panelling done (left). Beginning to take it back to white (right).

 

[joberg]

Looking good for sure

 

[JCalhoun]

I created artwork for some water-slide decals to the proper scale for my balsa space clipper (it's about 44" long). The custom decals finally came in. The ship is getting close to my calling it "done enough".

 

[joberg]

You really did a great job modeling/painting that iconic design