Another TWA Moonliner build

[Szyntax]

Hi All,
Motivated by "Carson Dyle"s great build of the Atomic City 1955 TWA Moonliner kit I've decided to tackle mine.

Here is the completed kit (photo courtesy of Atomic City)

 

[Szyntax]

The kit comes unassembled with the main body in two halves (photo courtesy of Atomic City)

My kit has some clean up on the tip where the nosecone attaches and at the base to remove casting flash. Additionally my body tubes are out of round by .050 and will need to be worked to correct this for a proper fit.

 

[Szyntax]

Update:

Bad storm impacting progress up here in Seattle. I do have the upper and lower halves of the fuse joined as well as some air bubbles filled. The hole for the nosecone was off center and I've fixed that. Also some general cleanup on the other bits. I'll try and snap a pic later today (sun is finally coming out)

 

[Szyntax]

Update (long overdue)

Fuse halves are joined and faired. LED's are mounted and the launchpad exhaust cone (?) is going through last prep for final paint.

 

[Szyntax]

UPDATE:

1) I've mostly completed the lighted cone part of the base using 9 white LEDs.

2) I'm currently working on the rest of the triangular base. It's made up of 3 triangular pieces. They have ben glued together. They include buttons that index into the pads of the rocket legs. I'm milling them down and gluing a magnet in place then milling the corresponding pocket in the leg to accept a steel washer. this was the rocket will be secure to the base but still removeable.

3) General cleanup has been done on most of the parts.

Pics later today

 

[Szyntax]

Leg and base machined and magnet and washer glued on.

 

[CaptCBoard]

I really love seeing the result of someone building one of my kits and this is certainly no exception! I would like keep the record straight, though. The original base-button/foot-socket provision does allow the rocket to stay in position on the base and still be removable. The builder has the option of gluing the feet to the base or to leave them unglued.

The purpose of this feature is to keep the weight of the rocket from being borne by the struts that go between the fuselage and the legs. If there was no provision for this, there is a likelihood the legs would tend to splay outward over time. The added benefit is the rocket stays in place without being permanently attached.

I do not mention this to be critical this build. I support any decisions made by my clients to make modifications to the kits they have purchased from me such that if something needs to be replaced because of a modification that didn't work out, I supply replacements free of charge. My concern is that other builders may read this and think the mastering of this kit overlooked a way for the rocket to register to the base and still be removed.

I really look forward to seeing the conclusion of this build!!

Scott

 

[Szyntax]

Back after a long break. This project is underway again. I'll post progress pics soon. Thanks Scott for your comments, my magnet actually sticks up higher than the original button though it doesnt appear so in the pics. The parts register firmly and I feel you have a great design.

almost ready for the body to get its color coat, still working on sanding the legs in to shape and filling bubbles etc. I expect it to go quickly.

 

[jockdeboer]

Man, I wish I had bought one of these...