shaunsheep
Sr Member
Wow......
Apollo LM 1/32 Archive & Future Kit Production
- Thread starter Archive&Future
- Start date
Archive&Future
Sr Member
It's been a while since I updated the thread, since I'm more proactive on Facebook and Instagram (@archiveandfuture)
So far my progress has largely been restricted to refining imperfections, the most notable additions being the RCS thruster arms, the egress column 'coffin' and the central cruciform of the descent stage.
The plan is to detail the descent stage as it appears under the thermal blankets, meaning that builders will have the option to display the interior workings or not.
So far my progress has largely been restricted to refining imperfections, the most notable additions being the RCS thruster arms, the egress column 'coffin' and the central cruciform of the descent stage.
The plan is to detail the descent stage as it appears under the thermal blankets, meaning that builders will have the option to display the interior workings or not.
Archive&Future
Sr Member
I haven't updated the thread on this for a while, so here's the latest.
I've refined the panel texture to a point that I'm happy with, and I'm now adding the rivets. My process is old school- hand drilling hundreds of 0.5mm holes, gluing in styrene posts, trimming to length and sanding to round off the hard edges.
I did buy a sheet of archer resin rivets, but I didn't feel happy with them for this and despite the somewhat wonky lines I'm very pleased with the effect; I think it'll look great once it's moulded.
I've refined the panel texture to a point that I'm happy with, and I'm now adding the rivets. My process is old school- hand drilling hundreds of 0.5mm holes, gluing in styrene posts, trimming to length and sanding to round off the hard edges.
I did buy a sheet of archer resin rivets, but I didn't feel happy with them for this and despite the somewhat wonky lines I'm very pleased with the effect; I think it'll look great once it's moulded.
shaunsheep
Sr Member
Looking better every post
shaunsheep
Sr Member
Progress is very impressive
shaunsheep
Sr Member
Bump
shaunsheep
Sr Member
Bump
shaunsheep
Sr Member
Bump
joberg
Legendary Member
It`s a tradition to do so, as to know what`s going on with the project...interesting parties if you will
Archive&Future
Sr Member
My studio has been so busy lately with casting, machining and 3D printing that I haven't had much time to update the build thread of this project.
Let me update you all on the progress of the Lunar Module:
I've been slowly chipping away on all the rivet detailing, as well as cleanup. Here you can see the hatch aperture being milled to the correct depth just before the forward hull was moulded for a second time- as previously stated, this is so that I can capture all the texture and detail without the fragility of the techniques I used to get that effect.
The photo featured of the silicone mould (in pale green) is the mould directly after it had cured, so before any cleanup to remove debris left inside.
Since the latest cast from the new mould is just one of the prototypes, I wanted to see how the model looks with paint.
I used Halfords matt black spray paint, followed up with a custom mixture of Tamiya XF15 and XF20 (Flat Flesh and Medium Grey), then Alclad II Chrome for the metallic areas.
I then painted the rivets and tape detail with Tamiya X11 (Silver), before attaching gold thermal blanket using 3M 2mm double sided tape. I discovered that gluing the thermal blanket doesn't work at all, since any solvents dissolve the gold coating.
The descent stage (DS) has been laser cut from 3mm Perspex according to the dimensions laid out in my CAD model- 1mm half round styrene strips have then been added to accurately replicate the ribs and stringers. I chose to use half round rather than a more accurate square profile for ease of moulding.
The Sketchup model I've been working on concurrently with the physical build will be available to purchase as SKP and STL files when it's complete- as you can see, I have done my best to closely copy the LM interior according to reference photographs and NASA/Grumman documentation.
If you'd like to stay up to date with this project and many others we're working on, consider following our Facebook and Instagram feeds @archiveandfuture.
Thank you all for your interest so far in this build!
Let me update you all on the progress of the Lunar Module:
I've been slowly chipping away on all the rivet detailing, as well as cleanup. Here you can see the hatch aperture being milled to the correct depth just before the forward hull was moulded for a second time- as previously stated, this is so that I can capture all the texture and detail without the fragility of the techniques I used to get that effect.
The photo featured of the silicone mould (in pale green) is the mould directly after it had cured, so before any cleanup to remove debris left inside.
Since the latest cast from the new mould is just one of the prototypes, I wanted to see how the model looks with paint.
I used Halfords matt black spray paint, followed up with a custom mixture of Tamiya XF15 and XF20 (Flat Flesh and Medium Grey), then Alclad II Chrome for the metallic areas.
I then painted the rivets and tape detail with Tamiya X11 (Silver), before attaching gold thermal blanket using 3M 2mm double sided tape. I discovered that gluing the thermal blanket doesn't work at all, since any solvents dissolve the gold coating.
The descent stage (DS) has been laser cut from 3mm Perspex according to the dimensions laid out in my CAD model- 1mm half round styrene strips have then been added to accurately replicate the ribs and stringers. I chose to use half round rather than a more accurate square profile for ease of moulding.
The Sketchup model I've been working on concurrently with the physical build will be available to purchase as SKP and STL files when it's complete- as you can see, I have done my best to closely copy the LM interior according to reference photographs and NASA/Grumman documentation.
If you'd like to stay up to date with this project and many others we're working on, consider following our Facebook and Instagram feeds @archiveandfuture.
Thank you all for your interest so far in this build!
