Moonraker Docking Bay

[Nick K]

Hello there.
It has been a while since I did a build thread so I thought I had better get cracking and share one of my current ones with you. I was surfing the Net as we all do, and my love of anything James Bond brought to my attention some pictures of one of the Docking Bay Miniatures that featured on the Drax Space Station in "Moonraker" . Using these I did some calculations and drawings and asked a friend of mine if he could turn it into a Pepakura Model. The station is approximately 450mm in diameter, so a good size.
Once this was done I had it printed on the normal card stock I use, and set about cutting out the roof sections and gluing them together with PVA. The first thing I noticed was that the card was not thick enough to support itself and "flopped". So I glued the remaining card stock to heavier card and this has worked out well. I decided to do this build from the ground up so the weight of everything as it goes together, will be better supported.

 

[Indy Magnoli]

Looks like you're off to a good start! I'm guessing this is your final goal:

 

[Nick K]

Yes it is.

 

[Nick K]

This is the base portion going together.

 

[joberg]

As you saw, the cardboard has to be thicker to make sure the surface area doesn't sag. A 2mm thick cardboard of good quality will do the trick!
Eager to see your next update

 

[Nick K]

Thanks joeberg. This is going to be a slow build as I have other projects on the go. The build started off as a saucer, then a bowl and now a hat.

 

[joberg]

You're doing well; as you know, you'll have to apply a coat (or two) of resin or epoxy, so as to solidify your paper structure. If you had used a thicker cardboard, you could have done it without. Eager to see your next update

 

[Nick K]

Thanks joberg. Yeah, can't wait to get some resin onto this so I can start sanding and filling. This is as far as I have gotten with the build. I need to straighten things up a bit and make a former to hold the whole thing in place so I can apply the resin and have it cure properly.

I have spent some of the time listing the Plastruct shapes used to decorate it.

 

[Nick K]

I have now glued the top portion of the main body and I am pleased with the way it is turning out so far.

 

[Nick K]

The Lower section is now ready for the application of resin so won't be active on this for a wee while. But "I'll be back".

 

[publiusr]

Anyone do the whole station? The Orion III shuttle fits this station--where Moonraker 5 looks a better fit to the ring station from 2001

 

[Nick K]

Well I'm back and while I am waiting for a friend to apply the resin to the lower section of the Docking bay, I decided to see if any of you out there could help me with part identification please. I know that Plastruct was used a lot and have identified the channels running down the lower side. Hope you can help me. Thanks

 

[JPH]

this is excellent.
Don't let anyone laser it

 

[Bjorn]

Great project Nick!
I always loved the miniature effects in this film. And John Barry's soundtrack!

She's coming along nicely.

For what it's worth that large dome on top looks like Airfix 1-144 Saturn V.

 

[joberg]

Keep up the good work and eager to see your next update!

 

[Nick K]

Thanks for those responses, guys. I want to get it finished, but this is going to take a lot of time, so please be patient. Cheers

 

[publiusr]

By doing this, you are also doing work on the Star Trek: Planet of the Titans. Adam’s look there would have been the same…with Drax’s station interior more my idea of what Regula One should have been in terms of decor

 

[Bendzhamin]

this is wonderful!!!! i am creating it in 3d sketchup along wiht the rest of the station!... love to see MOONRAKER getting some love!!!

 

[poormansjb]

If it helps, I own Module 2 which is more or less identical to 6.