mb1k
Well-Known Member
Those two extra photos that you posted in the other thread were brand new to me when I saw them earlier. Thanks.
I was referring to the leading edge scallops on the left and right. The leading edge of the orbiters consist of 22 Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels as part of it's thermal protection system. They are numbered 1 to 22 front to aft.
I could try to load an image of the panel layouts later (have to go to work now) that is good reference for modelers to shade those panels correctly or even lightly scribe. Though you shouldn't scribe IMHO since even at 1/72 it would be out of scale. Remember, these panels are the leading edge of the orbiter's airfoil and are smooth in real life, almost seamless.
I believe they have their characteristic "tiger shrimp" weathering/shading due to maintenance swap-outs or direct replacements and what we are seeing should be the contrast between newer and older panels. Although, there's not really a ready material inventory of them and they're fairly expensive as all things are.
I only know a little more than the average bear because it was my graduate research project (the Columbia Accident) for my master's thesis. I do mean "just a little" more...
This is one of the better threads I've been able to participate in. Being able to see the evolution of your project from start to finish through timely updates is a rare thing in this hobby/business. Hope you keep us all in tune with all your projects this way.
I think you may have convinced me to do a true studio replica for the sole purpose of having a side by side collection with my notional Drax Orbiter and an accurate NASA Orbiter. That'd be a lot in 1/72, but I do have a few 1/100 Tamiya Orbiters sitting around :confused
I was referring to the leading edge scallops on the left and right. The leading edge of the orbiters consist of 22 Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) panels as part of it's thermal protection system. They are numbered 1 to 22 front to aft.
I could try to load an image of the panel layouts later (have to go to work now) that is good reference for modelers to shade those panels correctly or even lightly scribe. Though you shouldn't scribe IMHO since even at 1/72 it would be out of scale. Remember, these panels are the leading edge of the orbiter's airfoil and are smooth in real life, almost seamless.
I believe they have their characteristic "tiger shrimp" weathering/shading due to maintenance swap-outs or direct replacements and what we are seeing should be the contrast between newer and older panels. Although, there's not really a ready material inventory of them and they're fairly expensive as all things are.
I only know a little more than the average bear because it was my graduate research project (the Columbia Accident) for my master's thesis. I do mean "just a little" more...
This is one of the better threads I've been able to participate in. Being able to see the evolution of your project from start to finish through timely updates is a rare thing in this hobby/business. Hope you keep us all in tune with all your projects this way.
I think you may have convinced me to do a true studio replica for the sole purpose of having a side by side collection with my notional Drax Orbiter and an accurate NASA Orbiter. That'd be a lot in 1/72, but I do have a few 1/100 Tamiya Orbiters sitting around :confused
