Monogram Shuttle Stack

[Wombat]

So i've had this kit for quite sometime now,infact since early 2000 but because of a crap job trying to assemble the big ET back then,it got boxed not long after and has sat ever since.It's hard to believe it was that long ago really.

The problem i had was the seams on the ET couldn't really be puttied and then sanded back because the tank came pre textured already.Well least someone with my ability shouldn't have attempted it anyway.To make matters worse the tank was a pretty bloosy average fit as well.So i tried to putty an area of the seam back then and it looked pretty damn terrible on the bit i did.I then just left the rest and painted the tank up instead but because of the area i tried doing it really ruined the whole thing,so it was boxed!

Well some ten n a bit years down the track it's time to blow a crap load of dust off this thing and have another go.I started out breaking it all down again to try and get a betta fit to start with this time.Might have got it a little betta this time but it still took some putty.That though is not a problem this time as i went and sanded all the texture off the tank.The idea is to just try and spray a rough texture back on now and hopefully it look about right for the scale.To me the pre texture was way over done anyway along with a few other things but,it could still be a killer kit none the less.Or hopefully will be.

I originally wanted to build this up as a flight that had a meatball logo shuttle on it but the tank would require a bit of work to make it look like the super lightweight tanks and even as a lightweight tank that it looks to be based on it's still not exact to how it should be.Still it's pretty close and i think i'll just go for a flight that used a lightweight tank over the super lightweight and build it pretty much OOB.

So the flight will be STS-89 and will be the look i'm going for marking's wise.Why STS-89?Well that was the flight i was lucky enough to view back in January 98 so i think it'll make a cool subject to do.;)

Anyone got any good links to reference of this mission,i found some shots in KSC images but thats been about it?

So the pictures below show the texture that was on the tank that i removed and the tank now back together again and seamless.
To give an idea of size (the SRB's are just dumied up),that ain't no minature door and the Saturn V is 1/70 scale. :-)

We'll see how we go this time with it all?:hammer:

[Refit1701]

I have one of these kits too but have not been willing to take the plunge. What you have done so far look great!

[Raytheon]

Friend Wombat!
Tried out the KSC image gallery like you did:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm

Where ya got the search box, in the keyword thing, put STS-89.
Click the 'Images' thing at the top of the search box, click the 'Phrase' button below where ya put in STS-89, then click the 'GO' button.

Got 167 results on images when I tried it just now, no idea if you have already trudged through it completely but best I can come up with in a hurry for ya.

Fill thine boots fella! :D

Go easy.

[Wombat]

I have one of these kits too but have not been willing to take the plunge. What you have done so far look great!


Cheers and it's a second start that so far is looking betta than the first attempt.You know,you have a few cool builds to get around to at some stage.Think you should just rip into one of em,it's not like we are gonna be here forever.I'm sure you'll do just fine!;)


Friend Wombat!
Tried out the KSC image gallery like you did:
http://mediaarchive.ksc.nasa.gov/search.cfm

Where ya got the search box, in the keyword thing, put STS-89.
Click the 'Images' thing at the top of the search box, click the 'Phrase' button below where ya put in STS-89, then click the 'GO' button.

Got 167 results on images when I tried it just now, no idea if you have already trudged through it completely but best I can come up with in a hurry for ya.

Fill thine boots fella! :D

Go easy.

Thanks Ian!

Yeah that was the only site i've had any luck finding some good pictures of the stack from that launch.Theres not a real lot and they even used a few tv caps there for a few of em.Then some of the shuttle shots at the end are of Atlantis not Endeavor.Oh well,it's never gonna be spot on anyway but i should be able to get things looking pretty much the part(markings wise),sorta.:-)

[LastBattlestar]

Another idea for the ET finish: you know that suede-look interior paint? Might be good as an undercoat, it's acrylic and MIGHT go through the airbrush....

Mike

[Wombat]

Well i just went with the dry blow it on that DD suggested and it worked out not too bad.Could have been betta if i could get some consistency with it but like always it sorta worked out in the end.The picture i've posted where the camera had an orange attack sorta shows it if you look closely at it.Warning,Do not View..to people that can't stand orange!!LOL

So here is a small update on what would be ET-90 used for the launch of STS-89.
It's almost got all it's markings on it now,just a couple of things i can think of that still need doing.But it's pretty close to having the plumbing and bit's added.Some of those pieces are very over scale but since this is basically an OOB build they'll just have ta do.

So anyway,heres the tank as of now,it's based around an early pad arrival time by the way it is coloured.Especially the section on the intertank on the SRB sides.Those darkened off while sitting at the pad but where quite yellowish on pad arrival.Anyway,thats the time frame i'm working with as reference rather than launch time where things had darkened off somewhat.

So i guess it's now actually further along than what it was before and with no shit fit or seams showing.:-)

[feek61]

Oh that looks great!!! I live near the KSC and have seen these tanks in person many times. You really nailed the look.

[Wombat]

Thanks!!

You don't know how long it's taken me to get this look with it but i'm reasonably happy with it,even if not entirely still.

Oh,half ya luck living close ta KSC,bet thats really cool!!:cool:

[Wombat]

Didn't quite get the ET finished tonight but if all things go to plan it'll be all done sometime tomorrow.Just a few things left and it'll be all done then onto the next pieces.At this rate this will be like all my other builds a bloody long one.This should be the easiest bit of the build i'm thinking yet it's still taken me weeks to get it to where it's nearly done.

Yep,a long build it'll be!:rolleyes:

Anyway,just for glipse of how it's looking thus far,heres a small picture ta give ya's an idea how it's scrubbing up.

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47107&stc=1&d=1293544222

[Refit1701]

This build continues to deliver!

[Wombat]

It's not delivering much,but thanks,John!:-)

So,here it is,i'd like to say it's finished but there is one thing i need to touch up again,could leave it but it bugs me.Then i still need to look at the front bipod mount and see if i use the holes that are in the tank already or if i can get away with moving it into it's correct position.Need to see how it will sit with the orbiter on it to see which position i'll go for.

So bar those couple of things this tank is pretty much now done.It's far from spot on by any means but looks pretty much how ET-90 did,sorta,and compared to how it was before it's vast improvement.;)

[Wombat]

OK,so i went ahead and made new holes for the bipod mount and have puttied up and repainted the old ones on the tank.So now that i will have the bipod more close to where it should be i decided i needed to make up the lil bipod ramps that were still present on tanks back then.
Nothing that flash,just a lil bit more detail for the tank.

[LastBattlestar]

Nice work so far there, young Phil. I know you've wanted to build this for a long time, so don't stop until it's FINISHED!*

I can't wait until we pack those boosters full of gunpowder and magnesium shavings and take some FX pics.:p

Mike
















*Who the frack am I to lecture on finishing anything?:D

[Raytheon]

That friend Wombat, is a damn sharp piece of work thusfar sah!

The look of it is on the nail to my peepers so that would be more than good enough for me. Cleanly done job on what can be a pisser of monumental proportions.
Always glad to know i'm not the only 'silk purse from sows ear' merchant about the place so it's all good :D

[Wombat]

Thanks gentleman!!

Yeah,this ones been sitting for a decade Mike and i know you know how long that actually is.Still,the bit that put me off in the first place is almost done and i can really live with it this time.So now i gotta get onto the rest,hopefully the solids will go together pretty well.The seam on the inside wont be seen i dont think because they sit so close to the ET.Perhaps something that wont need putty?

Ian,yeah this one had problems from the start.It's a shame as it's such an impressive kit to start with.But having a pre textured tank and a less than average fit ain't good for people who dont like big ugly seams.Still,a bit of elbow grease and it's starting to polish up more like how it should be.

Thanks again guy's and small update,everything is now painted and ready to glue on.I'll save that bit till when i get up later but that'll be it for ET-90 finally.:cool:

[Refit1701]

Monogram could have done a better job on the molds for the tank but at least they did put out the shuttle stack in such an impressive scale.

You build is going great. Don't settle for good enough...that way it won't bother you later!!

[Wombat]

Thanks again!!
Too right there,it's betta ta have than not have and i for one am very happy Monogram went to the trouble to tool up for such a large kit.Tank probelms or not!
I've read that this kit is to be re released again and have seen some online shops have it listed as a pre order already although no expected date is shown.Thats still great news as it'll give me the chance to get another one.It would be nice to build the tank with things more in scale than what comes standard in the kit and the intertank area does need some work to make more accurate.But that'll all be for another build?

This one is just doing what i can with what comes in the box pretty much.

So the tank is all done,the last things are done although i'll hold off gluing the bipod mount and ramps on till near the final construction.The way i go about things i'd be bound to break that mount off.The lil bipod ramps i had to redo,the ones i did were ok if the kit was 1/48 scale but it's not.Even now they look too big but they need to be able to fit over the mount connects so this is the best i can come up with.

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47189&stc=1&d=1293804874



Another area i am pretty happy with the outcome was the area right at the top of the tank.Was a lil bit worried how the masking job was gonna look after the tape was removed but it turned out looking ok.

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47190&stc=1&d=1293804874

[Wombat]

This really ain't worth showing but aye,what that hell.

All these pieces make up the two SRB's along with the piece joined to the tank itself.It doesn't look like much and it's not,but the seams that run down the sides through the systems tunnels took forever to get to a sort of presentable look.I can't actually believe they took me so long and i wont care if i never see another seam again.I'm bloody happy these ones are done!!:hammer:

So i'll let all this sit now and harden up a lil,then tomorrow,i mean later today now,i will splash some colour onto it.
Not that white is much of a colour but still.;)

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47218&stc=1&d=1293975229


Oh and if ya's have some time check this video out.This is pretty cool and narrated by people that know what they are talking about.
Unbelievable slow motion footage!!:cool:

W2VygftZSCs

[Refit1701]

Looking good! I have so many projects in progress right now (including replacing the engine in my wife's 1:1 car) but this thread makes me want to start the shuttle stack.

:D

[Wombat]

^
Be good ta see ya building yours up!!
I'm sure that loving n caring wife of yours won't mind using public transport for a lil bit.;)

btw,thanks again!!

[Qrest Fourstar]

I built one of these between my Junior and senior year of high school. Went to Target and they had a ton of them on clearance for $30. wated a week and they had marked them down to $15. When the school year started again, I put it on display in the library(just the shuttle) and got a little blurb in the school paper about it.

I'd love to build one nowadays since my skills are a bit better.

I'm enjoying this thread quite a bit!

[Refit1701]

Naaa, she needs her car back in working order. Hopefully I can finish it in the next week.

Meanwhile I can watch your build!

Did you photograph the building of the shuttle?



^
I'm sure that loving n caring wife of yours won't mind using public transport for a lil bit.;)

btw,thanks again!!

[Wombat]

I built one of these between my Junior and senior year of high school. Went to Target and they had a ton of them on clearance for $30. wated a week and they had marked them down to $15. When the school year started again, I put it on display in the library(just the shuttle) and got a little blurb in the school paper about it.

I'd love to build one nowadays since my skills are a bit better.

I'm enjoying this thread quite a bit!



A lil bit of recognition for ya at school,do you still have that build?Bet ya wished ya grabbed a trolly load of em at the time back then at that price,they were almost giving em away.Good news is it appears that it's going to be re released again at sometime,it's just i haven't seen any dates,just pre order.It wont be $15 but least it wont be some rip off evilbay price either.;)
Hope ta see ya try another!



Naaa, she needs her car back in working order. Hopefully I can finish it in the next week.

Meanwhile I can watch your build!

Did you photograph the building of the shuttle?

OK,good call probably,a happy wife will let you play afterwards!;)

As for the shuttle,that got boxed as well.I joined up the two fuselage halves and drilled out the startrackers then boxed it with the rest.So thats side of things isn't really started yet and the startrack holes i drilled where shown on the model but those positions are not quite right.So i've put some epoxy over them holes and will drill out some new ones once i get to the shuttle side of things.Got a couple of good Dennis Jenkins books coming that should have plenty of useful reference in em hopefully.


Anyway,get cracking on that car then ya can get cracking on ya build there also,plus the wife is gonna be happy!!:D

[Refit1701]

I have the Jenkins book too and I can just sit and flip through the pages and stare at the photos all day. Wonderful book.

I hope you photograph the shuttle build!!

I could have had the engine installed yesterday but one of the parts was defective so it's off to yell at the parts man today.

[Wombat]

That be right,nothing can go how it should.Hopefully it's just a small setback but already you're two days behind where ya could have been with it.Well once done i hope you still have some motivation to start up a build there,any of your realspace collection would be fine but these shuttles are pretty impressive.

The shuttle when i get to it will be interesting to say the least.The texture it has with it's blankets are gonna be pretty hard to replicate which is a problem as so much of the shuttle is covered with them days.I did buy some rolls of surgical tape when i purchased this kit,i'd read or someone had mentioned people trying that stuff to get the look.Not sure if i'm gonna try it or not,i could see years of cutting tiny squares and shapes for it not to even look that good.Might just end up painting the model but i'll probably have a go to see what the effect looks like anyway.
Yeah i'm loking forward to seeing that Jenkins book.I'm sure it'll be the same one i've got coming.That and also the RTF picture book he did.Won't be any action round here that night,like you i can geek out on that sort of stuff for hours.

[Wombat]

Not really much to report,the SRB's are going through a drying stage at present and still will require at least another good coat before they are done.So not much will be happening there with them for a few more days at the earliest.More than likely a week as i've gone against my norm and used an enamel white rather than acrylic.Plus once they are dry i need to clean em up a little.The damn sections were like fine bloody particle magnets.I think everything i painted needs something cleaned up on it.

Anyway,tonight i thought i'd see how that surgical tape would look.I'm surprised that it's even any good still being more than ten years ago that i purchased it,but good it still is.Anyway,it sorta might give the right sort of look,least betta than straight plastic if nothing else?But in saying that,just laying these few pieces on very roughly i think i won't go that way for this build.It's not just that there would require a shit load of cutting of this stuff but more so that all the tiles would then need to be cut and applied also because of the lip that there is on the edge of the tape.This tape is not very thick either (but thick enough) which would require the tiles being cut from paper almost.I have 0.25mm styrene and that is probably twice as thick as what is needed.


http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47268&stc=1&d=1294143443


http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47270&stc=1&d=1294143443



So i think i'll just paint the damn thing like most people do and just go with that.Still,i think it'd be interesting to see how this tape would look with cut tiles also.It'd probably look PFG but like i mentioned it'd be an absolute shit load of work and probably push a builder over the edge.

Actually building a SS Battlestar may even be easier??:eek::p



Well probably not,but still.:hammer:

[LastBattlestar]

I saw Phil's build yesterday and it's looking pretty sharp. The ET is massive!

Phil, what about using masking tape for the thermal blankets? It might be thinner and also has a fine grain to it. You'd have to seal it with something when done, but it might work?

MIke

[Refit1701]

It's the cutting of all those tiny squares which is maddening. Plus the tiles on the belly will need to be .010 styrene, scribed with joints and laid out in thin strips.

There several really good builds on the web which would be a guide. I'll have to hunt them down.

[777]

Good experimenting though. It doesn't look too bad in the photo's. Would they get "thinner" after applying a coat of something over them?

[Wombat]

I saw Phil's build yesterday and it's looking pretty sharp. The ET is massive!

Phil, what about using masking tape for the thermal blankets? It might be thinner and also has a fine grain to it. You'd have to seal it with something when done, but it might work?

MIke

Yeah that might work also but in all honesty this tape is probably no thicker than masking tape.It's probably only 0.1-0.15mm as it is and the thinnest styrene i have or seen is gonna be 0.25mm (.010) which then would make the tiles too thick compared to the tape.


It's the cutting of all those tiny squares which is maddening. Plus the tiles on the belly will need to be .010 styrene, scribed with joints and laid out in thin strips.

There several really good builds on the web which would be a guide. I'll have to hunt them down.

Yep a lot of cutting indeed!!
I have decals coming for the belly and around the RCS which would be another problem using the tape again.I'd need to skin around the RCS to bring the decals upto the tape height again.



Good experimenting though. It doesn't look too bad in the photo's. Would they get "thinner" after applying a coat of something over them?

Not sure if they would or not,but they would have to be painted and sealed afterwards.They might do the opposite and swell up like one of them ladies products??:eek::wtf:

[Wombat]

OK,off the bench with the other shuttle and back to this in the next couple of days hopefully.So SRB's are all white again and once the markings and decals are on em will be hit with a light dull coat just to take a lil shine outa em.Got some tape on it's way from jammydog that should get here this week sometime.So then it'll be onto masking up the boosters and applying the black and red bands to em.I also need to make up a yelowish/orangish colour for the foam also that is around some of the joints.These things to me still feel like they could use some more drying time,so i'm really in no rush to be laying tape on em.

The boosters are just dummied up on the tank again,everything will be done to em and then they will be applied once finished.


http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47387&stc=1&d=1294654932 http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47388&stc=1&d=1294654932

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47390&stc=1&d=1294654932 http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47389&stc=1&d=1294654932


So it's back to this again,once the tape lands we'll see what trouble i can come up with!! LOL;)

[Refit1701]

Looking good!

The foam impact abosorbers are sprayed on so you could actually put some putty on the lower sides of the joints, per photos of the prototype. You'll have to decide if just painting them on will look good enough for you.

[Wombat]

Thanks John!!

Yeah i was thinking about trying out some putty for a closer look with it.The SRB's in the kit actually have a pre tapered bottom to those rings,i guess it's there way of doing the foam perhaps.
I think there are some inaccuracies again with these also perhaps.Am i right in thinking ALL the joints (rings) should be the same width on em.All the joints lower than the bottom ET attach point are quite wide compared to all the ones above that attach point in the kit.From what i can tell they should all be the same width?Just another thing that perhaps you might know also,are the three positions where the foam is the stiffner ring locations?Thats how it's looking to me but i'm not sure and perhaps why is it just these three areas have that foam?

Always like learning more and thanks again!!:-)

[Refit1701]

It must be the stiffner rings. STS 89 photos are not easy to come by as you probably know. I have searched around and don't see any specific SRB photos but any which show the foam should be correct for all SRBs.

[Raytheon]

I don't know wether it will help any but here's a couple of drawings from a document stashed in my ref archives.
Bear in mind this is 1977 vintage so it has not much, if any exact detail on foam application to the SRB's joints for modern day gear but it's got the joint rings stuff in some detail so may be of assistance for the shape/size of the thingies and where they be ;)

http://www.ianlawrencemodels.com/srb1.jpg

http://www.ianlawrencemodels.com/srb2.jpg

Go easy!
:D

[Wombat]

Thanks fellas!!

Yeah,my searching for really good usefully STS-89 pictures has been a bit like finding hens teeth.Still,there are a few that show the markings pretty much of the SRB's for that flight.


This is a picture from the rollout that shows enough.The black bands all look to be about the same thickness,the same with other flights.The kit though would need some work to make them all the same width so i guess it'll just have ta be a case of painting the same width markings on all of em and be happy with that.

http://www.resinilluminati.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47396&stc=1&d=1294690596

[Refit1701]

The following aren't from that mission but if you squint you can see the SRB's and the areas we've been talking about. :D

http://apollosaturn.smugmug.com/Space-Photos/Shuttle-SRB-Photos/SRB-ring-foam/1152965519_3Qw6u-XL.jpg

http://apollosaturn.smugmug.com/Space-Photos/Shuttle-SRB-Photos/SRB-ring-foam-2/1152965563_i7WSA-XL.jpg

http://apollosaturn.smugmug.com/Space-Photos/Shuttle-SRB-Photos/discovery-belly-srb/1152965812_5ggSA-XL.jpg

:cool:

[shaihulud_42]

Here's a few more from STS-89 that I had sitting around that might help. Are you looking specifically for the upper SRB or lower SRB portion?

[Wombat]

Here's a few more from STS-89 that I had sitting around that might help. Are you looking specifically for the upper SRB or lower SRB portion?

Nothing in particular but anything and everything that is from STS-89 showing the stack/orbiter could be useful.I have them pictures you've posted but thanks.This mission doesn't have a great lot of imagery that is useful and being a night launch those pictures aren't much help either.

Still,it did light up the sky pretty damn good that night!!:cool:



The following aren't from that mission but if you squint you can see the SRB's and the areas we've been talking about. :D

:cool:


Cheers John,i have quite a few like those also to use for some reference and in the case of the foam they'll work fine.It's more just getting whatever markings need to be on em in the correct spots along with things like the rear ET attach band thingie looks to be white in the centre for STS-89 and i guess other flights of this period,where as the later ones look to be grey.
I posted that picture more just to show how the black bands on the SRB's look to be around the same width which means i'll just have to paint the same as i see even though the lower bands on the kit are four times as wide on some of em.
The kit is wrong detail wise or i'm just not seeing something,even squinting at that..:D

[Wombat]

Thanks mech!!

I sorta can't wait to see what i'm gonna do with the shuttle either cos,i really just don't know at present.
First though the SRB's need some stuff done and then i'll finally have to decide i guess.

[dbhs]

Is there some way you could burnish the texture into the plastic instead of applying all that tape? I'm thinking something like a fine metal file pressed in hard on the plastic may get you a similar look but without applying all those squares. I'd test paint on that tape and make sure it doesn't fuzz up and ruin the look. ---Just brain storming. You'll get it somehow.

[LastBattlestar]

I reckon you're gonna have to aztek mask the shuttle and paint it with lots of different shades of dirty white....:(

Don't forget to mask and paint the serial numbers on each tile. Easy.

Mike

[Wombat]

Still not sure what i'll do about a texture,dbhs but like i mentioned,it might just get painted and me be happy with that.The tape did look good to me but theres a lot of work there and then the tiles also.Just what i need,another drawn out build as if i don't have enough of them already..

Mike,i was thinking,you might be persuaded ta do that side of it for me.Ya gonna need a steady hand though!!:p

[LastBattlestar]

No worries, I'll start cutting 15,000 microscopic serial number masks tonight. Won't take long.

I was thinking about the blanket textures again, maybe a satin paint of slightly varying shades might replicate the texture? You'd still have to do a crapload of masking, but I've learnt to never underestimate your skills on a tough project.

Mike

[Refit1701]

Are you trying to get a texture on the SRB's now? I lost track somewhere. I know you're discussing the shuttle tile details and all that scribing you're gonna be doing!

[Wombat]

No worries, I'll start cutting 15,000 microscopic serial number masks tonight. Won't take long.

I was thinking about the blanket textures again, maybe a satin paint of slightly varying shades might replicate the texture? You'd still have to do a crapload of masking, but I've learnt to never underestimate your skills on a tough project.

Mike

I think you'll need to cut a few more than that,don't forget the white tiles have them markings as well.;)Hell if ya gonna go to th etrouble i might as well build a Challenger orbiter,it was more like 40,000 i think.:p

You know,i like the look of the tape although i'll wanna see what it looks like after primer and paint.This one is not really what i can build mate in the way of having it look realistic,not many i have seen have been either.I found a link to one build that had used some sort of tape,maybe even surgical and it looked PFG to be honest with ya and gives me ideas,a lot of time consuming ideas at that.:hammer:


Are you trying to get a texture on the SRB's now? I lost track somewhere. I know you're discussing the shuttle tile details and all that scribing you're gonna be doing!

Nah mate,Mike was just going back to the shuttle blanket texture and maybe another way of getting the look.Still not sure that i'll go all that way with the tape and all them tiles,but i haven't said i won't yet either.

Have you seen one of those 4D shuttles at all by any chance.If so how did it look in the way of being accurate in it's profile.I thought about even getting one of those and just painting that up if it was more accurate than the kit shuttle.Maybe an expensive way of doing it but if it looked better in the first place i'd consider looking into it perhaps.Hell,then i'd have more time to make tiles and blanket patches also i guess? LOL

[Lord Darth Beavis]

Wombat, have you thought about Cutting Edge Decals' tile decals? Also, you may want to try contacting JBGroby at SSM. He did a shuttle in tape, and IIRC, wound up scribing the tile decal on the bottom, or at least used the decals. Dunno if they have a set of decals for Atlantis, though.

[BB43MAN]

For the shuttle thermal blankets try craft paper. Hobby Lobby sells textured craft paper that has the exact same hatchwork at the real blankets. Each side of the paper sheet has a different texture so, you could mix and match. Just cut with scissors and viola! It's what I'm using on my 1/72 shuttle study model. I've attached some close up pics. See how that works out. Oh, and the yellowish color is just from my desk lamp. The paper in question is stark white.

:D

[Refit1701]

That's a great idea!!

[Wombat]

Thanks for the input guy's.Been away for a bit and this one is back on hold again but i like the look of that BB.As John said,thats a great idea!!
This will be the same as the tape in that all tiles would need to be done in styrene i guess to make up the thickness of the paper still.A lot of work but it would be worth it for an authentic look.

Are there any pictures of how it looks on your study model there BB?

[JMChladek]

Wow, looks like a joined just in time to see this great Monogram build come together. I've done two of these kits. One was done as the STS-117 Atlantis stack and it is now on display at the Strategic Air & Space Museum near Ashland, NE. The second one I finished this past year and it was customized and done as Moonraker 6 (it sits on my TV now).

Wombat, I love what you have done thus far mate! Your ET tank color looks very good and I love the PAL and Bipod ramps that you added to the ET as well. It is one of the best ETs I've ever seen done from that kit.

The craft paper idea is a very nice one and I may have a go at it myself. I've seen the tape method used and it can work, but the edges for the AFRSI blankets tend to shed. One thing that helps minimize the shedding is to brush on a thinned down white glue mixture over the top before cutting and that tends to help the tape keep its shape. The tricky bit with doing AFRSI though is there is a beveled edge step on the FRSI blankets on the fuselage where they meet with the AFRSI (the wings don't seem to have that). Only way I can think of to maybe represent that step is to putty those areas and sand to shape. I've I ever do a blanketed shuttle model, I may use a thinner weave paper or cloth to represent the thinner FRSI material.

BTW, if you haven't worked on the back end of the orbiter yet, you might want to acquire a new set of the Fisher resin engine bells.

http://fishermodels.com/?mainURL=/store/category/h9li/Spacecraft.html

They are brand new and I had a hand in the research on these (and coming up with fixes for a couple minor detail issues which have been incorporated into the production line). They are designed to fit the Revell kit, but they can easily be added to the Monogram full stack kit as well. The rear RCS modules have incredible detail on them, complete with simulated tile and AFRSI detail.

[youngtiger1]

I hope you guys won't mind me digging up an old thread cause I want to know what else has happen to the models. Was it completed?

Wombat, your work on this model is awesome. I have the same kit in revell box and going to build it someday but reading this thread I already pick-up some super ideas from you work like the textured craft paper...genius!! simple yet perfect. Glad I found your WIP.

Mike

[Wombat]

Thank you and sorry for the late reply, Mike.

This one is still awaiting me to get back to it. I didn't go any further with it and is still how it was when last posted. All the extras i purchased for this and books for reference never landed down here. A little issue with having the items forwarded there was. At this stage i have no intentions of getting back on it anytime soon bnut maybe one day i will.