Gi Joe Mercury LES Commission

[Scorpius]

Well, Gotta love how priorities can change overnight seemingly...

My Star Destroyer I'm afraid is going to have to take a back seat for the moment, as I've got a commission from a friend to build the Launch Escape System for his GI Joe Mercury Capsule.

http://www.customreplicas.com/store.pl?p=Accurate_Models_Launch_Escape_System_ki t&s=AMLES

This is the same company that produced the Rocketdyne F-1 engine I built for the same customer earlier this year. They've also got some sci-fi stuff in the works here:

http://www.customreplicas.com/

Since this is a paying job, right now this obviously has to take priority over my own builds. I've come up with a novel way to display it also, by scratchbuilding the adapter and upper portion of the Atlas rocket for the model to sit on. More on that later, so watch this space!

[modman06]

cool, definetly different. take lots of pics. and keep us updated.


al

[Kuhn Global]

Excellent Carlos! It's great to see some of Jim Key's kits being built! I can't wait to see more on the progress!

I LOVE REAL REAL SPACE PROGRAM STUFF!!! :D :D :D

I went ahead and added the thumbnail of the example from Jim's site for you since he is a member here. ;)

[R L Bleecker]

A little trivia.... did you know the Apollo CSM's LES rocket had more thrust than the ENTIRE Mercury/Redstone stack? Cool, huh?

[Scorpius]

Thanks guys and thanks Kurt!

Yeah, Jim's stuff is great! The F-1 engine I built was a unique beauty to behold.

I'm going to be building this from the start of the Atlas booster transition upward.

See attached sketch and option on the far left.

BTW whenever he does finally kit that 1/12 Gemini, I'm going to literally goo myself. I simply must have one!

[Scorpius]

A little trivia.... did you know the Apollo CSM's LES rocket had more thrust than the ENTIRE Mercury/Redstone stack? Cool, huh?


I didn't know that but I can see how it makes sense. Much heavier capsule with Apollo, and the extra thrust was necessary to pull it away from the rest of the vehicle in an emergency. Quite amazing.

[Scorpius]

I got the kit 2 days ago, I'll post some pics later, it's quite impressive.

[modman06]

BTW whenever he does finally kit that 1/12 Gemini, I'm going to literally goo myself.

Just dont post any pics of that build.

al

[Scorpius]

The madness has begun!

[modman06]

Cool. just dont let the wife see that stuff on the counter. ive gotten in trouble for that. you ll never hear the end of it.


Al

[Scorpius]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0703-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0702-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0701-1.jpg

[R L Bleecker]

Hey Scorp....love the pix, but I'd need a 24" Widescreen monitor to see 'em properly. Do you think you could reduce the dimensions down to a thousand-by at least? Thx!

[Scorpius]

Try that shit now. :D

[R L Bleecker]

" HooAH! That's got it!

[modman06]

Cool looks great, keep em coming.



al

[Scorpius]

" HooAH! That's got it!

Good shooting Wedge!

The kit was missing a part, but ALAS! Jim Key has come to my rescue. More later.

[Scorpius]

Working on the towers cross-members at the moment and cleaning up some of the smaller resin and metal parts. I have to start laying out the skeletal parts of the Atlas booster. The model when finished is going to be huge.

[robn1]

Cool project :cool:
I had one of those GI Joe capsules when I was a kid, but it got lost
during a move. About ten years ago I was poking around in FAO Schwarts
and found two reissues, one like the original and one detailed like Friendship 7.
So I got both of 'em ;)

[customreplicator]

1 kit left, if any one wants it.

Contact me at: customreplicas@ca.rr.com

Jim Key - Custom Replicas

[Kuhn Global]

I am loving this piece Carlos! :cool::cool::cool::cool:

Jim... are you not making these any longer? :( They are VERY nice!

[DaveP]

Love it. Keep 'em comin'. :p

[Scorpius]

Thanks guys!

Maybe some updates tomorrow when I have time. I haven't done much over the last couple of days. My sleep schedule is all fooked up. I'm up waay too late and sleeping too late, so I'm basically exhausted all day long. I stayed up this morning instead of going back to sleep. Hopefully I'll be snoozing by 11pm tonight.

[Scorpius]

Wow, I actually got some shit done today.

[modman06]

Good post some pics. been waiting.



al

[Scorpius]

New photos.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0743.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0744.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0739.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0746.jpg

[modman06]

OHH. thats looking good now. love it.

Al

[talon]

looking at that first attached image...

"Phenomenal Cosmic Powers... iddy bitty little space..."
- Genie, Aladdin

[Scorpius]

The tower is nearly done. Lots of little details to finish, then it's on to the booster.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0777.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0773.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0779.jpg

[Wombat]

That's some really Fantastic stuff there!
Damn that detail is just so Cool.
It's sure gonna be one very fine looking piece when you complete it and i look forward to seeing more of this incredible build!


Phil

[Scorpius]

Thanks Wombat!

[Scorpius]

Currently installing 108 stringers around the conical spacecraft adapter. I've got 38 on for tonight. Each one is 3/32 wide, at approx. 3 degrees apart. I think I'm blind..... This project will be done within a couple of weeks, and I can get back to my Star Destroyer.

[Scorpius]

Spacecraft adapter is almost done.... To quote an old Irish priest, "Thanks be to god!"

[customreplicator]

Carlos,

I see you got the jet part.

The build is looking very nice.

This is the first capsule conversion I've seen.

Intriging.

Jim Key -Custom Replicas

[Scorpius]

Hi Jim,

Yes, got the part, many thanks!!! I had thought I sent you a confirmation email....I can't remember LOL.

I was having a conversation with Fred when I build the F-1 about how to display the Mercury and it was my idea to do the adapter and conical portion of the Atlas, he loved the idea. It's a lot of work, but it will look imposing when finished.

Next time I'll keep my ideas to myself..... ;)

[Scorpius]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0791.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0792.jpg

[modman06]

Looking good. man how big is that thing.


Al

[Griffworks]

Awesome! I love the old GI Joe's! I think I've still got a vintage space suit somewhere in a box from my old collection, as a matter of fact.

[Scorpius]

Thanks guys! Approx. 4 feet tall when finished.

[Wombat]

Dude,that is awesome!
Bloody hell,four foot,that's going to be one very impressive display!:thumbsup:
Fantastic work,look forward to the next update!

Phil

[Scorpius]

Nearly done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0812.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0816.jpg

[robn1]

Looks great! But where's the rest of the Atlas? :lol:

[R L Bleecker]

That's definitely some museum-quality work right there...

[modman06]

Another great one. man thats big.


Al

[Wombat]

Dude,that look's bloody fantastic!
Well done with the progress!!
What an awesome piece!!


Phil

[Kuhn Global]

Wow! That is BEAUTIFUL!!! :eek::eek::eek::cool::cool::cool::cool:

[customreplicator]

Stunning!

G.I.Joe would be proud to take a ride atop that stack!

Thanks for letting us be a part of your fantastic build!

Jim Key - Custom Replicas

[Scorpius]

Thanks for the kind words, and thanks to Jim for providing a sweet kit and the prompt fix for the missing part!

Here are some photos of the finished product. It's now safely at it's new home.

My next customer project is a scratchbuilt 1/48 Skylab. I am considering kitting it, right after I finish up my 1/100 SSME upgrade for the Tamiya kit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0839.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0834.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0835.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0848.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0854.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0860.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v333/Sava_Fett/Mercury%20LES/100_0861.jpg

[modman06]

Cool Dude. Looks great. cant wait to see that next one.


Al

[Griffworks]

Day-um! Looks awesome, Carlos! Excellent work and I sure hope that the new owner is happy with that. Can't think of too many folks who'd be unsatisifed w/the work you put in on it.


BTW, nice lookin' family you've got there. Your daughter's a real cutey. :)

[Scorpius]

Thank you!!!

[Wombat]

Damn that is a big bugger!!
Beautiful work dude!!!