We Came In Peace
July 20, 1969. A little over eight years since the flights of Gagarin and Shephard, Apollo 11 landed on the moon. A number of model companies offered models to commemorate the Apollo program, issuing kits of the Saturn V rocket, Lunar lander and the Command Module. Probably the most popular was Revell Model's Saturn V rocket in 1:96 scale (almost four feet tall). Another popular kit was 1968's release of the LEM and Command capsule in 1:48 scale. At the time of all the kit releases I wasn't all that interested in space craft or models in general (a '65 Ford Mustang and a girl named Debbie occupied my spare time). Luckily Revell re-issued the Apollo space models over the years and I was able to scoop up all the major kits that I missed back in the late 1960's. The diorama was a re-issue of the '68 Lander kit in 1:48 scale. There's not a lot to the kit (like most missiles or rockets) but I enjoyed building it even after all these years. Now if Ford would re-issue a 1965 Mustang (at a popular price) I'd be a happy man!
Never had a 65 Mustang but I did know a girl named Debbie...,nice kit by the way 🙂
N.
Not the same girl, I hope...
LOL, I have a '66 Mustang convertible but alas no Debbie. Nice work on the LEM.
Damn...I never had a Mustang OR a 'Debbie" (some guys have all the luck). 🙁
Nice job on the base/diorama (yes, I noticed the footprint) - did the kit provide the 'distressed' plastic for the [foil] parts or did you fashion it from aluminum foil ?
Craig
the model comes with a gold "foil" but it doesn't stick very well, plus there is not enough to cover all the surfaces of the actual lander. I tossed the kit's foil in he trash and used my favorite stand-by, Bare Metal Foil, both gold and aluminium foil. If you haven't used the Bare Metal Foil, give it a try. It improves the look of any car model that lacks "chrome" trim that's molded on to the car body. Also works on natural finish aircraft models. Thanks for the kind words.
Good job on the model, Mike. I see that Ford have announced a new Ford GT to commemorate their GT 40 Le Mans victories, but I don't think it's at a reasonable price. In 1969 I think I had a MG Midget, but I can't remember the girls' names!
Thanks George. Hey, I had a 1964 Midget, it was a real "hoot" to drive but was very high maintainence...I never understood the "Lucas, prince of darkness" joke until I owned the MG...
Very nice build, you nailed the NASA pictures, well done
I've seen a few of these built up at the big shows. I think there was even a SIG in support. You've achieved a nice balance with the terrain; the dark colours really set off the lighter finishes of the craft themselves.
Rob, I added some Woodland Scenic ground cover (gray sand) to give the base more texture, The entire base was airbrushed with different shades of flat gray. Thanks for the nice comment.
Amazing! An absolute delight to look at! Well done!
Great Dio. I remember building the Airfix 1/72 Apollo kits as a kid - they were no where near as good as these. Well done Mike.
That's awesome Mike! Is that real foil you have used? Very impressive diorama and also the first one I have seen of the moon landing.
I hope that when I am an old man I can model the Mars landing! Maybes wishful thinking though...
Thanks Richard, I used gold Bare Metal foil, the kit's foil was hard to work with.
Looks good. THe Lunar surface looks convincing too.
Looks like the Eagle has landed Mike.
I did the Airfix versions years ago.
Nice one mate.
Maybe this was how the moon landing was "faked" in that hanger.
Creative diorama Mike. That gold foil really brings it to life.
Thanks everyone for the kind words. Space stuff isn't as interesting as aircraft models, but it's fun to build a spacecraft once in a while. (Plus they look cool suspended from a ceiling and are easier to dust!)
I still have my '67 Mustang and my first girlfriend in 7th grade was named Debbie...does that count?
: )
Nice builds, need to break some of my Apollo kits and get them built.
wonderful as always