Nostalgic Build, a Fun Trip Back in Time
-
- 1. Finished Model, decals from "Real Space Models".
I saw this model in a friend's stash and waxed a bit nostalgic, and he let me buy it off him. I had built this model in grade school, but lacked the skills, and I believe it ended up packed with fire crackers in the backyard. Fun kit, super simple, only 80 parts. If someone is away from the hobby for a while, this is a good one to return to, to practice seam filling, simple masking and airbrush control, especially large surfaces. So much white! I had to wash my hands before every modeling session to prevent marking it up!
I grew up with the space program. Who didn't want to be an astronaut?! I definitely "drank the Tang". I wanted the build to be as accurate as possible to the Apollo 11 launch vehicle. I watched several YouTube videos countless times to make sure I got the roll markings correct and the stages aligned properly.
It was simple, it was fun. Moving on to build a Space Shuttle next!
-
- 1. The S-IV-B or 3rd stage. The upper half of this stage in the kit is not accurate to scale, and the doors that open to reveal the LM are very sloppy. Here I used the conversion kit from "Real Space Models" including the escape tower.
-
- 1. 1st stage F-1 engine cluster had a combined 7.8 million pounds of thrust. The center engine was fixed whereas the outer four were gimbled to help steer the rocket.
-
- 1. Finished stand with figures. The decal is original to the kit, and for the life of me would not lay down flat no matter WHAT I did! Micro Sol and Set, needling, NOTHING helped so it is what it is...
-
- 1. Original CSM and LM from the kit. Will display separately on the base.
-
- 1. Original kit box.
-
- 1. Preshade of stand. This part comes in the kit molded in a hideous "cheese head" yellow/orange.
-
- 1. 1/144 figures. Oh how I HATE this scale!
-
- 1. Ready to head to the "Vehicle Assembly Building"!
That's a wonderful result, Joe @jboyla
The base with the minuscule figures, which are beautifully painted, do show how big that rocket was.
Great result! I'm building this now with my daughter.
Nice result on this. A trip back in time.
Excellent result, Joe!