DBMiller's 1/96 Apollo / Soyuz

[DBMiller]

I guess I will start one after all. I bought this at a serious discount (you can see why!) some time ago. I've just started researching the mission and the kit for this build but I already knew some things about it - I watched it live on TV when they linked!
The most special part about this (mission and build) is that Deke Slatyton, one of the original Mercury Seven, finally got to fly in space! He had been grounded for a minor heart problem and never got his Mercury flight. He did, however, get to be Director of Flight Crew Operations and god help you if you crossed him!
There is nothing special about the kit. It is an old Revell 1/96 scale with (according to what I've read ) the wrong Apollo space craft version. The Soyuz craft got better marks but is still very simplified.
I'm all for simplified right about now! In fact, this is so small I may not even have to clean my work area!


The box is in pretty ratty shape; in fact the bottom is long gone!

DBMiller_IMG_0016 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0020 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

The parts are still bagged but the decals - well...I'll work on it.

DBMiller_IMG_0019 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0018 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[DrSprue]

That looks really cool DB. Yea, no problem with the box and the decals (only a few needed and I bet youll find good replacements). I am sure it will be an awesome kit to do and when done it will look great!
Hand over the snacks please!

[DBMiller]

The great Robert McCall's painting of the mission!

430583main_mccall01_full by Donald Miller, on Flickr

A much nicer model than mine will be.

Gateway_12-001 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

And a beautiful museum display.

NAASM_apollo_soyouz by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[DBMiller]

The instructions are in English and Russian. The are simple to follow since there are so few parts. They even tell you what the parts are!

DBMiller_IMG_0064 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0060 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0061 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0062 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0063 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

The parts:
Lots of flash and soft detail. Should be fun at seam clean up time.

DBMiller_IMG_0054 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0056 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0057 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0058 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0059 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Here is a scale shot. It’s a small kit so it won’t take up too much room when finished!

DBMiller_IMG_0077 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[Tomcat64]

That painting is absolutely stunning isn't it!

Looking forward to seeing you work with IP instead of Vacform for a change

[DrSprue]

I love the sprues... even with a small bit of flash it looks like a really fun kit. I even put it on my wishlist.

[DBMiller]

I love the sprues... even with a small bit of flash it looks like a really fun kit. I even put it on my wishlist.

It is going together faster than any kit I've built in a while. It may be inaccurate but I don't really care - it should look pretty sharp. If I get the paint right.

[DBMiller]

A few shots of the start. It only comes with two astronauts (one astronaut and one cosmonaut) but I put them both in the Apollo. You can't see much of anything in the capsule but nothing at all in the Soyuz.

DBMiller_IMG_0066 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0069 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Ah-seams...
These were real fun to clean up. I had to add some surface detail to replace what I sanded off. It won't be accurate but will break up the look a bit.

DBMiller_IMG_0071 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0074 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

The capsule didn't fit on the pegs right even after cutting off the locator pins. I cut off all of it! So there.

DBMiller_IMG_0075 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[DBMiller]

Moving right along:

IMG_0079 by Donald Miller, on Flickr
IMG_0082 by Donald Miller, on Flickr
IMG_0078 by Donald Miller, on Flickr
IMG_0083 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[Twokidsnosleep]

Very interesting kit, you are progressing well

I just can’t help but think of flatulence and how those two capsules would smell after a very short period..blaach

[DrSprue]

Oh there looking really great so far DB! Awesome attention to the detail.

[DBMiller]

Very interesting kit, you are progressing well

I just can’t help but think of flatulence and how those two capsules would smell after a very short period..blaach

You asked for it...

[youtube]9WoM2bHfr48[/youtube]

[DBMiller]

Oh there looking really great so far DB! Awesome attention to the detail.

Oh, I love that!

[DrSprue]

Very interesting kit, you are progressing well

I just can’t help but think of flatulence and how those two capsules would smell after a very short period..blaach

You asked for it...

[youtube]9WoM2bHfr48[/youtube]

!!!!!

[DBMiller]

Working on the Soyuz painting:

First pass on the white. The rest will be that Russian blue/green on the main hull; blue solar panels; and metallic docking clamp.

IMG_0018 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Masked and base coat of metallic for the solar panels. All the metallics are Vallejo Metal Color acrylic over Vallejo Metal Color primer.

IMG_0036 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Docking adapter:

This will be black with a metallic clamp.

IMG_0019 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Engine bell of the Apollo. Tamiya interior black looks pretty good here.

IMG_0020 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

The metallic paint is on. Just like tight spandex - shows every wrinkle and bulge!

IMG_0029 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Some of the detail painting done. Will finish off the back end with an engine touch up and gray for the rear plate.

IMG_0038 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[Twokidsnosleep]

Still tying to digest that spandex comment
Coming along very nicely

[DrSprue]

Great looking modules!

[Stokesy44]

Looking really good Sir.

Fascinating that this mission ever happened given the global politics at the time.

[Tomcat64]

Great work knocking these into shape - even with the added Spandex

[DBMiller]

Just a quick post today. Trying out colors for the solar panels: clear blue over silver. Not sure I like where it's going so I may paint it black then try the blue. After that the frames will be white. The hull color is not too bad though.

On a technical note: I know many of us modelers hate masking of any sort but I think I must be one of the worst! What a load of touch up this needs when I'm done!

DBMiller_IMG_0040 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[DrSprue]

That is looking really nice DB.

All I have to say is..... Это выглядит здорово

( I hope the google translater is working correctly! )

[DBMiller]

That is looking really nice DB.

All I have to say is..... Это выглядит здорово

( I hope the google translater is working correctly! )

It comes back as "it looks great". Thank you!

[Tomcat64]

The body colour looks great, but can see the solar panels being a challenge - it might even be worth trying a gloss black as the undercoat?

[DBMiller]

The body colour looks great, but can see the solar panels being a challenge - it might even be worth trying a gloss black as the undercoat?

That's what I was thinking.

[DBMiller]

Just a quick update.
Glued the docking adapter to the Apollo capsule.

DBMiller_IMG_0045 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Re-primed the solar panels black. I'll try the clear blue over that and see how it looks. Then it's on to massive touch ups!

DBMiller_IMG_0044 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[Tomcat64]

Looking good - you're almost Go for docking!

[DBMiller]

Rear end masked and painted.

DBMiller_IMG_0048 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0053 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Just ignore that nasty rear end seam will you? I guess I'll have to fix it...

Masking the solar panels.

DBMiller_IMG_0054 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

First coat of paint.

DBMiller_IMG_0061 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

And, of course, there will be much touch up after this.

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking good - you're almost Go for docking!

Nope, gonna keep it G rated here

[DBMiller]

Finishing off the touch up painting on Soyuz.

DBMiller_IMG_0065 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

The paint used for the green.

DBMiller_IMG_0070 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Just some touch up on the white and pretty much done!

DBMiller_IMG_0077 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Painting done as far as I can take it. No weathering on this one so no way to hide any (of the vast number of) mistakes!

DBMiller_IMG_0080 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

Next up - the base. I think a matte black will do nicely. I don't think I'm steady enough to detail out the logo though. Too bad, it would look pretty sharp.

DBMiller_IMG_0083 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

And a teaser for the finish!

DBMiller_IMG_0089 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

[Twokidsnosleep]

Looking good!!!

For the base, hmmm
If you paint first with a silver to colour the raised lettering, then spray your base’s colour overtop, after it has all dried then you can wipe off and expose the silver of the letters say with a Q tip dipped in a smidge of IPA
That might work. Or a silver paint pen like a Molotov

[DrSprue]

Looking really nice Don. Great paint detail!

[NorthernModeller]

Really liking the colours you used on this. Looking forward to the finished result

[DBMiller]

Base done! The silver shows up the logo and text without having to mask and paint them. Once my flash batteries are fully charged I'll start taking the reveal shots!

DBMiller_IMG_0098 by Donald Miller, on Flickr

DBMiller_IMG_0099 by Donald Miller, on Flickr