Global Scale Modeller

Yahoo, Space is up
I have three space-related builds I want to do over the next three months...see how my time goes.

My first planned build

Space Shuttle Enterprise aloft the 747 on test flights in 1977.... will add some history next post
I vividly remeber these tests as a kid and the early days of Shuttle launches until all the screw ups...not the Shuttle's fault, all human errors.


So this is my starter kit

Academy kit, which is made in South Korea so lots of weird squibbles on the sprues.
Got it pretty cheap off E Bay.
And speaking of sprues here we are




There are no instructions at all in the box, but it looks to be pretty self explanatory and fortunately NASA left some brilliant detailed info on how to attatch the Shuttle to the top of a 747

Oh yea!

So think about 1977 if you can...I was 9
Either '78 or '79 we did a school trip to Seattle to see King Tuts Tomb display and I swear to god we saw the Space Shuttle on the 747 at Boeing Field. Funny I cannot find any evidence to support that foggy memory but when I saw this kit on sale, it pressed a button in me.

In 1977 NASA began testing the flight characteristics of the Shuttle for its re-entry portions of missions and of the SCA's (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) behaviour flying with the Orbiter on top of it. Approach and Landing Tests these were called
Two specialized 747s were procured to carry the orbiter around first for tests and then for promotions around the world. American Airline Livery was on those two early planes until they were changed to a white grey fuselage with blue line for NASA.
1981 was the first mission of Columbia into space, so they took some time getting the tests done right.
Enterprise flew perfectly after being ejected from the top of the airliner.
Here is the video of that first Approach and Landing Test, this was August 1977
Times have changed, funny to listen to the host babble on.

[youtube]v-YNcwc1ZME[/youtube]

Funny they need a note how to load the shuttle. Someone must've tried it white side down.

TeufelHunden wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:59 am Funny they need a note how to load the shuttle. Someone must've tried it white side down.

NASA Space Shuttle technicians were a funny humerous bunch

Found my instructions....thank you Sclaemates.
For god sakes loook there first next time

Nice choice mate

Great subject and thanks for the video,very interesting.

Since this is a Scott thread, I thought I would reply with a meme.

Yay

An epic from Scott in prospect

Meme's ahoy!

Looking forward to seeing this one come together dude

Thanks guys, I kind of bring that all on myself don't I
Funny stuff to wake up to

A little more reading on the Enterprise and an interesting story unfolds
It was not constructed with heat resistant tiles and was never meant to go into space. In fact by the time Columbia took flight in 1981, they had re-designed the space shuttle so much that any plans to convert Enterprise to space worthy were scrapped. So she was the promotion and test mule and eventually retired and put on display.

These guys showed up on her unavailing...recognize anyone?? There is someone significant missing from the photo..bit of a Canadian jerk if you ask me


Test fitted the shuttle parts and got them trimmed and sanded and tape fitted last night.
Very simplistic kit with minimal tile detail...might just keep it that way as a daunting task to scribe or paint tiles on her
Will definitely be making a pitot tube for her nose though...she was the only Shuttle with that on it

Darn Scott, had that same kit in my stash as well. No problem tho, my plane experience is still a bit unsteady, still trying to finish an old WWII plane as well. I did modify that entry into scalemates myself tho about 5 months ago when I just started using scalemates myself. (I think the pic too, but dont rem now). I scanned in the entire manual as well so Im sure its the one you have along with the decals and such. I do love that spaceship, even tho it didnt see any and your right... yup the Canadian boy from Montreal was missing. I was born in Canada myself and I was so sad he did not attend. Its an insult to our heritage!

Good luck with this build my friend, If you dont mind, I may grab some tips along with your build so when I get a chance for that cool plane, it may come out better... than what ive been doing for a while now (haha)!

DrSprue wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:48 pm Darn Scott, had that same kit in my stash as well. No problem tho, my plane experience is still a bit unsteady, still trying to finish an old WWII plane as well. I did modify that entry into scalemates myself tho about 5 months ago when I just started using scalemates myself. (I think the pic too, but dont rem now). I scanned in the entire manual as well so Im sure its the one you have along with the decals and such. I do love that spaceship, even tho it didnt see any and your right... yup the Canadian boy from Montreal was missing. I was born in Canada myself and I was so sad he did not attend. Its an insult to our heritage!

Good luck with this build my friend, If you dont mind, I may grab some tips along with your build so when I get a chance for that cool plane, it may come out better... than what ive been doing for a while now (haha)!

Thanks bud
I think you should make yours as well, in fact please do that...maybe update the paint to the newer white/blue scheme as I am going to do the old school American Airlines with the Enterprise on it.
Would be great fun to see two of these made up
Oh and thank you so much for scanning in the instruction sheets, not a complex model, but good to have some direction

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:06 pm
Thanks bud
I think you should make yours as well, in fact please do that...maybe update the paint to the newer white/blue scheme as I am going to do the old school American Airlines with the Enterprise on it.
Would be great fun to see two of these made up
Oh and thank you so much for scanning in the instruction sheets, not a complex model, but good to have some direction

Oh that would be cool Scott. Ill skip two planes tho at this time. Im still having issues with setting up may paint booth. If I do this sig, I may just do something a bit more simpler like one of the older rockets from the 50's or something. Simple to make and even better with one paint job at best, lol

DrSprue wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:06 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:06 pm
Thanks bud
I think you should make yours as well, in fact please do that...maybe update the paint to the newer white/blue scheme as I am going to do the old school American Airlines with the Enterprise on it.
Would be great fun to see two of these made up
Oh and thank you so much for scanning in the instruction sheets, not a complex model, but good to have some direction

Oh that would be cool Scott. Ill skip two planes tho at this time. Im still having issues with setting up may paint booth. If I do this sig, I may just do something a bit more simpler like one of the older rockets from the 50's or something. Simple to make and even better with one paint job at best, lol

Ok, your call, but would be happy to have us building along side one another
If you need any help it might be a good time to build together....planes are not that difficult, just some seams to deal with and putty, oh and sanding and paint and then there are the wing roots oh and the cockpit glass. Ya never mind

Found a pretty cool video about landing the shuttle!

[youtube]Jb4prVsXkZU[/youtube]

Funny video indeed
Really glad you posted it
I would call the Orbiter a 'Falling Brick' rather than a flying brick...no engines, one chance to land, hope everything is intact from the trip to orbit and while in orbit.

Moving forward
TET for the 747's fuselage joints and wings. Puttied the latter's edges with Bondo
Their first mating



Size comparison 1/288 vs Air Canada 1/390 model


Cya

That's coming together really quickly mate - looks great so far

Looks a nice size too.

Looking forward to seeing the magic happen!

Oh so excited about you making this historic pair of super aircraft/space machines!! Yea I looked at my Academy and what you said at the begging of the week, to join you, but 4 wings and stuff as Im still working on my one wing hurricane and said ahhh darn, maybe not now, but it really did seem like fun. I need something very simple to "finish". I will tho watch your build with a passion. Our endeavors (no pun intended) with the rockets from our past is what I love to enjoy and the Enterprise is one of them! Should be, I have a closet full of scifi vehicles, space shuttle and rocket kits!!

Good luck with the continued build Scott, give Mr. Shatner a reason to continue to feel bad about not attending that event!

Make it so!

DrSprue wrote: Thu Oct 05, 2017 3:03 pm Oh so excited about you making this historic pair of super aircraft/space machines!! Yea I looked at my Academy and what you said at the begging of the week, to join you, but 4 wings and stuff as Im still working on my one wing hurricane and said ahhh darn, maybe not now, but it really did seem like fun. I need something very simple to "finish". I will tho watch your build with a passion. Our endeavors (no pun intended) with the rockets from our past is what I love to enjoy and the Enterprise is one of them! Should be, I have a closet full of scifi vehicles, space shuttle and rocket kits!!

Good luck with the continued build Scott, give Mr. Shatner a reason to continue to feel bad about not attending that event!

Make it so!

Will Do

Bonus day off today and even better as wife is down with the flu, so no running errands and such. I just had to look after her, get kids to and from school and I modelled.

Working on the 747 belly seams......they are actually not too bad.
I used the saw to define the panel lines on the belly so they were easier to re scribe and clean out after all the sanding



Tape and putty trick with some 3M Bondo and then sanded then added Mr Base leveller 1000 on seams to fill any pores in the putty

While all that putty sets up, I turned my attention to the wings. I decided to BMF them again. Shiny chrome on leading edges and Matt aluminum the rest. New sharp knife and a bit of patience and it moves along swiftly, as someone like to say







My camera and lighting does not pick up the metal look well.
Big decision now is to foil the fuselage or paint it

Then part three of the day off is making lead weights for both aircraft
I use old dental x-ray lead foil from packets I saved prior to going to digital x-rays. They fold and roll up to shape nicely and are heavy.



I will glue the folded piece into the forward sections



Lastly I made an aluminum pitot tube for the nose.
The Enterprise was a flight test mule and so was the only Shuttle with a pitot tube to gather information



And there we are, as simple as that

Ooh, he's got the metal foil out again - we're being spoilt here. It looks beautiful.

I'm proper jealous of that razor saw too. I've got a bespoke modellers tool kit with loads of different blades but nothing as precise as that.

Lovely stuff

Awesome build so far Scott, following along while i think whats in the stash for this sig. Always wondered about this , been tempted to click it sooo many times..



Jase

Wow so far its looks great Scott!! So cool with that bare-metal foil stuff, need to get some! Seems very expensive tho. Its gonna look so very real when its done. Cool build so far.

The enterprise, and you just started it looks......
Someday Ill keep the pitot tube on my list, good call.

Skullfish wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 2:27 pm Awesome build so far Scott, following along while i think whats in the stash for this sig. Always wondered about this , been tempted to click it sooo many times..



Jase

Hey Jase, have not seen you for a bit, great to hear from you mate
Thank for commenting

Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 10:46 am Ooh, he's got the metal foil out again - we're being spoilt here. It looks beautiful.

I'm proper jealous of that razor saw too. I've got a bespoke modellers tool kit with loads of different blades but nothing as precise as that.

Lovely stuff

I am going to hunt for info on that razor saw, she is a lovely tool...Czech made I believe.
I will put up the info when I get to the Nerd Lab later today

BMF is great
Nothing looks like metal like metal does

DrSprue wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 3:06 pm Wow so far its looks great Scott!! So cool with that bare-metal foil stuff, need to get some! Seems very expensive tho. Its gonna look so very real when its done. Cool build so far.

The enterprise, and you just started it looks......
Someday Ill keep the pitot tube on my list, good call.

Long time since I had practically an entire day to model, IT WAS FUN and I actually felt a bit guilty
The aluminum pitot tube is so easy to make, just need the right diameters of tubing.
Boy if I had a small metal lathe, I would be spinning those babies out left and right

Ya the foil is a bit expensive but if you can be pretty precise with cutting and save all the cut offs for other areas not too bad
I just like the look of real metal on these commercial aircraft and honestly find it easier than painting it

I got my JLC Razor Saw from Modelling Tools - its the only place I could find in the UK, it is a fantastic tool:

http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/jlc-204-c.asp

It seems they have the standard one in stock now, when I was buying they only had the Anniversary set, which is more expensive but I think is a better deal over all as it includes an extender to be add to add an extra blade

sheppsea wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:24 pm I got my JLC Razor Saw from Modelling Tools - its the only place I could find in the UK, it is a fantastic tool:

http://www.modellingtools.co.uk/jlc-204-c.asp

It seems they have the standard one in stock now, when I was buying they only had the Anniversary set, which is more expensive but I think is a better deal over all as it includes an extender to be add to add an extra blade

Awesome bud, thanks for that
It is a great tool

Cheers guys. Time to spend some wedge me thinks.

A whole site just for tools? RUN wallet, run while you still can.......

Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:53 pm Cheers guys. Time to spend some wedge me thinks.

A whole site just for tools? RUN wallet, run while you still can.......

Hope that link worked for you, it would not open for me
I did the eBay thing...just switched the links to U.K. For you

Simple version: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Modeling-razo ... 0005.m1851

Anniversary set: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aniversary-mo ... Sw8w1X39QC

I got the second one and will likely never buy another blade in my life as I have two spares and you can flip each blade

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:08 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 4:53 pm Cheers guys. Time to spend some wedge me thinks.

A whole site just for tools? RUN wallet, run while you still can.......

Hope that link worked for you, it would not open for me
I did the eBay thing

Simple version: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Modeling-razor-s ... SwzaJX39C0

Anniversary set: http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Aniversary-model ... Sw8w1X39QC

I got the second one and will likely never but another blade on my life as I have two spares and you can rotte and flip each blade twice

Thanks mate, that thing looks a beauty. 9 days to my birthday - Job done

I'm here and wow it's gonna be a big un

Kingdan wrote: Sat Oct 07, 2017 5:18 pm I'm here and wow it's gonna be a big un

Danno!!!!
Ya not too bad size wise. I put that other airline up for comparison 1/288 vs 1/390
The Revell 1/144 Iron Maiden aircraft, now she is a big girl

I decided to do foil on the 747 so have to go out for supplies today
Visiting a model show as well later this afternoon, solo as my son has a movie date , so will likely find a way to spend some money.

Making the wing root light Inserts
Robbing my eBay collection of small watch parts for small silver bezels

Added a short length of fiber optic tube...not going to do a light source this time unfortunately
Then plunked them into the BMF covered holes and added a dab of Crystal Clear for a lens.....job done


I have the 747 fuselage all masked up and the main white line Ultimate painted last night....let it cure over night

Shuttle came with no windows??

So a little trick, use cheap Mylar sunglasses material....these are disposable ones from the optometrist when they dilate my eyes. Have used this for a X-Wing canopy insert on another 747.
Just cut and carefully bend, then white glue

Wow very cool Scott! Watch parts collection... never thought of that, being an electronics guy, I got alot of other odds and ends that may be cool for models but no small PE like watch components.. hmmm...very cool.

Yup and with mylar sunglass material, yup got alot of those from my eye issues a while back as well, and another cool idea! Wow, thanks alot? Love tips & tricks for this stuff.

I did check my stash for this kit and found the windows, but it seems you did just fine, and I may adopt that idea too, very cool Scott. Looking great so far.

DrSprue wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:00 pm Wow very cool Scott! Watch parts collection... never thought of that, being an electronics guy, I got alot of other odds and ends that may be cool for models but no small PE like watch components.. hmmm...very cool.

Yup and with mylar sunglass material, yup got alot of those from my eye issues a while back as well, and another cool idea! Wow, thanks alot? Love tips & tricks for this stuff.

I did check my stash for this kit and found the windows, but it seems you did just fine, and I may adopt that idea too, very cool Scott. Looking great so far.

Thanks bud. I am going to look for glass, but seems my kit is missing a few bits
And thanks again for scanning the instructions, saves me time for sure

Watch parts are not an original idea....a car modelling buddy turned me onto it.
I have bought from this guy, the small parts as they fit the scale of things I build
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/10g-Pieces-Lot-V ... xyiBpSINdF
I used a number of geared dials and such on the Sea King Helicopter instrument panels and equipment....much easier than scratch building from nothing

Very cool with that link, saves me from going to tag sales and buying old watches too! Thanks Scott.

Awesome!

I'll watch this with interest, great subject!

That bare metal foil looks fantastic, I'll have to get some of that

Good luck, buddy!


Tommy

TommyKillander wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2017 4:00 pm Awesome!

I'll watch this with interest, great subject!

That bare metal foil looks fantastic, I'll have to get some of that

Good luck, buddy!


Tommy

Thank you kind sir

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:35 pm Shuttle came with no windows??

So a little trick, use cheap Mylar sunglasses material....these are disposable ones from the optometrist when they dilate my eyes. Have used this for a X-Wing canopy insert and another 747.
Just cut and carefully bend, then white glue

Nice tip, thanks!

bfrd wrote: Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:50 pm

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:35 pm Shuttle came with no windows??

So a little trick, use cheap Mylar sunglasses material....these are disposable ones from the optometrist when they dilate my eyes. Have used this for a X-Wing canopy insert and another 747.
Just cut and carefully bend, then white glue

Nice tip, thanks!

Ya, it is easy on airliners to do that and straight,flat windows. It would be hard to mimic a curved jet canopy though
For that I have a dental vacuuformer that I want to try out
I am trying to show more of what I do in process rather than just finished so people can use the techniques if they want

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2017 12:00 am Ya, it is easy on airliners to do that and straight,flat windows. It would be hard to mimic a curved jet canopy though
For that I have a dental vacuuformer that I want to try out
I am trying to show more of what I do in process rather than just finished so people can use the techniques if they want

Fascinating stuff. Do you get this creative at work too?

There must be some people with awesome looking teeth wandering round BC.

Just catching up on this one buddy - absolutely awesome start.

Love watching you work your magic with all the extra stuff you throw in