Global Scale Modeller

On Sunday 20th July at 20:17:40 UTC the world held its collective breath as the Apollo 11 Lunar Module "Eagle" touched down on the surface on the moon and Neil Armstrong transmitted one of the most enduring phrases in exploration: "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

A few hours later at 02:39 UTC on 21st July Armstrong opened the hatch and began his descent to the surface at 02:51. At 02:56:15 UTC on 21st July he became the first person to stand on the surface of any celestial body outside the Earth when he planted his left foot on the lunar surface. Whilst still holding onto the ladder Armstrong unveiled a plaque on the side of the Lunar Module which reads "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."

Armstrong then stepped off the ladder with another phrase that has entered the annals of history "That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind."

Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin joined Armstrong on the surface and together they spent approximately two and a quarter hours on the lunar surface before returning to the Lunar module for seven hours of rest.

At 17:54 UTC on 21st July the crew launched the ascent module away from the descent stage to begin the hazardous journey home via the lunar orbital rendezvous with Michael Collins in the Command module.

It's the launch from the moon that I've attempted to capture here because although the focus is rightly on the historically significant landing and exploration the return journey was no less hazardous and often overlooked. Apollo 11 was no different - while moving within the cabin, Aldrin accidentally damaged the circuit breaker that would arm the main engine for lift off from the Moon. There was concern this would prevent firing the engine, stranding them on the Moon. Fortunately, a felt-tip pen was sufficient to activate the switch.

Those of you that have seen the video of Apollo 17's lunar launch will know that there is little to no visible exhaust from the ascent stage so I hope you'll forgive me some artistic license in adding a plume here to give some dynamism to the result.
















The build thread is here

Thanks for looking.

Amazing what you've managed to get out of this kit! I had a feeling you were planning a mid-launch pose, so pleased you did

Oh just completely so freaking awesome in so many ways!!!! WHAT!!! Its ascending!!!



just awesome, just freaking awesomei


Only one problem tho about the ascent you forgot to mention Neil.

Didn't realise you were going to show it 'in flight'.

Looks really cool and a great result given what you had to work with.

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 7:05 pm Didn't realise you were going to show it 'in flight'.

Looks really cool and a great result given what you had to work with.

Same here! That is a nice touch!

Only one thing to say...

THAT is pretty darn cool
Well done

ElCapitan wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 4:41 pm Amazing what you've managed to get out of this kit! I had a feeling you were planning a mid-launch pose, so pleased you did

DrSprue wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:22 pm Oh just completely so freaking awesome in so many ways!!!! WHAT!!! Its ascending!!!



just awesome, just freaking awesomei

Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 7:05 pm Didn't realise you were going to show it 'in flight'.

Looks really cool and a great result given what you had to work with.

DBMiller wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:52 pm Same here! That is a nice touch!

BobM wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2017 12:16 am Only one thing to say...

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Mon Nov 13, 2017 2:41 am THAT is pretty darn cool
Well done

Thanks guys - really appreciate it

I wanted to keep the "lift-off" idea under wraps during the build for a couple of reasons: 1. I wasn't sure it'd work and 2. I wanted to keep it as a surprise for the reveal I guess blanking off the ascent engine bell and the two additional holes I drilled were the clues which Rob picked up on

I didn't have any NASA sized problems to overcome but I wasn't sure that the asymmetrical ascent module would sit nicely balanced on the Perspex rod (it did - pretty much first time) and the first attempt at making the plume with cotton wool just looked awful. So I went exploring and found the wool roving (unspun yarn) at a general hobby store (Hobbycraft for those in the UK) which worked well white-glued into place and teased out with fingers and a cocktail stick.

DrSprue wrote: Sun Nov 12, 2017 5:22 pm Only one problem tho about the ascent you forgot to mention Neil.

LOL - yep Tony, kind of like the CSM getting a parking ticket while they were away!

its good Neil but I was expecting a diorama including a camera and Stanley Kubrick.....


cheers
Paul

Absolutely amazing!

Quax wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:00 pm its good Neil but I was expecting a diorama including a camera and Stanley Kubrick.....


cheers
Paul

Cheers mate! I'll leave construction of miniature movie sets to Scott but I guess I could have hidden the whole thing behind a stonking great black monolith and saved all the trouble painting it

bfrd wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:28 pm Absolutely amazing!

Thanks Matthew (& Bob)

Tomcat64 wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 4:39 pm

Quax wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 2:00 pm its good Neil but I was expecting a diorama including a camera and Stanley Kubrick.....


cheers
Paul

Cheers mate! I'll leave construction of miniature movie sets to Scott but I guess I could have hidden the whole thing behind a stonking great black monolith and saved all the trouble painting it

bfrd wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:28 pm Absolutely amazing!

Thanks Matthew (& Bob)

THE MONOLITH!!



Open the Pod bay doors, NEIL!

DrSprue wrote: Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:19 pm Open the Pod bay doors, NEIL!

I'm afraid I can't do that, Tony.

Whats the problem?
What are you talking about....NEIL?

DrSprue wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2017 12:35 am Whats the problem?
What are you talking about....NEIL?

You know what the problem is, Tony. You spilled TET in the pod bay doors.

Tomcat64 wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:24 am You know what the problem is, Tony. You spilled TET in the pod bay doors.

AAhhh! No problem Neil..I'll go in through the emergency airlock!

DrSprue wrote: Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:35 pm AAhhh! No problem Neil..I'll go in through the emergency airlock!

I can't let you do that, Tony. The emergency airlock was made by Revell so it doesn't fit properly and we've run out of filler...

Tomcat64 wrote: Fri Nov 17, 2017 8:59 am I can't let you do that, Tony. The emergency airlock was made by Revell so it doesn't fit properly and we've run out of filler...

I dont care Neil, this EVA pod was made out of resin and even without my space helmet, I'll use a 3D printer and make one.... Im coming in now.. (well, ok,... maybe after it prints in a few hours)



Its taking too long for the helmet, Im in!.... no air, thats not air... OMG, its full of.... Tamiya Extra THIN!!!

LOL - I really don't know why Kubrick didn't think of doing it our way

Superb result I really like what you have done top job and a great entry to this SIG

Tomcat64 wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:54 pm LOL - I really don't know why Kubrick didn't think of doing it our way

Damn, how did I miss out on all that fun....hilarious you guys
That HAL scene really freaked me out as a kid

NorthernModeller wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 2:30 am Superb result I really like what you have done top job and a great entry to this SIG

Thanks Ivan

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 4:09 am

Tomcat64 wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:54 pm LOL - I really don't know why Kubrick didn't think of doing it our way

Damn, how did I miss out on all that fun....hilarious you guys
That HAL scene really freaked me out as a kid

I think you were stuck in an elevator with Steven Tyler at the time

Yah there was something about that voice that was just so unnerving


Don't let that worry you, Scott. We have a spare pod if you'd like to step in...

Tomcat64 wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 11:00 am

NorthernModeller wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 2:30 am Superb result I really like what you have done top job and a great entry to this SIG

Thanks Ivan

Twokidsnosleep wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 4:09 am

Tomcat64 wrote: Sun Nov 19, 2017 5:54 pm LOL - I really don't know why Kubrick didn't think of doing it our way

Damn, how did I miss out on all that fun....hilarious you guys
That HAL scene really freaked me out as a kid

I think you were stuck in an elevator with Steven Tyler at the time

Yah there was something about that voice that was just so unnerving

Don't let that worry you, Scott. We have a spare pod if you'd like to step in...

Yanno I think we all new the AI possibilities could do something like that. Now with Echo, Siri, Alexa, etc.. in your home, we have just opened up our houses and families to hackers around the globe. No guys, this is not Scifi anymore.

DrSprue wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2017 2:19 pm Yanno I think we all new the AI possibilities could do something like that. Now with Echo, Siri, Alexa, etc.. in your home, we have just opened up our houses and families to hackers around the globe. No guys, this is not Scifi anymore.

My brother was watching TV earlier this year and a Google commercial came on, and when the commercial said "OK Google" his phone replied "I'm sorry I didn't understand what you were asking" which kinda freaked him out.

Apparently Alexa has been ordering all kinds of stuff from Amazon for the same reason, and Amazon have had to refund a ton of stuff.

I say this again Neil, you made an awesome LEM!

I really like this especially the gold foil.

DrSprue wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2017 3:09 am I say this again Neil, you made an awesome LEM!

Thanks Doc!

TeufelHunden wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2017 6:27 pm I really like this especially the gold foil.

Thanks Scott - appreciate it

Wow!

You have really done wonders with this kit (I have it in my stash)...

Excellent dio of a classic moment in space history!


Tommy

TommyKillander wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2017 11:18 pm Wow!

You have really done wonders with this kit (I have it in my stash)...

Excellent dio of a classic moment in space history!


Tommy

Thanks Tommy!