T O P I C R E V I E W |
Norman.King | Checkout RealSpace Models: Three great new models and for me the gem is the 1/144 Skylab. |
X-Plane Fan | Finally, a decent Skylab kit. I know Glenn does great work. I'm really looking forward to this one. |
RocketmanRob | RealSpace Models' 1/144 Skylab is now available via their website. Nice addition to the recent release of some great space models. |
Ronpur | I have been waiting for this kit for a long time!! I am very happy it is ready! I will have to wait a bit to order it since I just bought 4 Apollo Dragon kits in the last few weeks! |
divemaster | Glenn sent me final photos of the Skylab model awhile ago and swore me to secrecy. I'm glad to see that he finally is ready to sell it. I think he's been working on this for close to 10 years. I just want to know how the solar panels attach - that has always been the hardest parts of Glenn's models. I have two of Glenn's models on order right now. I will get to Skylab. However, I must warn anyone who has never worked with resin, NOT to start with this model as your first model. It is a very unforgiving medium and is not as simple as attaching part A to slot B. However, if you have experience, I'd jump all over this one. Can't wait to hear from people who get the first few. |
backof | Received mine today. I've been waiting so long for this one I can't believe I'm holding it my hands. I also can't believe how fast Glenn shipped this one. All I can say is thanks Glenn! |
arjuna | I dreamt of Skylab when I was 10, so I'm very happy to see this one represented. I second the motion about working with resin. It's not for the casually inclined. |
divemaster | quote: Originally posted by backof: Received mine today.
Please keep us informed with a day by day blog of your impressions of the model. |
rasorenson | I've been waiting for a 1/144 Skylab for.... decades. I can hardly believe Glenn is sending them out. I have not had experience with resin models and have a few waiting for my attention. Your recent posts have me wondering what the secrets are for handling resin as opposed to pressed form plastics. Can anyone lend some advice? |
divemaster | Mine is officially on order. Waiting a LONG time for this one, too. |
divemaster | Glenn mentions that parts are included to build the "Pete Conrad Sunshade fix" as well as the "Alan Bean Sunshad fix". The "missing" solar panal that was ripped off during launch will be available later on if you want to build it as originally designed. |
divemaster | Setting up the original sun shade would be an interesting diorama if you could get astronaut figures in the correct scale and positions |
apolloprojeckt | I hope to order soon that one from Glenn in Germany. I;m still busy with a 1/72 and 1/100 version cutaway with unfold solar panels. The 1/72, it must fit on the Saturn V and be covered with cone. |
Norman.King | For all of you who are waiting for your kits to arrive here's a little taster of what's coming. |
divemaster | Hopefully mine will arrive this week and answer my question about how Glenn did the solar panels. It looks like they're solid brass...curious as to how they're going magically become solar panels. My experience, long ago, with building Mir's solar panels was an absolute disaster and I take 100% of the blame on that one. Attaching them to the model I'll blame on Glenn |
divemaster | My Skylab model arrived. Glenn has REALLY improved the solar panels (in comparison to the old ones were on his MIR model). I have two ideas on how to make them more realistic. It will be interesting to see which one, if either of them, actually work. If you're a masochist, you could really have some fun masking and airbrushing. Those spaces between the solar cells are NARROW. I'd have to measure, but I think that even 1/16" masking tape would be too wide. |
divemaster | I've been doing some dry fitting of parts on the Skylab model and my hat is off to Glenn for his design work. Right now, I'm working on my strategy for how I want to display it. All of that PE is going to make if a very fragile model. But I REALLY like it. (And I hate to admit it - and Glenn would kill me, too - but it would be very cool in 1/72 scale with some more detail work like the EVA hatch and the airlocks. But I'm grateful for finally getting this one after all of these years.) |
arjuna | quote: Originally posted by divemaster: It would be very cool in 1/72 scale with some more detail work like the EVA hatch and the airlocks.
Sounds like a perfect opportunity for someone to do a PE upgrade set.
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divemaster | Norman, have you decided how you're going to color the solar panels? After some trial and error, I think I'm going to use the MonoKote metallic sapphire film for each individual panel. Looks a lot more realistic than paint. Tedious work, but I think it will be well worth the trouble. |
Norman.King | Tracy, I lack the skills to build this kit to the standard I want so my friend Steve Nichols will be building it for me soon. I know he used pearlescent paint on the MIR photo-etch panels and they look great but I don’t know what he has in mind for Skylab. |
history in miniature | I might use metallic blue candy wrappers as I have done in the past. |
divemaster | What would we do without candy wrappers? |
divemaster | Hobbylinc.com carries the MonoKote in 36" strips with an adhesive backing. Works like a charm. I just wish it was as thin as Bare Metal Foil. But the color is perfect. |
history in miniature | Candyland Crafts sells extra thin confectioners foils that work perfectly with 3m spray adhesive applied to the back of the foil. It's just like using bare metal foil and these products are what Glenn includes with his kits when foil is needed and the gold foil provided in the Skylab kit is from this candy supply store. |