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  Restoring/repairing Topping aerospace models

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Author Topic:   Restoring/repairing Topping aerospace models
hinkler
Member

Posts: 573
From: Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 04-15-2009 10:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for hinkler   Click Here to Email hinkler     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I was lucky enough to buy a Topping XB-70 model recently. Unfortunately it did not come with the base. Any suggestions on finding one? Or does anyone have one for sale?

The model has two small yellowish marks that are about the size of sticky tape and about half an inch long. Is there any way of removing these without damaging the model?

history in miniature
Member

Posts: 600
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 04-16-2009 05:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for history in miniature   Click Here to Email history in miniature     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Can you provide some photographs of the model? Restoration can be a very tricky endeavor, and on a piece of history like that, sometimes it is better left alone.

dwmzmm
Member

Posts: 82
From: Katy, TX USA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 04-16-2009 06:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dwmzmm   Click Here to Email dwmzmm     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Agreed; remember the old adage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

E2M Lem Man
Member

Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted 04-16-2009 09:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for E2M Lem Man   Click Here to Email E2M Lem Man     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by hinkler:
I was lucky enough to buy a Topping XB 70 model recently. Unfortunately it did not come with the base.
I know that problem as I purchased an old Topping XB-70 like that one and it is here in the plant with me, but putting it on a stand was cool to have!

I got mine at an old hobby shop for pennies and had to re-glue the broken fuselage and then no display stand? Hmmm, what to do?

I used a classic Lindberg model stand (XB-70 of course - and even the nameplate) because the locater pins and center of gravity were almost the same - she looks really nice on it even today.

gliderpilotuk
Member

Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 01-17-2010 05:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for gliderpilotuk   Click Here to Email gliderpilotuk     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone "repair" Topping models? I'm looking at purchasing an aircraft model that is intact but shows some wear to the paintwork and (painted?) decals. Can these be restored, or would the cost be prohibitive?

Editor's note: Threads merged

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-17-2012 08:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I recently bought a Topping Apollo and I was surprised how good of condition it was in. It had all its parts and there were no cracks in any of the parts. The clear conical support is yellowed as are all the decals.

NASA Glenn
Member

Posts: 79
From: Cleveland OH
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 11-18-2012 05:59 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for NASA Glenn   Click Here to Email NASA Glenn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I think the Apollo CM/SM/LES stack was produced by Walter Hyatt Models who was a former Topping employee.

I would be interested in a set of replacement decals for the Apollo CM/SM stack and a replacement for the rectangular piece that holds the wiring between the CM and SM.

Any thoughts about a full height clear LEM shroud and folding LEM legs so a Precise LEM could be displayed in the Hyatt stack?

Topping made some Saturn V sections on transport cradles at 1:100 scale.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 11-18-2012 07:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by NASA Glenn:
...a replacement for the rectangular piece that holds the wiring between the CM and SM.
Me too, that part is almost always missing.

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-18-2012 10:38 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes, that part is really simple so I can replicate it, I was very lucky mine had all the parts.

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 11-19-2012 02:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The person who does the landing gear is an amazing machinist, he'll have no problem making a set of legs that can fold up. Here's an example of his work its called an Orrery, a working model of the Solar System, every gear is custom cut by him and every single part is built by him, these sell for $30,000.

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 01-01-2013 04:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've created a set of decals to restore your Topping Apollo model. I measured each decal carefully and overlaid them with the originals to make sure the size and shape of each was exact and correct.

The large decal sheet for the Service Module will be tough to apply, it's big and needs to wrap around the cylinder with the correct alignment and not trap air underneath.

Here's a pic, the SM decal is a little light, I need to darken the lines a little but this is just a quick test print.

apolloprojeckt
Member

Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 01-01-2013 04:13 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for apolloprojeckt   Click Here to Email apolloprojeckt     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Looks great!!!!!!!

Voodoo1200
Member

Posts: 59
From: Leander, Tx USA
Registered: Feb 2009

posted 12-26-2014 06:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Voodoo1200   Click Here to Email Voodoo1200     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Anyone have or know where I can find a Turbo Vent Tube for my Topping Atlas rockets? Please email me if you do voodoo1200@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Editor's note: Threads merged.

Retro Rocket
Member

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 02-10-2015 01:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Success! I have replaced the large decal on the Service Module and it looks pretty nice. A couple years ago I got a complete Topping Apollo in its original box. All the parts were there and the decals were in good shape but they were very yellow. I carefully measured each marking and created a set for the Command Module but that left the Service Module which is one big decal.

A clear waterslide decal that big poses several problems. It's fragile and if not lined up correctly from the start, adjusting it could create tears and wrinkles. Also applying such a large clear decal without trapping a bunch of air bubbles underneath also is tricky, or so I thought. I wracked my brain thinking of what process could be used to get the alignment right, avoid trapping air, doing it in one shot.

I thought, well Walt must have come up with an easy solution because a lot of these needed to be built and the last thing you'd want is a tough process with a high failure rate.

Over the last few years I've been using very large decals and clear coats until I finally came up with a reliable system. But I hadn't been using large clear decals. Trapping air and the fragility of the clear decal sheet were the two biggest problems. When I solved the fragility problem it became easier to use a process to apply the wet decal in a way the nade sure it was placed correct, aligned and didn't trap air as it went on. It was actually really simple, I was shocked... it was like I figured out how the pyramids were built.

I'm going to refine everything just a little, once I'm satisfied I'll be able to restore your Apollo. Since mine was complete I'll be able to mold a few parts and replicate the others in metal, like the Escape Tower Support and boosters. The base will be the trickiest since it's clear. I'll have to make a replica using clear urethane vs. acrylic.

Here's a few preliminary shots, once I have the final version with the correct clear coat I'll take some better pics and show each part along with the cost, Thanks!

Rick Mulheirn
Member

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 02-10-2015 11:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Rick Mulheirn   Click Here to Email Rick Mulheirn     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
JP, the Hyatt CSM looks superb! Great job. I was wodering what the characteristics of the modern clear coat are compared to the "original" stuff that yellows pretty badly. Any idea?

Tomy1
Member

Posts: 179
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 08-07-2015 03:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tomy1   Click Here to Email Tomy1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone have a current email address for the gentleman(s) who can fabricate parts for the Grumman Lunar Module model? Thanks.

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