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Author Topic:   Retro Rocket space contractor models
Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 05-28-2010 07:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
These are some of the models I built for NASA doing business as Retro Rocket. Each model shown was produced for NASA under contract for the various programs and sites across the U.S.

Every model was produced at least twice. The X-43 desktop models had the highest production of 225 "A" models. Each X-43A has 202 holes that needed to be hand drilled with a pin vise to remove the black paint and expose the white plastic that simulates the filler used to cover the holes before flight. 202x225=45,450 holes hand drilled! I think next time I'll make the holes "raised dots" so I can sand off the black paint.

My favorite projects were the X-33 and X-43. I dealt with the lead guys directly and I got to see some neat stuff. That's how I got my Skunkworks badge! The X-15A-2 shown was also purchased by NASA along with a few Wright Flyers built using the Hasegawa Museum model in a diorama format.

Most of the tooling for these models is still around but since becoming disabled in Dec '05 I've had to put a hold on the NASA work for now. In my down time I've been putting together a very detailed CAD model of the X-15 that's being used to create a full cutaway model.

The first NASA Program I worked on was the X-33 Competition models. It was my model of Lockheed's X-33 that was used at the winning X-33 design at JPL.

Shown here are the 1/100 set of the three competing designs. Five sets were made, one given to Vice President Al Gore, one to NASA Administrator Dan Goldin and I forget the other two.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 05-28-2010 07:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The success of the first few X-33 models lead to larger scales like this 1/8th X-33 and other programs like the X-34 and the Maglev also shown.

On the Maglev I turned two very pointy nosecones that went on the front of the intake cones. They were taken off because I made them too sharp I think.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 05-28-2010 07:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As the X-33 evolved, so did the models and the scales. I eventually produced the X-33 in 1/100, 1/50, 1/25, 1/15 and 1/8th scales. Eleven 1/8th models were produced for the participating NASA sites. While our competition was using drawings and old school modeling we were using Rapid Prototyping techniques using the same CAD data used to make the real vehicles.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 05-28-2010 07:20 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

Jerry Brouillette
Member

Posts: 147
From: Louviers, CO
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 05-29-2010 11:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jerry Brouillette   Click Here to Email Jerry Brouillette     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Some beautiful work Retro, very nice!

How did you get started modeling? I need a job like that!

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 05-29-2010 11:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I've built model kits ever since I was young. My Mom wanted me to do things that would occupy my time since I was an only child growing up in the country.

I studied Industrial Design at CSU Long Beach and Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Star Wars was my big inspiration and I did movie models after college.

I've always been into aerospace. Thanks!

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 06-01-2010 04:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The X-43s were produced for the Hyper-X Program. Since Dryden was fairly close to my shop, I always delivered my models in person.

Doing so I got to see everything up close and deal with the Program Managers directly. I saw all the launches and even was there when Discovery landed on the 100th Shuttle mission.

One of the managers enjoyed coming to the shop as Summer, the girl on the X-43C full scale model #2 was around.

The models produced ranged from desktops to full scale and models of each X-43 version were built. There was the X-43A, the last one in the Mach 10 config has the black l.e. on the verticals. The X-43C was the next planned version using jet fuel instead of hydrogen as fuel

The X-43B's came in two versions, the TBCC, Turbine based combined cycle and the RBCC, Rocket based comb. cycle. These were both larger vehicles designed to be carried on the NB-52, but they did not require the Pegasus booster like the A and C.

The A model was made in 1/72, 1/12, 1/4, 1/3 scales

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 06-01-2010 04:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
X-43A with NB-52/Pegasus booster 1/72 and 1/32, X-43A w/ Pegasus booster 1/4

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 06-01-2010 04:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here's the X-43B models in 1/4 and 1/32 scale as part of the executive set of all four models, the A&C in 1/12 and the B's in 1/32.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 06-01-2010 04:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
And the full scale (16') X-43C.

Matt T
Member

Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001

posted 06-01-2010 05:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Matt T   Click Here to Email Matt T     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
This is seriously accomplished stuff - thanks for sharing. The table full of the desktop models has a touch of Star Wars about it; just add a few TIE fighters weaving around them and run the John Williams score

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 12-17-2011 02:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I built this for the Dryden's Hyper-X program a few years ago. I lost the pics I had after I was disabled. Fortunately Tony Landis was able to send me a few pics of it, I guess it's back on display.

Boeing gave me a CAD model of the "H" model at DFRC and I used it to create all the master tooling parts. I had the wings' CNC'd out of aluminum billet and the look just like a wind tunnel model's wings.

Here are a few pics. I also built five 1/72 models of this model, that's the one on the last pic. The big one is mainly fiberglass and the small one cast urethane.

When I was building the original model I made an extra body thinking I'd finish it and hang it in my shop. The first one didn't have much detail, I want to do one with all the panel lines and a cockpit.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 12-17-2011 02:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

history in miniature
Member

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

posted 12-17-2011 06:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for history in miniature   Click Here to Email history in miniature     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Stunning, Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Jerry Brouillette
Member

Posts: 147
From: Louviers, CO
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 12-17-2011 06:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jerry Brouillette   Click Here to Email Jerry Brouillette     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Big scale models rule! Nice work.

Skyforce1
Member

Posts: 200
From: Vineland NJ, USA
Registered: Aug 2009

posted 12-18-2011 06:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Skyforce1   Click Here to Email Skyforce1     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I love the B-52 BUFF! Spent many a night walking around them! In fact I know how many rivets are in each one!! Great job on all the models, truly outstanding and dedicated.

Retro Rocket
Member

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

posted 12-18-2011 09:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Retro Rocket   Click Here to Email Retro Rocket     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I finished a 1/15th X-15A-2 for the Hermann Oberth Museum in Germany. It's done in the white world speed record config. I'm working on one in black that will have more detail like the rivet pattern done using decals and an accurate rapid prototyped end piece for the XLR-99. That model is taking forever, I sure miss having my own shop.

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