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Author
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Topic: Revell's 1:48 Lunar Module model kit
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Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 11-04-2009 03:05 AM
   
I'm building the Revell 1/48th scale Lunar Module, and I'd like a little advice.The kit lacks the ascent stage RCS plume deflectors; what's the best way to build them for the kit? This is the first time I have done plastic modeling for nearly 30 years and I would have to rate my skill level as basic. Secondly, what type of material would be good for simulating the lunar surface on the model's base plate? I'm planning to spray the plate with some type of glue, then dust it with some type of powder. The powder may be fine by itself, or it might require a coating of paint. Advice? Thanks in advance.
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history in miniature
Member Posts: 600
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 11-04-2009 05:24 AM
Get yourself a 48th scale upgrade kit from Tomas, New Ware, all the detail items you will need including the plume deflectors, are there. Then go to SMS decals for the finishing touch.Lunar surface, I just acquired a product, haven't used it yet, a jar of Lunar dust, labeled, Lunar Regolith Sample, an extremely fine grained product that replicates the soil. Can't wait to use it. Good luck. |
joe bruce
Member Posts: 129
From: Spokane, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 11-04-2009 11:15 AM
For the plume deflectors I used thick aluminum foil, about the thickness of aluminum pie pans and rebuilt the supports with wire. You can also get rolls of different thicknesses of aluminum or copper at craft stores. I cut the defletctors to shape and rolled them slightly to match the curvature of the originals. With painting they look the part.The dust for the surface, Mount St. Helens ash. Living in the Washington State, I collected a little bit. Spray the base with spray adhesive and sprinkle on the ash. If you sneeze it does move but it looks great. |
history in miniature
Member Posts: 600
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 11-04-2009 11:39 AM
Application, use diluted elmers glue, applied with a plant mister, or a paint brush directly to your groundwork, apply the medium you are using for the dust, let it dry. A couple of applications will probably be necessary, and make sure your groundwork is painted the same color. |
Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 11-05-2009 12:29 AM
I've already seen the kit from New Ware and it looks excellent... but it's probably above my skill level at this time. I'll do another LM after I have built a few more models, and I'll go for a fully detailed model. For now, though, I will just do the basics - but a plume deflector is an important part and I think I can build one as suggested by Joe.
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Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 11-05-2009 04:48 AM
Joe - the aluminium pie dish sounds like great material.Do you have an inner / outer radius to cut the deflectors, and a suggested arc / width to suit the 1:48 scale? |
Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 11-08-2009 12:40 AM
I found something that worked quite well for the lunar surface.I sprayed the plastic base with a spray adhesive, the covered it with black grouting powder (dark grey would be better, but the black is quite acceptable). After I was sure it had dried (about 30 mins), I tapped the base and rubbed it to remove the excess grout powder. It looked great, but if you touch the base some of the grouting powder would leave black marks on your hand. I solved this by giving the base a light coating of plain old hair spray. It didn't leave a gloss finish but stabilised the powder nicely.
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Obviousman
Member Posts: 438
From: NSW, Australia
Registered: May 2005
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posted 12-21-2009 08:21 AM
I have never used a spray gun before (or at least not for 35 years) so I decided to buy one. I was advised to practice on a model before working on my desired kit.I bought a Tamiya 1:48 F4D Skyray because it has a large surface area to spray paint. Looking at the kit though, I noticed the VAST improvement of molding quality over the Revell kits. This reminded me of how I always favoured Hasegawa or Tamiya kits as a youth, since their quality was immensely higher. So my question is: Do Hasegawa or Tamiya make any Apollo kits? If so, is their build quality of such that I would expect (i.e. far better than Revell)?
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minipci
Member Posts: 365
From: London, UK
Registered: Jul 2009
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posted 12-21-2009 08:35 AM
Yes, Tamiya does. I have no idea how good the molding is though. I have not seen it in real life. |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 12-21-2009 06:49 PM
I built the Tamiya kit in 1970, and it is the best knock-off of the Revell kit that came out!That isn't saying much - it is a Block 1 and Revell's were bigger. As one who worked in that industry - this Apollo came out before Tamiya got to be great. It is almost a toy! |
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