Topic: Karst-onian Kollection: "A Place for Space"
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 09-14-2023 11:04 AM
I have the pleasure of showing you folks the latest Steve Nichols addition to the Karst-onian. Apollo 17 diorama of Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt during EVA-2 at Shorty crater finding orange soil. Every time I see this, I can hear Schmitt say the words "there's orange soil!"
Jurg Bolli Member
Posts: 1276 From: Albuquerque, NM Registered: Nov 2000
posted 09-14-2023 02:46 PM
That is a very nice display!
history in miniature Member
Posts: 648 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
posted 09-14-2023 04:05 PM
Fred thank you one again for allowing me to contribute to your kollection, I’am always amazed on how you’ve built it up over the years and it’s been a pleasure to watch.
Joel Katzowitz Member
Posts: 908 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 09-14-2023 04:19 PM
That diorama looks spectacular and the detail is amazing. Nice job Steve and Fred!
posted 09-15-2023 07:39 PM
Wonderful representation of one of my favorite Apollo "moments".
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1541 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 09-28-2023 02:23 PM
Very, very cool!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 03-09-2024 03:34 PM
Here is a project I have been working on for years (5+ at least). I had the lunar module pilot side (Apollo 11 Buzz Aldrin) panel that had the contact light, printed on Lexan. Michael Key made the knobs a few years ago.
Just recently, a fellow made the replica metal toggle switches and sold them on eBay. I finally found a timing circuit board on Amazon that I could figure out how to use and put together a 3D display. I flip a switch and the last 30 seconds of the descent comes on then the contact light goes on when lunar contact is made and turns off at the end of Charlie Duke's announcement.
I picked the LM pilot rather than the commander's side because, after all, Buzz was the first one to say words on the moon... Contact light.
Rocket Chris Member
Posts: 468 From: Guttentag Registered: Nov 2009
posted 03-10-2024 11:48 AM
THAT IS SICK! Do you have some kine of instruction manual? Would love to have something like this as well!!!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 03-10-2024 01:59 PM
Not sure at this point where all the parts came from. Bits and pieces over the years (like the recorder).
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 03-10-2024 02:12 PM
Found the eBay seller (185851827971) of the toggle switch. He sells all types.
The recorder was a goggle search and has an intermittent switch to start it so you can use the toggle intermittent switch to start it. Same switch to start the timer.
The panel producer is long gone (pre-covid) and the light is an industrial 110 volt blue switch with the capsule removed and a blue LED light inside. I used the bottom of a very small plastic cup cut short as a diffuser inside the capsule.
I wish I would have made a schematic of the wiring as I built it but I did not.
I hope that gets you started.
Rocket Chris Member
Posts: 468 From: Guttentag Registered: Nov 2009
posted 03-19-2024 11:18 AM
Thank you!!! I just think that Concord Aerospace would be able to build something like this completely... with panel and contact light.
All in all really something unique and cool.
These was also a Kickstarter project offering a entire 1:1 CM instrumentation panel... but this never was realized.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 05-04-2024 03:38 PM
We picked up s new contractor model at the RR Auction. It is a cutaway model of a Scout payload. Curious if anyone has any data on this type of payload? Thanks!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 05-24-2024 10:51 AM
My 1/120 scale Vulcan arrived the other day. I elected to add it to the wall of Deltas as it is the next replacement vehicle (and honestly wall space is beginning to get hard to find).
I included a patch and a commemorative coin with a piece of the metal from the booster (assuming machining chips).
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 11-03-2024 09:11 AM
It is always good to repurpose an item and this time orange Halloween lights make for a more colorful booster landing display. 😂
Note: the one nose cone is out for a refurbishment.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 11-03-2024 06:10 PM
Even better at night. 😁
Joel Katzowitz Member
Posts: 908 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 11-04-2024 06:15 AM
Wow!!! I hope you had a fire extinguisher close by!
David Carey Member
Posts: 1088 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 11-04-2024 10:15 AM
Looks great, Fred!
Perhaps the next add could be an homage to the triple play with a Falcon Heavy center core landing on a scale drone ship in the pond.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 11-04-2024 11:04 AM
Great, now you have me thinking, hmmmm...
JBoe Member
Posts: 996 From: Edgewater, MD Registered: Oct 2012
posted 11-12-2024 07:15 PM
Great idea for Christmas decor!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 07-23-2025 04:44 PM
I came in from work and waiting for me was my 15 year old granddaughter, anxious to show me something. Unbeknownst to me she had collected up my LEGO LRV kit sometime this summer and had been quietly putting together. Today was the reveal!!!
I had bought the case for it when I first picked up the LEGO kit and found a place for it inside the Kollection. Today it has a wonderful occupant.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 10-21-2025 02:58 PM
Below you will see photos of a Rocket Lab Electron 1/45 scale model, as offered at the new Rocket Lab shop website. Price point is reasonable, and the model is done well.
We received ours earlier this week and although not the exact scale as the models you see in the photos with it, the scales are close (note that the Electron is about 0.95 inches taller than in 1/45 scale rather than the 1/48 scale models it is pictured with). Not sure why 1/45 scale was picked but that is what it is and it makes for a nice display.
I see the patch collection will be added to the site soon so we can continue the series. Their patches are done well and look good in my opinion.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 10-28-2025 03:25 PM
I could only pick up one thing at RR Auction this time and I scored a win. This is a really nicely done 1/48 scale Shuttle with the X-37B as a proposed payload. It's great to add this to the Kollection.
SpaceCadet1983 Member
Posts: 573 From: Pacific NW, United States Registered: May 2012
posted 10-28-2025 04:55 PM
Great addition to your already AWESOME collection!
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 01-23-2026 08:15 AM
I was gifted a 1/100 scale 747 in TWA livery. I sent it and a 1/00 scale orbiter (Discovery livery) to Michael Key. He did his magic and came up with the Enterprise drop test, obviously without the boat tail fairing. Super cool addition to the Kollection.
It is displayed with another 1/100 model of an early SCA with Discovery with boat tail.
Joel Katzowitz Member
Posts: 908 From: Marietta GA USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 01-23-2026 03:11 PM
Great additions to the Kollection Fred. I need to come down for a visit and tour, it's been too long.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 55832 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-23-2026 03:45 PM
I think what really sells the new model is that nose down pitch attitude of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft. An equally-skilled but less-informed model maker might only mount Enterprise pitching up while keeping the 747 level. It really shows Michael's understanding of the subject and makes the whole display feel that much more realistic.
Congrats to Michael for another fine work and to Fred for the fantastic addition to his already impressive collection!
Dave Ginsberg Member
Posts: 231 From: Redmond, Washington, USA Registered: Dec 2007
posted 01-23-2026 03:53 PM
Nice! Your whole winged vehicle lineup is very impressive.
When I was in high school, I had the Revell SCA/Enterprise kit hanging from my ceiling in a similar just-released configuration. The only difference was that I had the 747 just beginning its banking dive maneuver.
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 01-23-2026 05:11 PM
Joel, a gathering at the Karst-onian would be great or a road trip to KSC. Ken H. keeps asking about the Southeast Space Geek group every time I see him there.
Robert, the nose down was all Micheal's idea as well as the entire separation depiction. He designed and then had the adapter 3D printed in metal to make the dive happen. The photos show well, but it is amazing in person. Small magnets hold the added vertical stabilizers to the outbd end of the Hstab.
Also, the aircraft line up are all the aircraft I have worked on except for the SCAs.
Headshot Member
Posts: 1442 From: Vancouver, WA, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 01-23-2026 05:52 PM
From a collector's point of view, what are three items of which you are most proud? Also, which three were the most difficult to restore?
GACspaceguy Member
Posts: 3265 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
posted 01-23-2026 06:45 PM
The most proud question is like asking which child you like best.
Proud; the 1/6 scale LM, built at the Grumman model works and then the 1/6th scale CSM Carlos Santos did for us to match it. Then the 1/10 scale SIVB cutaway model we had to add new double doors in the back of the house to get it in the house.
But note the three I am very proud of and pleased/amazed by, are people. Those who we have commissioned models with. The three are Stephen Nichols, Michael Key and Carlos Santos. Steve is the world's best space kit builder so accurate and perfect, Micheal has the best display ideas that he can execute to amaze you. Carlos can build anything from nothing, he has the most amazing abilities to build a model from plans, no parts, no bill of materials, just his abilities.
Difficult to restore. We had bought a 1/48 scale MSFC Skylab and it was shipped so poorly it was nothing but small pieces when it arrived. The lower bulkhead dome was shattered. My wife meticulously glued it all back together and painted it, such that it was perfect.
Then the 1/20 scale SIC Saturn V first stage cutaway. Every time I touched that model something fell off, broke, or rolled away. I do not ever touch that model.
I have a Bigalow inflatable space station that had to have Micheal Key make the solar panels made for. But getting them to attached to the station was trying and is another area I never touch.
posted 09-14-2023 11:04 AM
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