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  1. Apollo-Soyuz Test Project 1/72 Dragon Models The Mission The International Space Station has been continuously occupied since 2 November 2000, usually by joint American-Russian crews, with the occasional astronaut from Europe or Japan. For five years prior to that, shuttles docked with the Mir space station on a regular basis. It's hard to remember a time when the American and Russian/Soviet space programmes were competing, not co-operating. Yet that was the position for the first twenty years of the Space Age, and when a joint US-Soviet mission was flown in July 1975 it was seen as something extraordinary. What became known as the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project began in May 1972 with the signing of an agreement by President Nixon and Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin. The Americans initially suggested that an Apollo spacecraft visit a Salyut space station, but this was immediately rejected by the Soviets amd after some discussion a 'bare bones' mission was selected, in which an Apollo and Soyuz would link up. Even this was not as straightforward as it seems. Though both spacecraft used a 'probe and drogue' docking system, they were of completely different designs and one would not fit the other. Additionally, there was the subtle point that the craft equipped with the probe might be seen as the dominant partner, and this was supposed to be a mission of equals. A new docking mechanism was designed in which either spacecraft could take the active role, and the Apollo end was attached to a specially-built Docking Module. This component was necessary because of the different atmospheric compositions: Soyuz used normal air at sea-level pressure, while Apollo used pure oxygen at 5psi. It would not be possible for an astronaut to move directly between the two spacecraft, so the Docking Module would act as an airlock. The mission began on 15 July 1975 with the launch of Soyuz 19, shown live on TV for the first time. In command was Alexei Leonov, the first man to walk in space: he was accompanied by Valeri Kubasov. Seven and a half hours later the Apollo was launched by a Saturn IB. (Though some sources refer to it as 'Apollo 18', it actually had no official number.) Its commander was Tom Stafford, veteran of two Gemini flights as well as Apollo 10, the dress-rehearsal for the first lunar landing. His crew consisted of Vance Brand and Donald K. "Deke" Slayton, who was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts but never flew because he was medically grounded due to a heart murmur. Finally restored to flight status, he was at last getting the chance to fly in space. The much-anticipated docking took place two days after launch, and Stafford and Slayton moved into the Docking Module. Once atmospheric pressure had been equalised, the hatches were opened and the historic handshake took place. The two craft remained docked for 44 hours before separating, with each crewman visiting the other craft at least once. Soyuz landed safely on 21 July while Apollo remained in orbit for a further three days. The flight achieved relatively little of scientific value, but the political implications were huge. Even so, it was nearly twenty years before the two nations' manned space programmes would again meet up - but this time it would be permanent. The Model Having been impressed by the quality of Dragon's other recent spacecraft kits I was expecting good things from this one and I wasn't disappointed. Command Module plus the top and bottom of the Service Module and the engine bell (Top) Most of these parts are not used as they would be hidden when the model is complete. However the sprue does carry parts for the High Gain antenna and external handrails for the Command Module. (Bottom) Attitude thrusters for the Service Module The Service Module. The odd breakdown of parts is because Dragon issued a cutaway version. Photoetched dishes for the High Gain Antenna The Apollo sprues are the same as those in the 'Lunar Approach' kit. There are four of them, making an accurate replica of the real spacecraft. The important thing for us space geeks is that unlike virtually every previous Apollo kit, this one is of the Block II version: that is, the one which actually flew. The kits that came out at the time of the missions were based on the prototype, and the radiator panel detail of the Service Module was completely wrong. As a finishing touch, there are four photo-etched mesh discs representing the dishes of the High Gain Antenna. The only downside is that there is no interior to the Command Module, and no window openings are moulded. No doubt some aftermarket interior parts will eventually appear, but for now it's scratch-build or do without. Decal sheet - note the 5p coin for scale! Also the stickers for the Soyuz solar panels As for the decal sheet, you get everything, and I mean everything. All of the pre-launch maintenance stencils are included, even though at this scale some of them are the size of a pencil point. Once they're in place it's hard to even see them against the aluminium-coloured backing, but at least you'll know that they're there... The Soyuz, with the Docking Module in the centre. The long thin part is a cable trunk. (This sprue is in vinyl.) Remaining parts for the Soyuz, plus the docking mechanism. The Soyuz comes on two sprues, one of which has just four parts (three for the spacecraft itself and one for the Docking Module) and this has been produced in vinyl. The reason for this is unclear but the surface detail is excellent: all the folds and wrinkles of the thermal blankets which covered the craft have been reproduced beautifully. The box says that the Docking Module comes prepainted, but mine wasn't: I don't know if this was an oversight or if only the first production run has this feature. The other sprue is in conventional styrene and has the solar panels, the various antennae and all the parts for the docking mechanism. Unfortunately the instruction sheet could have been clearer here - while the construction of the Apollo is shown in the standard exploded diagram format, you only get a small photo of the Soyuz with arrows indicating vaguely where the solar panels and antenna should be attached. For the docking mechanism you will have to plan and check very carefully where everything fits, though the painting on the box lid will help. One nice touch is that Dragon have supplied a sheet of self-adhesive stickers to represent the solar cells. These are hologram-style, in metallic blue, and when they catch the light they look quite spectacular. Dragon's standard spacecraft stand - plastic base, metal support, with fixing screws Conclusion This kit is a must for anybody interested in space modelling. The only previous model of this subject from a mainstream company was Revell's 1/96 effort which, while acceptable, had numerous faults (not least with the Apollo being the prototype version.) Even built straight from the box, this will build up into an impressive replica of the mission that was the beginning of the end of the Space Race. Highly recommended.
    2 points
  2. Here`s my 1/48 Italeri B-25D that I`d previously built using the kit decals but that I wasn`t really happy with. Due to a nudge from a really nice guy on another site I took the plunge, stripped it down and redid it as Tondelayo from the 500th B.S, 345th B.G. Also took the opportunity to graft in the top nose glazing from the Monogram B-25J kit as to my eyes it looks better Redid the aerial layout to improve on my previous attempt closed the hatches and bomb bay doors and added spare Monogram guns to the rear window positions and finally a shot of my complete Air Apaches collection with one from each squadron, all other 3 Monogram/Revell B-25J`s Hope you enjoy
    1 point
  3. -To this day every models or dioramas I've shown you have been built in the past monthes or may be years, this is now my last built model, a Yak 38 U. -For this model, I have to thanks General Melchett for the ideas I borrowed from his own W I P post, I hope he will forgive me for that. .....! -I must say that I didn't used his thecnics for elongatind the fuselage; -In most of Forger U model I've seen few have elongated swivelling jet blast curved shield so it is what I tried to represent......My scale is 48 as usual..... -Only to show the lengthening of the rear fuselage. The blast shield itself has to be lengthened in the same way of the fuselage, just look at photos....
    1 point
  4. Airfix Mark 3 wings added to the 'new' Revell fuselage. Additional parts from the WEM exterior and interior sets - including the extensive bomb bay. RG527 - KN Q 77 Squadron 1945. Let me know what you think!! Thanks http://i1260.photobu...Sept2012018.jpg http://i1260.photobu...Sept2012016.jpg http://i1260.photobu...atthews/001.jpg http://i1260.photobu...ws/003-Copy.jpg
    1 point
  5. Pretty much anywhere between the back of the spinner (remember that some Hurris were fitted with an oil collector to stop it crapping up the windscreen" to the oil cooler. Its a long time since I did chemistry, but that oil is going to get heated up quite a bit in the desert and thus become a little more viscous, added to which the engines are also being pushed hard by virtue of the harsh environment. Yes, but I would wager not to the extent of making a single colour aircraft look two-tone. And if it did, that PR camera is going to be seriously buggered, either by all that oil apparently gushing from the front, or the dust sticking to everything. That photo demonstrates that even with light bouncing off the sand, its not making the undersides lighter than the upper surface colours, which are distinctly lighter for having direct contact with sunlight. OK, I knocked this up while waiting for the dinner so art critics corner should bear that in mind, based on my first impression of what I thought I was seeing. I'm not saying its right, and the colours are a total guess based on a theory that perhaps it was delivered in one shade for PR work and it was decided a darker shade on top was needed and this was locally sourced and painted (don't ask why, just an idea). Or maybe even the lower surfaces were painted a paler shade, who knows.
    1 point
  6. Hi Mark, My first tip would be to not bother with too much cockpit detailing - it will likely be invisible! Contrary to my own expectations, the seats are visible, but anything aft of them would be wasted. Proibably the same with the instrument panel under the coaming. I believe Skybolts are available from Freightdog - see here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=46801 If the above doesn't include decals, check out Airdecal, they do some lovely sheets for anti-flash and camouflaged Vulcans. I've used these with success Good luck and enjoy the build! Mike
    1 point
  7. Hello Finished another one, this is the Trumpeter Westland Wyvern in Operation Musketeer markings. It goes together really well, perhaps a little rivet heavy, but I quite liked the effect. I had my mind set on wings up as I figured it didn't compromise the lines of a not-particularly-attractive shape. But at the end, I really wish I had built it wings down, as I felt it lost some of its character once I had put the wings on. Hope you like it. Ian
    1 point
  8. £45 to buy it now!?!?! So glad I picked one up a couple of years ago for £8 at a show... If they both have the same plastic then they should both have the baggage pod...
    1 point
  9. Mummy, make those horrible things go away! They're so ugly! Nicely built, though.
    1 point
  10. Sometimes I can't understand modellers: if a certain subject is only available in resin/ vacform/short-run everybody whines because there's no mainstream injected plastic kit available and blah blah blah. When a company announces a brand new mainstream injected plastic kit the comment is now that it can't be better than a resin kit already available... Following this logic when the airfix spit IX was issued we should have all said "it can't be better than the CMR kit already available". Or anytime someone hopes for an airfix 1/72 lightning we should say "who cares, the heritage aviation kit is already available!". The truth is that as good as the Alleycat Vampire is (and I agree it's very very good), 99% of modellers don't like or are not able to work with resin, white metal and etch ! So 99% of modellers will prefer a plastic kit easily available from most hobby shops.
    1 point
  11. Great job stretching that rear end, it would look very odd (relatively speaking..) if this wasn't done.
    1 point
  12. Liking these.... are you going to weather it or leave it in factory fresh mode... either way, she looks darn fine...
    1 point
  13. Hope to do some Mudhen stuff today. The Hog looks good
    1 point
  14. Many thanks to Red5. Since one of the previous post showed this situation of the P83: and I promised that at the end it would be like the P115 bodywork, here the P83 bodywork after the last coat of ZP BRM racing green: ant then after decalling and clear coat: The green arrow shows the decal #17 which in the instructions Hiro lost: it has to be applied there. COCKPIT The following pics to show where I put the Scale Hardware 0.4 stainless rivets: It was the same for the two cars. Two pics of the time of the dashboard. The first at the 1966 Press, the second at 1966 US GP. They clearly show that there was a switch more on the left on the front of the dashboard, and two "circles" at both side on the rear of the dashboard...which Hiro forgotten. Here the front of the dashboard of the kit: and the rear; on the right the "new" dashboard with the two "circles" added (red arrows): As you can see, the dashboard was all black and not the front black and the rear aluminium as written in the instructions. Finally (here apologize for the quality of the pic) the spanner added to the steering, since in the kit it was not present: After his accident, Stewart wanted a spanner into the cockpit. Here the P83: The P115: and into the Matra cockpits of the following years, 1968 and 1969 rispectively: On the BRM the spanner was on the steering, while on the MS10 and MS80 was on the left side-panel. I'm not totally sure of the "tartan" tissue of the driver seat, since it had to be like the band that Stewart had on his helmet (and like the cap which the mecanich on the left was wearing). Here was the 1967 Spring Cup at Oulton Park: Here the Stewart's P83 at the paddock of the 1967 British GP, where the seat is clearly visible due to the fact that Jackie was not inside the cockpit: Here the decal of the kit for the driver seat: A nightmare! The decal is too hard and the seat rounded: A long and hard job with MicroSol: MicroSol again: ...and again: ...but I finally I was able to cover the driver seat: Remember that it was covered by a tissue: so, when the decal was dry a couple of coat with matt clear are needed.
    1 point
  15. Nice and dirty, the way I like it. Looking good !!
    1 point
  16. That's looking great, I particularly like the tissue paper for the seats. I must give that a go.
    1 point
  17. OK, first impressions and all that but that "mottle" just looks like weathering, especially as its being carried over onto the roundels and it looks a bit insubstantial and doesn't seem to serve any kind of camouflaging purpose.
    1 point
  18. What problems have you had Jon, like others have said you have got it to a very respectable looking state. Finish it man!
    1 point
  19. Don't give up on it Jon. I agree with John and Tom, It's very good and not too far off finished. Chris.
    1 point
  20. That's lovely - I too have recently built the Welsh MD-11. As far as vacs go - it's one of the best I've ever built! I've got the Welsh 747SP to do so may well build that for the Airliner GB. I love the KLM scheme by the way - it's stunning and it would be a crime not to finish it Tom
    1 point
  21. What? you can't 'discontinue building' that, it looks beautiful. Go on, get it finished its one to be proud of. John
    1 point
  22. THat looks pretty crisp and clean to my eyes. If I hadn't known it was a vacform, I'd never have been able to tell from the pics. Persevere and you will be proud of your achievement. Jens
    1 point
  23. That looks superb to me. Very colorful. Carl T
    1 point
  24. Looks brilliant mate! All of them do! Robin
    1 point
  25. Vacforms often have a blunt, thick look about them, a lack of sharpness, but this is very good...it doesn't look like a vacform Nicely done
    1 point
  26. is that an Airbus A300-600 in the backtound?
    1 point
  27. You are right, have a look for shar67 and his Emirates 773 build, looks good
    1 point
  28. As promised here are some pictures of the basic progress so far. For the Hydrogen tank I have used an old battery which when under the foil will give the correct relief. The ALSEPP needed some additions and I have used some balsa and metal foil to make this the correct proportions This is the choco egg astronaut I will be utilising, mini neil fits on the kit ladder perfectly (this is shown with the base from the choco egg) I wanted a quick modelling fix however so I have nearly finished a small tribute to apollo, which involved the spares from the 1/200 AMT man in space (which will be next on the list after this LM) This kit includes a few duplicates on sprues which you don't need so why not build a mini lunar approach. This is only about 3" long Best crack on with the 1/48 version now!
    1 point
  29. Great model. My only question is: would the aircraft have all that ordnance hung on it and have almost every panel open for servicing? W
    1 point
  30. I've started the painting process! However I'm unsure about the pre-shading... I don't know if it's nice like that or if the pre-shading is too visible yet... Help
    1 point
  31. As an aside, I have a good book I picked some years ago, The Thames and Hundson Manual of Rendering with Pen and Ink. by Robert W Gill ISBN 0-500-68026-4. It has some interesting notes on perspective and grids as well as it's main topic rendering (shading), which might be worth looking at for anyone wanting to further their studies in techniques.
    1 point
  32. I came across this on a tribute page and had to share it: And I wonder… will there someday be a holiday in his honor? In my mind’s eye I can see people lining the streets, watching parades, talking about that day, smiling and laughing… and all the while, through a quartz window in the dome, the crescent Earth will be hanging in the black sky above them. (by astronomer Phil Plait. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/08/25/neil-armstrong-1930-2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BadAstronomyBlog+%28Bad+Astronomy%29 )
    1 point
  33. Kits issued before 1982 are "obsolete"???? Says who??
    1 point
  34. I like it, a very nice bulid. The in flight pose really sets it off.... Leon
    1 point
  35. One of the guys over on LSP wondered how it compared with an SU 27 - so here's a quick shot - along with an F-100D Iain
    1 point
  36. Ello folks - me again - just like bad penny my Connie project pops it's head above the parapet at Telford - opening it's master slave up to much ridicule and banter! Update is I *have* made some progress on Photo-Etch design - when I have something suitable to show I'll post here. But Telford was useful in that I now have the offer of some resin engines for her. Oh - and as John 'Tigger' Wilkes has the patterns - we may be able to get a few more run off. Just want to check the wings as initial findings were they were short in span - so we may do some 'tweaks' to the patterns. Iain
    1 point
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