Jump to content

Revell Monogram LM 1/48 - Updated 9/1


Recommended Posts

Here I will be documenting my build of the Apollo 11 LM. I got this kit from Tornado this week (many thanks), and due to recent events it has gone straight to the top of my build list. I already had the revell LM but the monogram one is so much more accurate, with less scratchbuilding required to make it look like a moon lander.

I have always been fascinated by the apollo programme and the characters associated. I hope to make this as accurate as possible with scratch building, which given the wealth of information out there isn't too bad, although every LM was different.

The intention is to build it on a lunar scene, with Mr Armstrong descending the ladder for his small step. I will be using the Furuta astronaut which I got from ebay which justs o happens to be 1/48 or thereabouts.

Pictures to follow, but I have built up the hydrogen tank on one quadrant and the ALSEPP housing on the other.

Edited by omegaman
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

P1000960.jpg

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)

P1000963.jpg

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

P1000966.jpg

Best crack on with the 1/48 version now!

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Furuta choco egg figure is a brilliant idea, as is the watch battery for surface relief. The Monogram kit is a very nice starting point IMHO for an accurate LM. Even though Dragon's kit has more bells and whistles, personally I think the Monogram one still has more potential in 1/48.

BTW, if you are looking for an excellent building resource for the Monogram kit. Head over to Spaceinminiature.com and order a copy of book SIM#7 as it has some nice paint diagrams for all the LMs, including the Eagle. The prices are reasonable and shipping should be relatively inexpensive as well for a soft cover book (and I imagine demand may have jumped with the recent death of Armstrong).

http://spaceinminiature.com/books/sim7.html

Your 1/200 AMT kit is also very nicely done as well. Nice detail paint on that tiny little thing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Some more updates. I have started scratch-building some bits and pieces to make the model a more accurate version of LM-5 (Eagle) as utilised for Apollo 11.

I have cut out the MESA unit which I will pose open as Neil opened this when he was at the top of the ladder. This storage bay included the experiments to set up on the moon, but most importantly a camera was included to capture the historic first steps live in grainy black and white! I have scratch built this part as shown in the second picture. I have also started building the step area which is built up on the actual article, but flat in this kit.

P1010515.jpg

In this image you can see I have started foiling the descent stage using a combination of galaxy caramel (gold), galaxy (copper), black electrical tape and some silver adhesive foil. This of course meant having to eat some chocolate along the way! I also have Rolo wrappers (better on a 1/72 model) and some gold tea foil. I have painted the silver foil black on the top legs of the main landing legs.

Some good reference is found here in the scrathbuild article - http://spacemodels.nuxit.net/LEM-24/index.htm

P1010516.jpg

Thanks for looking, more to do!!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got some Rolo foil (older stuff as the current stuff isn't quite as good) stashed away myself for small LM projects. I've found that airbrushing it with Tamiya clear orange nets some good results for the very early Kapton shades, such as the kind used on Apollo 9.

Considering the candy foils and Choco Egg figure you've used, a caption for the completed model might be "better modelling through Chocolate" ;) The results are looking mighty impressive though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comments guys. I have done a little more on the descent stage with some black panels going on I still have quadrant 2 and 3 to do before moving onto the legs.

I like your choco model suggestion (more accurately I'm sure the better half likes it!) I can see the question of when will I do another of these lunar landers!

Hopefully will upload some pictures this week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks for the comments, I am aware of your work JM on aircraft resource center and it is impressive! I will hopefully get the descent stage almost complete this weekend, and then the ascent stage madness can begin!

Really enjoying the space stuff at the moment ordered up a 1/72 apollo 10 stack this week also which will come on here in due course.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

Now following this topic as I'll shamelessly plunder your experience for my next build.

It does look very good so far. chadder's linked image suggests a perfect finish is not required on this one!

Now wouldn't a Saturn V stack in 48th be something!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Now wouldn't a Saturn V stack in 48th be something!!

The Scottish Museum of Flight at East Fortune has a 1/24 stack though external detail is minimal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will crack on with this inbetween other things. The descent stage is pretty much ready for the legs to be put on - all foil is done.

Then for the ascent stage which may require a few tweaks. I was thinking of getting a dragon 1/48 CSm to go with my other revell germany LM - as I can easily fold the legs and maybe do an apollo 13 TLI dio.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Minor update on the progress over christmas.

 

The descent stage is almost complete, just need to do the main legs, feet pads and ladder. I also need to add the plume deflectors when I have built up the ascent stage for alignment. The camera MESA hatch is not yet secured on and I will need to add a small handle for releasing this when the ladder is on.

 

I am happy with it so far.

 

P1010654_zps22cba6d1.jpg

P1010655_zps5bbabbb3.jpg

P1010656_zpsa268b9f7.jpg

P1010657_zps60639149.jpg

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent work so far.  Are you going to put the landing radar and it's associated blast deflector on the descent stage>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Excellent work so far.  Are you going to put the landing radar and it's associated blast deflector on the descent stage>

Thanks mekon. Yes I will be scratching the radar I forgot earlier on but it needs representing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...