roma847 Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 (edited) Hello folks, this is the news of the month: In 2015 LVM Studios will release the Apollo Saturn Launch Umbilical Tower. Source: NASA At Scale Model World 2014 in Telford UK (11/08-09/2014) LVM presented a prototype of their BIG LUT Project, Source: LVM Studios which will be available in three different scales: 1/144 for the Revell Saturn V or Airfix Saturn V 1/96 for the Revell Saturn V 1/72 for the Dragon Saturn V This is definitely a spectacular and very challenging project, only question is what price will be called for these kits ... Edited November 25, 2015 by roma847 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted January 11, 2015 Author Share Posted January 11, 2015 Hi there, here are some news from the latest LVM Newsletter: "Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn project: As you may have seen on Telford or on the internet we made a prototype for this project to test the assembly, parts layout and several new techniques. In the mean time we have been busy with the main design, setting up a marketing plan, securing budget, etc. We decided to use Kickstarter as a marketing tool and as funding for the project. The Kickstarter campaign has a limited number of full kits available (1/144: 10 pieces, 1/96: 4 pieces and 1/72: 1 piece). There will be also an extra pledge with which you collect your kit in person at the Scale Model World 2015 in Telford UK on November 7th together with a diner with the team of LVM Studios. The Kickstarter campaign will start in a few weeks and we will notify you in time! We hope you share the campaign on social media! As told already we are on the Scale Model World 2015 in Telford UK and our stand will be dedicated to the Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn project. We will have a fully finished Mobile Launcher on display with a Saturn V in 1/72 scale (total height more than 160 cm). From November 2015 the kits will be available and due to the high cost of a full kit we decide to split up the model kits in several parts. This way the model kits will be available to a larger public and you can purchase parts for your mobile launcher as you go. Well that's it for now! As soon as we have more news about new products and/or the Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn project you will hear from us again. If you have questions about this newsletter please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]" Holy moly! 1:72 total height more than 160 cm, this sounds like modeling madness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Mc Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 (edited) These kits are mighty impressive - but they are also mighty expensive - which is what deters me. Having said that, I have to say, the notion of a 1/144 Saturn V next to its launch tower is very attractive. Edited January 14, 2015 by Eric Mc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Share Posted January 20, 2015 (edited) Hi Guys, now I've got an official response from LVM. The kits will be the Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn, this includes the MLP and the LUT. The Crawler and the Saturn V are not included. Source: LVM Now we know what's going on, for sure, except for the prices ... Edited January 31, 2015 by roma847 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted January 30, 2015 Author Share Posted January 30, 2015 Hi folks,  LVM hast started their Kickstarter campaign for the Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn model kits with a short nice trailer!       And now the prices are known:    1/144: Pledge 600 € or more - 10 Kits - 4 backers (6 left of 10) (MSRP 720 €)    1/96: Pledge 1.300 € or more: 4 Kits - 1 backer (3 left of 4) (MSRP 1.440 €)    1/72: Pledge 2.000 € or more: 1 Kit - 1 backer (All gone) (2.160 €)    Estimated delivery Nov 2015!    Good Luck!  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted January 31, 2015 Author Share Posted January 31, 2015 Hello Guys,   meanwhile all kits for the special prices are already gone and the funding goal of 10.000 € has already been exceeded with 13.310 €!!!  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted March 12, 2015 Author Share Posted March 12, 2015 Hello guys, Â Â and so the splitting of the nine LUT kits looks like on LVM's website Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn which is being constructed. Â Â Â Â Â Source: NASA/LVM Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Hi there,  LVM Studios have started with the CAD design of the first of the nine individual kits and presented the first renders of Kit 1: Mobile Launcher base.  ML Base   ML Mounting Mechanism  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted April 14, 2015 Author Share Posted April 14, 2015 Hi there,   and here is the next update by LVM Studios for the Mobile Launcher with the CAD design of Kit 2: Mobile Launcher details.      Source: LVM Studios  Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I've been thinking about this along with the paper/card kits you can buy and have decided that once I have my first Sat V ready, I am going to make a home made and simplified launch/umbilical tower for 2 main reasons: To help anchor and keep the rocket safe (my wife has cats and space face Chihuahuas) The rocket (IMHO) is the focal point - the tower can be kept simple if correct in proportion and the right colour - lack of ultimate detail (again IMHO) can be overlooked as I am focusing my levels of detail on the Sat V I asked my local Travis Perkins for some pricing on their planed pine shaped strip timber and also had a look on ebay at the plastic tubing and pipe bundles which are cheaper than Evergreen Plastics, and I believe I can create something in the region of £30 (but with the same amount of time spent on a paper model probably - but of my own unique build) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted April 17, 2015 Author Share Posted April 17, 2015 Then you save a lot of money definitely. Â What scale do you want to build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 1/144 then onto 1/96 - I have one of each Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted May 9, 2015 Author Share Posted May 9, 2015 Hello LUT friends  here is the new update of LVM Studios of the production of the first prototypes for the Mobile Launcher.  First prototype parts  For cost reasons, the substructure is now not made of Styrene but from MDF, which is a medium-density fibreboard, but which ensures sufficient stability. The outer cladding consists however of Styrene, this here is a picture of CNC milling of the upper deck,   and here of the finished plate having fine engraved lines.   The side walls have channels to which Evergreen profiles can be glued.   In addition, color tests were carried out, at which I suppose but strongly that the parts are supplied unpainted.   That's it for now. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted May 31, 2015 Author Share Posted May 31, 2015 Hi there,  here is the new update of LVM Studios, where they have been busy with the Parametric design of the LUT.  Source: LVM Studios  Meanwhile they also have been building the Saturn V from Dragon for the 1/72 display at Scale Model World 2015 in Telford, but there were problems with the S1-C stage, which have led to space problems with the Tail Service Masts (TSM) on the Mobile Launcher that had to be solved.  It is unclear whether there are similar problems with the smaller Saturn V models (1:96, 1:144) of Revell respectively Airfix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted July 7, 2015 Author Share Posted July 7, 2015 Hello everybody,  as I found out meantime by LVM, there are apparently no problems with the other Saturn V models by Revell respectively Airfix.  But there is a new Update (Nr. 13), with the first PE-prototypes for Kits 1 and 2,   and the first images of some parts made from it.      Thus, the LUT project now assumes slowly concrete shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 Hello LUT friends,  here is Update No. 14 with some new details before the LVM team goes on a short vacation.  The first photo etch parts have been validated and changes have been made in assembly of the parts and their design.  Support fire pit hold down posts   Vertical cable tray LUT   SI-C intertank service arm   The materials used are color-coded: Grey is photo etch, green is resin, brown is evergreen plastic strips and red is brass rod.  What do you mean turquoise, I have requested. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Hello everybody, Â after LVM team returned from vacation here is Update Nr. 15. Â It is informed that they encountered a few setbacks. Â This relates to the 3D design and problems with the CNC milling machine, which were eliminated now, as well as necessary changes to parts of the design for cost reasons. Thus, the Mobile Launcher was redesigned, so thinner panels can be used. Â ML base 1/144 & 1/72 Â Source: LVM Â Due to the occurring time residues LVM is afraid that the planned delivery of kits in November will be delayed. How much extra time they need is not known yet but they try to keep it as short a possible and will hope for understanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted September 22, 2015 Author Share Posted September 22, 2015 Hello everybody, Â which has almost already hinted, now is certainty. Â LVM Studios have informed all bakkers in Update Nr. 16 that the intended release date of November 2015 can not be met due to fabrication problems and design issues. Â Consequently, the fully build prototype which would be on display at Scale Model World at Telford will not be shown as too many design issues are not solved yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 Hello everybody,  and so it has also happend, due to the problems encountered LVM could not keep their promise, which is of course very disappointing.  Therefore, the announced LUT model (1:72) could not be presented at the Scale ModelWorld 2015 last November in Telford.  But therefor the great diorama of the R7 Soyuz Baikonur Launch Pad by Bruno Gire won the "Best in Show" award, based on the LVM kit.  Source: LVM Studios  In the meantime, LVM now received at least the new controller unit for the CNC milling machine. And after a week of testing and tweaking they got it working, what is reported in Update No. 19.  To the previously critical commentary made by me to the disappointing status quo they have indeed responded, but without having made concrete statements for further project procedure or even the delivery date.  Maybe they will reach it at this year's Scale ModelWorld 2016 in November ... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted February 4, 2016 Author Share Posted February 4, 2016 Hello everybody,  with the LVM-LUT it actually goes further.  Here is Update 20.  As one can see, they continued with the interior of the LUT, adding controll cabinets, storage racks, etc. for each level of the LUT, which is done in a parametric way.  Source: LVM Studios  Coming soon one will start with the construction of the Hammerhead Crane. By the way is running the inventory of needed Evergreen profiles which must be ordered via distributors, the delivery can take months.  The CNC machine which is used for milling the parts of the mobile launcher is still in prototype stage.  Then let's wait again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 Hello everybody, Â here is the sparse new Update Nr. 21. Â The design for the interior of the LUT (control boxes, cabinets, valve complexes) takes longer than expected. A lot of dimensions of these items are not not known and based on several drawings (demolition engineering drawings) LVM try to figure it all out. A start is made with the Hammerhead Crane design. Â BTW, speaking of drawings, in consideration of the vast quantities of NASA drawings and photos on which Mischa Klement (microartwork.com) has based his crawler and as well his ingenious LUT development, I have no good feeling with the whole thing, because LVM seems have underestimated the complexity of the LUT project and is repeatedly confronted with new problems. Â They also have been busy with sourcing material for flexible hoses between the LUT and the service arms so the service arms can move. One has found some interesting materials and are waiting for arrival of these materials in order to test the usability. Â LVM's new CNC milling machine control box has been delayed due to unavailability of certain parts. In the next few weeks they expect to receive the missing parts and can get started on building the control cabinet and getting the milling machine running again. Â So all in all a more than sobering Status quo ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted May 12, 2016 Author Share Posted May 12, 2016 Hello everybody,  here is the new Update Nr. 22.  LVM still fiddles about with the completion of the interior on the 3D model, about parts manufacture is obviously for the moment not to think.  When they assembled the cable trays under each level they noticed that the lighting fixture are in the way and intersect each other.  Source: LVM Studios  LVM get a lot of questions about when the product will be ready, but at this moment they have not set a release date yet. They are aiming at certain milestones but are also aware that issues may come up. At this moment they are still in design stage and expect to build some prototypes (parts of the project) within a few months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 Hello everybody,  here is the new Update Nr. 23.  This time it is all about the design of the equipment details on the outside of the LUT, such as water pipes on Side 2, hydraulic lines on Side 4 and the LH2 and LOX pipes on Side 3.  Here some impressions of the progress:  Source: LVM Studios  Source: LVM Studios  In the CAD 3D model this looks quite promising , but it's by no means yet implemented into concrete components, let alone built.  The new controller for the CNC milling machine has been built and one starts testing the machine in the next few weeks.  In july LVM expect to build the first prototype of the MLP, levels 0-80 and 100-140, which is important for testing if all elements of the construction work well with eachother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted August 19, 2016 Author Share Posted August 19, 2016 Hello everybody,  here is after vacation-related delay, the new Update Nr. 24.  Source: LVM Studios  After LVM has apparently found new reference sources, the design was improved and updated once more, after which now first production drawings for the PE parts are made.  The design of the LUT interior was allegedly rather complicated due to the variety of electrical equipment, consoles, distributors, heat exchangers, valve complexes (LOX and LH2), cable trays and piping and is not yet completed. Because the interior is quite crammed, it was decided to omit the many storage racks because one supposedly has no data on these racks.  Other parts of the design like the Hammerhead crane and Service arms are still a work in progress. The CNC milling machine is running and they try to optimize different parameters to have quality parts produced in the fastest time.  To the completion date one cannot make any promise, because the design phase is not finished yet. To my question to the prospects for this year's Scale ModelWorld in Telford (12./13.11.2016), was communicated that one will bring along some protoypes of the 1/144 scale version LUT, anyway better than nothing.  So only remains to wait and see! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roma847 Posted November 3, 2016 Author Share Posted November 3, 2016 Hello LUT guys, Â after I have reminded Leon van Munster, after a longer break LVM has still presented 14 days before the ScaleModel World in Telford (12/13 Nov.) Update Nr. 25. Â It shows the first prototypes of PE plates of the LUT levels (0 to 140), Â Â Â as well as the elevator shaft for testing the tower structure. Â Â As it is said, a first exclusive look at the prototype is planned still before the Telford fair. Â So let's wait and see what's going on there. Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now