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Apollo Saturn LUT by LVM Studios 2015


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Hello folks,

this is the news of the month: In 2015 LVM Studios will release the Apollo Saturn Launch Umbilical Tower. 019.gif


Lb0BJb.jpg

Source: NASA


At Scale Model World 2014 in Telford UK (11/08-09/2014) LVM presented a prototype of their BIG LUT Project,


379f8cc6a0698f651b4c67d25b60128d_origina

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 ... shocked.gif

Edited by roma847
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  • 1 month later...
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. omgsign.gif

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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 by Eric Mc
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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. icon_thumb.gif


Apollo13andLUT-638x600.jpg

Source: LVM

Now we know what's going on, for sure, except for the prices ... n060.gif

Edited by roma847
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  • 2 weeks later...
Hi folks,

 

LVM hast started their Kickstarter campaign for the Mobile Launcher Apollo Saturn model kits with a short nice trailer!  up040577.gif

 

 

4mJUGU.jpg

 

 

 

 

And now the prices are known: w00t.gif

 

 

 

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!  up045518.gif

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

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)

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  • 3 weeks later...
Hello LUT friends

 

here is the new update of LVM Studios of the production of the first prototypes for the Mobile Launcher. cool.gif

 

 

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,

 

2c8a381094838d36f1ee813ac615eb0e_origina

 

and here of the finished plate having fine engraved lines.

 

f7c30e2ced14aa0d6086b417ccb11896_origina

 

The side walls have channels to which Evergreen profiles can be glued.

 

fe89ee607c4bf86e86406fecd512ff44_origina

 

In addition, color tests were carried out, at which I suppose but strongly that the parts are supplied unpainted. undecided.gif

 

ab91834327bf12d18a09a1eb924bdcba_origina

 

That's it for now. cool.gif
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  • 4 weeks later...
Hi there,

 

here is the new update of LVM Studios, where they have been busy with the Parametric design of the LUT.

 

hfaGNs.jpg

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. rolleyes.gif

 

It is unclear whether there are similar problems with the smaller Saturn V models (1:96, 1:144) of Revell respectively Airfix. undecided.gif
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  • 1 month later...
Hello everybody,

 

as I found out meantime by LVM, there are apparently no problems with the other Saturn V models by Revell respectively Airfix.  up045518.gif

 

But there is a new Update (Nr. 13), with the first PE-prototypes for Kits 1 and 2,

 

EcfJ5d.jpg

 

and the first images of some parts made from it.

 

fnf4WW.jpg

 

pjSlEs.jpg

 

Bild

 

Dhsq5v.jpg

 

Thus, the LUT project now assumes slowly concrete shape. up040577.gif
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  • 3 weeks later...
Hello LUT friends,

 

here is Update No. 14 with some new details before the LVM team goes on a short vacation. cool.gif

 

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

 

KANBfK.jpg

 

Vertical cable tray LUT

 

GYOuUe.jpg

 

SI-C intertank service arm

 

FTgIy7.jpg

 

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. rolleyes.gif

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  • 4 weeks later...
Hello everybody,

 

after LVM team returned from vacation here is Update Nr. 15.

 

It is informed that they encountered a few setbacks. shocked.gif

 

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.

 

ML base 1/144 & 1/72

 

ejSWj5.jpg

Source: LVM

 

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. cool.gif
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  • 5 weeks later...
Hello everybody,

 

which has almost already hinted, now is certainty.

 

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.

 

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. rolleyes.gif
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  • 3 months later...
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. angry.gif

 

Therefore, the announced LUT model (1:72) could not be presented at the Scale ModelWorld 2015 last November in Telford. rolleyes.gif

 

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. a040.gif

 

P1020391-e1446978132950.jpg

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. rolleyes.gif

 

Maybe they will reach it at this year's Scale ModelWorld 2016 in November ...  Bild
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  • 4 weeks later...
Hello everybody,

 

with the LVM-LUT it actually goes further. cool.gif

 

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.

 

wiyX7a.jpg

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. flehan.gif

 

The CNC machine which is used for milling the parts of the mobile launcher is still in prototype stage. rolleyes.gif

 

Then let's wait again. up040577.gif
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Hello everybody,

 

here is the sparse new Update Nr. 21. rolleyes.gif

 

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.

 

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. omgsign.gif

 

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.

 

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.

 

So all in all a more than sobering Status quo ... gr_hail.gif
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  • 1 month later...
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. shocked.gif

 

When they assembled the cable trays under each level they noticed that the lighting fixture are in the way and intersect each other. rolleyes.gif

 

5ewO8n.jpg

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. up047089.gif
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  • 5 weeks later...
Hello everybody,

 

here is the new Update Nr. 23. cool.gif

 

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:

 

8d09511971e6a881e42ec030ecdeccc8_origina

Source: LVM Studios

 

d51f8a785ba8605a6d452184bc753904_origina

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. rolleyes.gif

 

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. up040577.gif
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  • 2 months later...

Hello everybody,

 

here is after vacation-related delay, the new Update Nr. 24.

 

W0z1QZ.jpg
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. rolleyes.gif

 

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. :hmmm:

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. top1.gif

 

So only remains to wait and see! up040577.gif

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  • 2 months later...

Hello LUT guys,

 

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. cool.gif

 

It shows the first prototypes of PE plates of the LUT levels (0 to 140),

 

6c20fb3ac60d7c65dec0a3c7a263bd0f_origina

 

c054f4979002b719c3dbc59e001e863e_origina

 

as well as the elevator shaft for testing the tower structure.up046122.gif

 

5b26d846065cd0497289d00682d42f4f_origina

 

As it is said, a first exclusive look at the prototype is planned still before the Telford fair.

 

So let's wait and see what's going on there.   up040577.gif

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