81-er Posted October 27, 2023 Share Posted October 27, 2023 The decals are certainly helping to bring it all to life, and the panels definitely look better with your printed grid on them. I think prismatic foil is the right term for it James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 9 hours ago, 81-er said: The decals are certainly helping to bring it all to life, and the panels definitely look better with your printed grid on them. I think prismatic foil is the right term for it James Thanks a lot James! A day or so later I'm more comfortable with the panels. I think I'll leave the as they are now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted October 27, 2023 Author Share Posted October 27, 2023 I’ve made a start on all the Apollo decals. There are many small scripts to place. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted October 30, 2023 Author Share Posted October 30, 2023 All Apollo decals are finished. Most of the small scripts are just applied according to Dragons instructions. Then all remaining parts except the antenna were fitted. It looks very odd with that long peg but it should get better when it disappears into the Docking Module. The final assembly of the Soyuz docking mechanism is also underway. This is the weakest part of the whole kit. The main vinyl parts lacks so much in precision, as I’ve already complained about, and the fit of the docking rings and especially the struts becomes a joke. I’m doing some trimming and adapting and hope to bring it together reasonably with some Kristal Kleer filling and touch up painting... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted October 31, 2023 Share Posted October 31, 2023 The Soyuz might be the weak point in terms of assembly, but everything is looking good in the photos James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted October 31, 2023 Author Share Posted October 31, 2023 23 minutes ago, 81-er said: The Soyuz might be the weak point in terms of assembly, but everything is looking good in the photos James Thanks a lot James! I'm quite happy with the overall look of the Soyuz as it comes together, even if it's not very accurate in the orientation of various details. The engineering of the kit parts is more like a primitive resin kit though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianfuxia Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 It does look great but I can see what you mean. Almost wonder if Dragon shouldn't have just left it to the modeller to use foil or sth to get the appearance on the adaptor, noting that most people this far into space modeling could probably manage it. Either that or do it properly in resin. But you've done a great job so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 18 hours ago, bianfuxia said: It does look great but I can see what you mean. Almost wonder if Dragon shouldn't have just left it to the modeller to use foil or sth to get the appearance on the adaptor, noting that most people this far into space modeling could probably manage it. Either that or do it properly in resin. But you've done a great job so far! Thank you very much! Resin would have been very nice, then all issues could have been adjusted easily, and it would have stayed that way. Or multi part styrene moulding; after all Dragon had done a pretty good work with the wrinkled foil on their Lunar Modules. But I suppose that would have meant too expensive tools and no Soyuz at all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 After a few hours of “real” work in the morning I got stuck lacking correct sub contractor drawings, again, so I retreated to my modelling room and fitted most of the external parts to the Soyuz craft. The fit is so so, and I now discovered that the solar panel mounting points are also a bit askew when viewed from behind, but still it looks very much like a Soyuz. Perhaps me not knowing very much about the Soyuz helps... The Docking Module was fitted to the Apollo CSM. That’s the order it was done for real, the Docking Module was carried on the Saturn IB together with the Apollo CSM, and the released CSM turned around to retrieve the Docking Module, just like they did to retrieve the Lunar Modules. Then after some time the two crafts would find each other in space, and also on my workbench. After some trial fitting and checking that the assembly would be straight I mixed some epoxy and made the joint final. As I suspected a trial fit on the kit support stand was a joke. The Soyuz is far too heavy and tips the whole assembly over. Filling the hollow bottom of the base with 120 grams of small nails and epoxy glue made a descent solution. Filling with small lead balls would have been better, but I had none in stock. With the completed docked craft up on the support stand I fitted the antennas, and that would be the finish. Time will tell if the whole unit will remain straight over time or if the weight of the Soyuz will take its toll on the joint between the Apollo and the Docking Module.... There will be some gallery photos, perhaps tomorrow. Then I must consider if the remaining month of this GB is too short... 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianfuxia Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 You have another whole month, oh Mighty One! 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 That looks very good, Jorgen, well done there! I also feel your pain of sub-contractors getting drawings wrong, which doubles when they've had your drawings to copy from and still stuffed it up James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, 81-er said: That looks very good, Jorgen, well done there! I also feel your pain of sub-contractors getting drawings wrong, which doubles when they've had your drawings to copy from and still stuffed it up James Thanks a lot James! Ain't that exactly so! Sometimes it's amazing things do get built and finished at all... Oh well, this will get sorted out well, just a bit of time wasted. Things has been a lot worse sometimes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 My personal favourite is when they build something either without the drawings, or without looking at them. Then it's somehow our fault and we need to tell them how to fix it... James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 3 hours ago, 81-er said: My personal favourite is when they build something either without the drawings, or without looking at them. Then it's somehow our fault and we need to tell them how to fix it... James Yes, that's an interesting situation... 🙄 Or when the thing fails after some time and it turns out they didn't bother to install the internal steel bracings... "oh, err, well, we thought they were unnecessary"... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Yes, that's always a good one. One of my most recent ones was getting drawings back from the masonry support specialist with one area clouded with the comment "please advise on method of support in this area". Firstly, they're the specialist, so there's an assumption they should be advising us. Secondly, we'd actually sent them drawings with our idea on it, they just didn't bother to look at them 🤦♂️ James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 4 minutes ago, 81-er said: Yes, that's always a good one. One of my most recent ones was getting drawings back from the masonry support specialist with one area clouded with the comment "please advise on method of support in this area". Firstly, they're the specialist, so there's an assumption they should be advising us. Secondly, we'd actually sent them drawings with our idea on it, they just didn't bother to look at them 🤦♂️ James Sometimes you just have to wonder... My impression is that these things have increased over the years. Things are getting rushed over to cut some cost and save some time, which rarely works that well in the end. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 I have now put up a few photos in the gallery over here. I hope you will enjoy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
81-er Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 And very fine those photos are, Jorgen. Not only is the model excellent, but the photos are beautifully done too James 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 2 hours ago, 81-er said: And very fine those photos are, Jorgen. Not only is the model excellent, but the photos are beautifully done too James Thanks a lot James! I have been playing with a new photo cube lately, trying to understand what happens with the lights and different backgrounds. I'm not very good at using a camera, and the camera is probably at the same low level as me... So if you like the photos I couldn't be happier. 😎 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bianfuxia Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 Such a great build - well done! What's next? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 4, 2023 Author Share Posted November 4, 2023 On 02/11/2023 at 22:33, bianfuxia said: Such a great build - well done! What's next? Thanks a lot! Next I must finish the Cosmo Sport, today or tomorrow, then I have to think... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike N Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 A brilliant result! The kit might not have been the best in some places but it you'd not know that by your finished model. Well done Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 9 minutes ago, Mike N said: A brilliant result! The kit might not have been the best in some places but it you'd not know that by your finished model. Well done Mike Thanks a lot Mike! When it's all finished much of the shortcomings sort of disappears. on the vitrine shelf it captures the essence of the project. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby No Mac Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 Just been catching up with this, wow. Congratulations Jorgen on a terrific model, excellent finish. I'll remember to look this thread up when it comes to putting together the service module on my J-mission kit 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted November 18, 2023 Author Share Posted November 18, 2023 37 minutes ago, Bobby No Mac said: Just been catching up with this, wow. Congratulations Jorgen on a terrific model, excellent finish. I'll remember to look this thread up when it comes to putting together the service module on my J-mission kit Thanks a lot! Maybe trim the two rings just a little. I remember the one I built before this one as being easier to get the panels to fit with no gaps, but a little shaving around the rings wont hurt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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