The build
Preparations for this project had been ongoing on & off since 2018 when the seller of the patches announced his plans and started taking orders. As the Falcon 9 project neared completion they were kicked off again in earnest so that all of the "hardware" would be ready to go as soon as the F9 got completed.
Preparations for this project had been ongoing on & off since 2018 when the seller of the patches announced his plans and started taking orders. As the Falcon 9 project neared completion they were kicked off again in earnest so that all of the "hardware" would be ready to go as soon as the F9 got completed.
The base kit for the Antares
The base kit for the Antares
The kit as supplied
The kit as supplied
The new ware kit was first produced in 2015 and was modelled on the vehicle as it was in 2014. The NG-10 flight was in the November of 2018.
The new ware kit was first produced in 2015 and was modelled on the vehicle as it was in 2014. The NG-10 flight was in the November of 2018.
Between these dates there were some changes to the launch vehicle and spacecraft
Between these dates there were some changes to the launch vehicle and spacecraft
1. First stage
1. First stage
In 2015 the first stage (100 series) was retired due to the unreliability and age of the AJ26 engines, the final nail in the coffin was the loss of the Orb 3 flight in 2014. These engines were 15 year old Russian NK33 engines (that had been purchased by Aerojet, refurbished, and renamed AJ26)
In 2015 the first stage (100 series) was retired due to the unreliability and age of the AJ26 engines, the final nail in the coffin was the loss of the Orb 3 flight in 2014. These engines were 15 year old Russian NK33 engines (that had been purchased by Aerojet, refurbished, and renamed AJ26)
The first stage was replaced with the 200 series, which in essence was a beefed up version of the 100 series, powered by a more modern Russian Engine, the RD181.
The first stage was replaced with the 200 series, which in essence was a beefed up version of the 100 series, powered by a more modern Russian Engine, the RD181.
2. Cygnus Cargo spacecraft & Second stage Castor Engine
2. Cygnus Cargo spacecraft & Second stage Castor Engine
The original standard Cygnus version was last flown on the ill-fated Orb 3 flight in November 2014 and replaced with the Cygnus Enhanced version. Over the intervening years the second stage Castor solid fuel engine was upgraded
The original standard Cygnus version was last flown on the ill-fated Orb 3 flight in November 2014 and replaced with the Cygnus Enhanced version. Over the intervening years the second stage Castor solid fuel engine was upgraded
3. Northrop Grumman acquiring Orbital ATK
3. Northrop Grumman acquiring Orbital ATK
In June of 2018 Northrop bought out Orbital in a 9 billion dollar deal. The NG10 flight in November of that year marked the first flight of the vehicle by its new owner/operator
In June of 2018 Northrop bought out Orbital in a 9 billion dollar deal. The NG10 flight in November of that year marked the first flight of the vehicle by its new owner/operator
To accurately reflect these changes the model will be modified as below
To accurately reflect these changes the model will be modified as below
1. First stage
1. First stage
The AJ-26 engine bells were heavily insulated with a pink coloured insulation. The current RD181 does not have this present. The only correction needed will be to remove some material from the engine bells that represents the insulation.
The AJ-26 engine bells were heavily insulated with a pink coloured insulation. The current RD181 does not have this present. The only correction needed will be to remove some material from the engine bells that represents the insulation.
2. Cygnus Cargo spacecraft & Second stage Castor Engine
2. Cygnus Cargo spacecraft & Second stage Castor Engine
The enhanced Cygnus is 2.5m longer than the standard version. The Second stage Castor solid rocket engine was also upgraded. Although the later engine is physically larger, and the Cygnus was lengthened by 2.5m both of these upgrades were accommodated by lengthening the payload fairing by 2.3m
The enhanced Cygnus is 2.5m longer than the standard version. The Second stage Castor solid rocket engine was also upgraded. Although the later engine is physically larger, and the Cygnus was lengthened by 2.5m both of these upgrades were accommodated by lengthening the payload fairing by 2.3m
At 1-144th scale a 16mm long extension will need to be inserted in the payload fairing. Fortunately, whilst I was looking into these changes I was in close contact with Martin, the owner of Martins models. He very kindly cast me a resin part of the correct dimensions
At 1-144th scale a 16mm long extension will need to be inserted in the payload fairing. Fortunately, whilst I was looking into these changes I was in close contact with Martin, the owner of Martins models. He very kindly cast me a resin part of the correct dimensions
3. Northrop Grumman acquiring Orbital ATK
3. Northrop Grumman acquiring Orbital ATK
This change meant a relatively minor change in the vehicles livery, the Orbital logo being replaced by Northrop Grumman’s corporate logo. Again, I was fortunate with the timing of this as I was having a sheet of assorted decals printed for a model, I was working on at the time so a batch of various sized logos were added.
This change meant a relatively minor change in the vehicles livery, the Orbital logo being replaced by Northrop Grumman’s corporate logo. Again, I was fortunate with the timing of this as I was having a sheet of assorted decals printed for a model, I was working on at the time so a batch of various sized logos were added.
I think I have got the main changes covered and looking at the three points laid out they look fairly insignificant, but it took a fair few hours of internet searches, head scratching, calculations and educated guesswork to get there.
I think I have got the main changes covered and looking at the three points laid out they look fairly insignificant, but it took a fair few hours of internet searches, head scratching, calculations and educated guesswork to get there.
A screengrab of where the proposed cut line (the red one) will be for inserting the extension
A screengrab of where the proposed cut line (the red one) will be for inserting the extension
Two shots showing the changes to the livery
Two shots showing the changes to the livery
The second element of the model is the Dragon Capsule. I had previously looked around for a capsule on the open market and had made an approach to Oli Braun of Buzz media labs who produces a range of Space X rocket kits. Nothing came to fruition, and I left the looking on the backburner. A couple of years down the line and armed with a bit of Fusion 360 knowhow coupled with google & you tube I decided to have a bash at drawing one up and having it printed.
The second element of the model is the Dragon Capsule. I had previously looked around for a capsule on the open market and had made an approach to Oli Braun of Buzz media labs who produces a range of Space X rocket kits. Nothing came to fruition, and I left the looking on the backburner. A couple of years down the line and armed with a bit of Fusion 360 knowhow coupled with google & you tube I decided to have a bash at drawing one up and having it printed.
If I rewind time back to the early eighties when I was just about to leave school and I was messing about with my newly acquired ZX80 the younger me would have not imagined that the older me would have access to, the tools, and the knowledge to create 3d parametric models. Then with a couple of presses of a button, send (for that time an unimaginably huge) file to someone who could then turn that information into a physical object using a 3d printer.
If I rewind time back to the early eighties when I was just about to leave school and I was messing about with my newly acquired ZX80 the younger me would have not imagined that the older me would have access to, the tools, and the knowledge to create 3d parametric models. Then with a couple of presses of a button, send (for that time an unimaginably huge) file to someone who could then turn that information into a physical object using a 3d printer.
In this COVID era it appears that to travel you are required to print an extraordinary amount of paperwork to carry around, that is then totally ignored by the people that request it. So, whilst in quarantine the paper, and the enforced idle time were put to constructive use
In this COVID era it appears that to travel you are required to print an extraordinary amount of paperwork to carry around, that is then totally ignored by the people that request it. So, whilst in quarantine the paper, and the enforced idle time were put to constructive use
The capsule was drawn up as two separate elements
The capsule was drawn up as two separate elements
When it was finished, I had a play around with it, and the different visual effects available in Fusion
When it was finished, I had a play around with it, and the different visual effects available in Fusion
A couple of shots in a wireframe environment, and one of a very quick render with some colours added
A couple of shots in a wireframe environment, and one of a very quick render with some colours added
This part of the build should be relatively straightforward. Glue A to B and apply paint, he said.
This part of the build should be relatively straightforward. Glue A to B and apply paint, he said.
I have gone for a 1-48th scale, and that measures up at approx. 81mm diameter at the base and around about 70mm tall, a nice healthy size.
I have gone for a 1-48th scale, and that measures up at approx. 81mm diameter at the base and around about 70mm tall, a nice healthy size.
The paint application is where I will force myself to leave the comfort zone and for the first time attempt some creative weathering. Here is a shot of the recovered capsule and the look I would like to recreate
The paint application is where I will force myself to leave the comfort zone and for the first time attempt some creative weathering. Here is a shot of the recovered capsule and the look I would like to recreate
After another lengthy layoff from the bench due to work commitments I Managed to get a bit done
After another lengthy layoff from the bench due to work commitments I Managed to get a bit done
The Dragon was received from the printers, overall, quite pleased with how it turned out.
The Dragon was received from the printers, overall, quite pleased with how it turned out.
A coat of primer was applied to highlight the areas in need of attention, a good scrub down and minimal filler and the capsule is ready for another prime coat.
A coat of primer was applied to highlight the areas in need of attention, a good scrub down and minimal filler and the capsule is ready for another prime coat.
Then I had a look at the Antares, first job was to cut off the pour plug and sand the base flat.
Then I had a look at the Antares, first job was to cut off the pour plug and sand the base flat.
Next up was to tackle the first mod to the Antares, something I wasn’t looking forward to as it involved chopping the thing in half so the extension piece could be inserted.
Next up was to tackle the first mod to the Antares, something I wasn’t looking forward to as it involved chopping the thing in half so the extension piece could be inserted.
The ends were sanded square, but still couldn’t get a perfectly flat surface. Out came the Dremel and machined a recess out of the centre section of the mating faces. This made it a lot easier to get a true and square surface
The ends were sanded square, but still couldn’t get a perfectly flat surface. Out came the Dremel and machined a recess out of the centre section of the mating faces. This made it a lot easier to get a true and square surface
Checking for squareness,
Checking for squareness,
The insert is seen here, this mod is to allow for the fact that this flight was of an upgraded Antares that came from later than when the original model was released
The insert is seen here, this mod is to allow for the fact that this flight was of an upgraded Antares that came from later than when the original model was released
The sections dry fitted. Fortunately, where the cut lines come, they coincide with “panel lines”/mating surfaces on the real deal so there shouldn’t be any filling needed to hide the joins
The sections dry fitted. Fortunately, where the cut lines come, they coincide with “panel lines”/mating surfaces on the real deal so there shouldn’t be any filling needed to hide the joins
The insert was glued with C/A to the fairing using a piece of aluminium angle to line the two pieces up
The insert was glued with C/A to the fairing using a piece of aluminium angle to line the two pieces up
A stiffener rod was inserted and epoxy added to strengthen the joint
A stiffener rod was inserted and epoxy added to strengthen the joint
A small spacer was made to replicate the relief section at the interstage joint
A small spacer was made to replicate the relief section at the interstage joint
This was glued into place and the two halves joined
This was glued into place and the two halves joined
A coat of primer applied to see how it all looked. Not too bad, it will need some of the cut edges softening a little with a very small chamfer and a tiny amount of filler here and there.
A coat of primer applied to see how it all looked. Not too bad, it will need some of the cut edges softening a little with a very small chamfer and a tiny amount of filler here and there.
The fit between the heatshield and capsule of the dragon needed a bit of a tweak
The fit between the heatshield and capsule of the dragon needed a bit of a tweak
With the fit all good a final coat of primer applied
With the fit all good a final coat of primer applied
The kit supplied engine bells were modelled on the AJ26 engine and were heavily insulated. The newer engines installed at the time of the flight being modelled (the RD181) do not have this
The kit supplied engine bells were modelled on the AJ26 engine and were heavily insulated. The newer engines installed at the time of the flight being modelled (the RD181) do not have this
I had a bash at removing the insulation by placing the bells in my Minicraft drill and filing them
I had a bash at removing the insulation by placing the bells in my Minicraft drill and filing them
It turned out not so well
It turned out not so well
At the same time, I was trying to tidy up the join areas of the extension piece that had been grafted in. Repeated rounds of filling and sanding were not giving good results
At the same time, I was trying to tidy up the join areas of the extension piece that had been grafted in. Repeated rounds of filling and sanding were not giving good results
It was a case of back to the drawing board, in this case Fusion 360 an extension piece and engine bell were drawn up and 3d printed
It was a case of back to the drawing board, in this case Fusion 360 an extension piece and engine bell were drawn up and 3d printed
The old extension piece was removed, and new stiffeners were glued in place, and the stack was glued together again
The old extension piece was removed, and new stiffeners were glued in place, and the stack was glued together again
The finished result, and the engine bells shown ready to be attached. Much happier with the fit of the extension, with minimal work.
The finished result, and the engine bells shown ready to be attached. Much happier with the fit of the extension, with minimal work.
The base of the stage was drilled, this will be to accept a couple of brass rods, which will be used to secure the model to the display
The base of the stage was drilled, this will be to accept a couple of brass rods, which will be used to secure the model to the display
After taking some advice as to how to weather the dragon Capsule a repaint was required. I was advised to base coat in white, and as the primer I had used was a grey I stripped it back again. Not sure what happened during the stripping & repainting, but when I fitted the heat shield back again the fit at the split line was not as good as before. I decided to remove some material from the split line to give more of a point contact
After taking some advice as to how to weather the dragon Capsule a repaint was required. I was advised to base coat in white, and as the primer I had used was a grey I stripped it back again. Not sure what happened during the stripping & repainting, but when I fitted the heat shield back again the fit at the split line was not as good as before. I decided to remove some material from the split line to give more of a point contact
This made the fit a lot better. The capsule & heatshield were glued together. A sanding session ensued to “soften” some of the sharper looking edges. A rework with some filler is still needed in a couple of areas, but apart from that the capsule is ready for priming (yet again). Next to te 1-48th version is a 1-72nd print that I purchased a few years ago. This will be used a test mule for some of the weathering I will try.
This made the fit a lot better. The capsule & heatshield were glued together. A sanding session ensued to “soften” some of the sharper looking edges. A rework with some filler is still needed in a couple of areas, but apart from that the capsule is ready for priming (yet again). Next to te 1-48th version is a 1-72nd print that I purchased a few years ago. This will be used a test mule for some of the weathering I will try.
The Antares was undercoated with MR Surfacer 1500 white (thinned with MR Levelling thinner at 50/50 ratio), checked and sanded where required, this sanding destroyed some of the panel lines which were then re-scribed
The Antares was undercoated with MR Surfacer 1500 white (thinned with MR Levelling thinner at 50/50 ratio), checked and sanded where required, this sanding destroyed some of the panel lines which were then re-scribed
The model was then top-coated with MRP white. I have now flipped over to using mainly lacquer paints and undercoats for the larger parts, but still use Tamiya for smaller areas and detailing
The model was then top-coated with MRP white. I have now flipped over to using mainly lacquer paints and undercoats for the larger parts, but still use Tamiya for smaller areas and detailing
The next area to tackle was the heatshield on the base of the model, which in real life is a quilted insulation, that is a salmon pink colour. As i may have touched on elsewhere i have now started using Siemens solid edge 2D drafting as it is free. So this was used to make a drawing which was then imported directly into the Cameo Silhouette software and used to cut a pain mask
The next area to tackle was the heatshield on the base of the model, which in real life is a quilted insulation, that is a salmon pink colour. As i may have touched on elsewhere i have now started using Siemens solid edge 2D drafting as it is free. So this was used to make a drawing which was then imported directly into the Cameo Silhouette software and used to cut a pain mask
Heatshield blanket painted, a couple of tiny areas of the paint lifted from the photo etch, a touch up and gentle sanding cured that.
Heatshield blanket painted, a couple of tiny areas of the paint lifted from the photo etch, a touch up and gentle sanding cured that.
The Dragon capsule was re-primed and then the mask applied ready for painting the Space X logo. Fortunately this was already drawn as it was use on the previous 1-72nd scale booster. A quick rescale up to 1-48th and it was ready to go In the second image is my "test tube" and it has had a coating in the light yellowish brown that will be the first stage of attempting to display the capsule in it "crispy semi charred" state as it looked when recovered from the splashdown
The Dragon capsule was re-primed and then the mask applied ready for painting the Space X logo. Fortunately this was already drawn as it was use on the previous 1-72nd scale booster. A quick rescale up to 1-48th and it was ready to go In the second image is my "test tube" and it has had a coating in the light yellowish brown that will be the first stage of attempting to display the capsule in it "crispy semi charred" state as it looked when recovered from the splashdown
Centre image is the "withches brew" mix that was concocted for the light brown charred look
Decals were applied to the Antares, and a coat of matt varnish applied. I made a bit of a schoolboy error with the decals, i applied some setting solution to some, and not to others. Then proceeded to varnish the model without really checking for any silvering. End result is that the Cygnus, Antares & Grumman all have a slight amount that is visible under harsh artificial light. A lesson learnt, it was too late to rectify this as the varnish had gone on when i noticed it
Decals were applied to the Antares, and a coat of matt varnish applied. I made a bit of a schoolboy error with the decals, i applied some setting solution to some, and not to others. Then proceeded to varnish the model without really checking for any silvering. End result is that the Cygnus, Antares & Grumman all have a slight amount that is visible under harsh artificial light. A lesson learnt, it was too late to rectify this as the varnish had gone on when i noticed it
The engine bells were painted a gunmetal colour. A couple of coats of satin varnish was applied and the bells attached. That completed the build of the Antares.
The engine bells were painted a gunmetal colour. A couple of coats of satin varnish was applied and the bells attached. That completed the build of the Antares.
Work started on weathering the Dragon capsule. There are a lot of good images floating around on the net, the image on the left is one taken of the capsule that returned the patch to earth, so this is my primary reference
Work started on weathering the Dragon capsule. There are a lot of good images floating around on the net, the image on the left is one taken of the capsule that returned the patch to earth, so this is my primary reference
