Embedded Files
A few notes about the model
A few notes about the model
Choosing the subject
Choosing the subject
There were a number of reasons for choosing Apollo 9 as the theme, initially I was swayed by the sheer amount and quality of the images of the Lunar Module during its flight. Another factor is that the flight was a test and proving flight in earth orbit, and the early test flights are ones that I have a particular interest in. Something maybe a little different as most models of the LM seem to be of Apollo 11’s Eagle. The last factor was the purchase of a piece of foil insulation that was flown aboard the Command module, I thought it would be nice to display it alongside the model.
There were a number of reasons for choosing Apollo 9 as the theme, initially I was swayed by the sheer amount and quality of the images of the Lunar Module during its flight. Another factor is that the flight was a test and proving flight in earth orbit, and the early test flights are ones that I have a particular interest in. Something maybe a little different as most models of the LM seem to be of Apollo 11’s Eagle. The last factor was the purchase of a piece of foil insulation that was flown aboard the Command module, I thought it would be nice to display it alongside the model.
Main elements of the model
Main elements of the model
The model is made up from two separate kits
The model is made up from two separate kits
1. The CSM (Command & Service Module)
1. The CSM (Command & Service Module)
This is a mass-produced kit that was originally produced by Monogram in 1970 & latterly by Revell, with the latest release being 2019 for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. It is a 1-32nd scale, and is recognised as a reasonably accurate representation of the real thing.
This is a mass-produced kit that was originally produced by Monogram in 1970 & latterly by Revell, with the latest release being 2019 for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing. It is a 1-32nd scale, and is recognised as a reasonably accurate representation of the real thing.
The model comes as standard with two clear sections of the skin with interior details included.
The model comes as standard with two clear sections of the skin with interior details included.
One clear section is part of the CM (Command Module), and shows the crew cabin. The second section is part of the SM (Service Module), and this shows fuel cells & gas tanks.
One clear section is part of the CM (Command Module), and shows the crew cabin. The second section is part of the SM (Service Module), and this shows fuel cells & gas tanks.
2. The LM (Lunar Module)
2. The LM (Lunar Module)
This is a 3D printed kit. The kit was produced by renowned space modeller Vincent Meens, and purchased via a 3D printing company called Shapeways. The model is incredibly detailed and thoroughly researched. It is that well researched and accurate that there is no need to modify it in any way shape or form to make it more accurate. It comes with the added bonus that it is available in all the variations it went through during its operational lifespan. Shapeways offer a service whereby you upload your 3D files to their website and they will print the item for you, further to that if you want to sell the item you can open a “shop” there and sell your items. A customer will go to the online shop and order an item, Shapeways print it send it to the customer, keep a slice of the fee and credit the shop owner with remaining money. The model also comes with an option of a highly detailed interior.
This is a 3D printed kit. The kit was produced by renowned space modeller Vincent Meens, and purchased via a 3D printing company called Shapeways. The model is incredibly detailed and thoroughly researched. It is that well researched and accurate that there is no need to modify it in any way shape or form to make it more accurate. It comes with the added bonus that it is available in all the variations it went through during its operational lifespan. Shapeways offer a service whereby you upload your 3D files to their website and they will print the item for you, further to that if you want to sell the item you can open a “shop” there and sell your items. A customer will go to the online shop and order an item, Shapeways print it send it to the customer, keep a slice of the fee and credit the shop owner with remaining money. The model also comes with an option of a highly detailed interior.
Lights
Lights
Early on in the planning stage I made the decision to “Light up” the model and include a full set of operational lights that would be controlled from a control panel that has the appearance of the control panels and switches in the spacecraft. I will admit that I totally underestimated the amount of time and effort that went into this part of the project, and it ended up a very much as a make it up as I went along. It was an interesting job, and one that taught me a few new tricks.
Early on in the planning stage I made the decision to “Light up” the model and include a full set of operational lights that would be controlled from a control panel that has the appearance of the control panels and switches in the spacecraft. I will admit that I totally underestimated the amount of time and effort that went into this part of the project, and it ended up a very much as a make it up as I went along. It was an interesting job, and one that taught me a few new tricks.
About a year and a half after the model was completed it became obvious that having the lights controlled by a panel buried behind the display case was not a very practical solution. This was cured by retrofitting a remote control system. A section is devoted to the upgrade
About a year and a half after the model was completed it became obvious that having the lights controlled by a panel buried behind the display case was not a very practical solution. This was cured by retrofitting a remote control system. A section is devoted to the upgrade
Upgrades & Modifications
Upgrades & Modifications
Upgrades
Upgrades
Something extra that is added to the model or replaces an existing part, traditionally upgrades are produced and sold by third party makers. but with the advent of 3D printing many modellers are designing and producing “Home-Made” items. Upgrades can also include scratch building, as the name implies this is the art of making something from scratch, with pieces of plastic, wire, metal rod, or anything that comes to hand.
Something extra that is added to the model or replaces an existing part, traditionally upgrades are produced and sold by third party makers. but with the advent of 3D printing many modellers are designing and producing “Home-Made” items. Upgrades can also include scratch building, as the name implies this is the art of making something from scratch, with pieces of plastic, wire, metal rod, or anything that comes to hand.
Modifications
Modifications
Changes to the structure, and also changes to how the items are joined.
Changes to the structure, and also changes to how the items are joined.
Here are the Upgrades and Modifications that are part of the build
Here are the Upgrades and Modifications that are part of the build
Revell CSM Upgrades
Revell CSM Upgrades
3D printed items from Michael Key; another designer who sells his items through Shapeways. 3D printed items from Vincent Meens are also used, alongside a photoetch & resin Kit from a company called New Ware. A 3D printed astronaut by Max Gruter is in place in the CM. This model also has 3D printed parts & photoetch that are designed by me. At the time of design, I did not have the skills to draw the items using computer software, after putting out a request in a face book group I touched base with Brian Usher. Brian turned some very dodgy sketches into finished STL files that could be uploaded to Shapeways, and also the 2D drawings that were needed by the photoetch company. A few scratchbuilt switches and knobs were added to the panels just inside the CM window areas. Another important upgrade is the addition of a set of decals produced by Rick Sternbach. These are second to none, highly researched, and of a superb quality.
3D printed items from Michael Key; another designer who sells his items through Shapeways. 3D printed items from Vincent Meens are also used, alongside a photoetch & resin Kit from a company called New Ware. A 3D printed astronaut by Max Gruter is in place in the CM. This model also has 3D printed parts & photoetch that are designed by me. At the time of design, I did not have the skills to draw the items using computer software, after putting out a request in a face book group I touched base with Brian Usher. Brian turned some very dodgy sketches into finished STL files that could be uploaded to Shapeways, and also the 2D drawings that were needed by the photoetch company. A few scratchbuilt switches and knobs were added to the panels just inside the CM window areas. Another important upgrade is the addition of a set of decals produced by Rick Sternbach. These are second to none, highly researched, and of a superb quality.
Revell CSM Modifications.
Revell CSM Modifications.
The CSM has been modified to make it modular in such a way that the major parts can be disassembled at a later date. This was partly driven by the thought that if a light failed, I could have better access to fix the light or a broken wire. Another reason was for future maintenance, and even replacements of sections of the model. Replacing a section is something that I have considered as a future project if my skills improve to a point that I think I could make a new item that is considerably better than the existing one. This has been achieved by installing threaded rods, nuts, and guide tubes inside the model and making a stainless-steel support. In essence the major parts are bolted together rather than glued. Extra tubes were installed to run the cables that power the lights. The only very slight down side is that there is a large tube running through the crew cabin of the Command Module. The tube is only partially visible through the windows and has been mostly hidden by the addition of an astronaut.
The CSM has been modified to make it modular in such a way that the major parts can be disassembled at a later date. This was partly driven by the thought that if a light failed, I could have better access to fix the light or a broken wire. Another reason was for future maintenance, and even replacements of sections of the model. Replacing a section is something that I have considered as a future project if my skills improve to a point that I think I could make a new item that is considerably better than the existing one. This has been achieved by installing threaded rods, nuts, and guide tubes inside the model and making a stainless-steel support. In essence the major parts are bolted together rather than glued. Extra tubes were installed to run the cables that power the lights. The only very slight down side is that there is a large tube running through the crew cabin of the Command Module. The tube is only partially visible through the windows and has been mostly hidden by the addition of an astronaut.
LM Upgrades
LM Upgrades
As previously mentioned, Vincent’s products require no upgrades or modifications to make them more accurate. The LM was bought without an interior as I had no interest in having a detailed area that would never see the light of day. It was only when the lights were being installed that it dawned on me that whilst looking through the windows with the lights on all you would see was a very bare space. With that in mind I set about building interior details of only the bits that you could see through the windows. I could have purchased the items from Vincent, but in this case as they would only be partly visible, I decided to have a bash and scratch build them myself. As with the CM there is a tube running up the middle of the crew compartment of the LM, but this again is not that visible. There are no aftermarket decals available in 1-32nd scale so some of the decals on the model were designed by me and produced by a third party. Vincent does provide some files that can be used to produce home-made decals. Homemade decals can be printed onto decal paper using Inkjet or Laser printers. The Laser printers produce better results, but the downside is that there are very few printers for the home market that can print the colour White. Jim Key from Accurate Models very kindly provided me with the SVG files for the descent stage US flag & United States graphic.
As previously mentioned, Vincent’s products require no upgrades or modifications to make them more accurate. The LM was bought without an interior as I had no interest in having a detailed area that would never see the light of day. It was only when the lights were being installed that it dawned on me that whilst looking through the windows with the lights on all you would see was a very bare space. With that in mind I set about building interior details of only the bits that you could see through the windows. I could have purchased the items from Vincent, but in this case as they would only be partly visible, I decided to have a bash and scratch build them myself. As with the CM there is a tube running up the middle of the crew compartment of the LM, but this again is not that visible. There are no aftermarket decals available in 1-32nd scale so some of the decals on the model were designed by me and produced by a third party. Vincent does provide some files that can be used to produce home-made decals. Homemade decals can be printed onto decal paper using Inkjet or Laser printers. The Laser printers produce better results, but the downside is that there are very few printers for the home market that can print the colour White. Jim Key from Accurate Models very kindly provided me with the SVG files for the descent stage US flag & United States graphic.
LM Modifications
LM Modifications
In line with the CSM I have modified the model so that the major parts bolt together for ease of assembly, maintenance and lighting installation. This was also done with the scratch built rear section of the crew compartment. On the real LM the rear section of the Ascent Stage was an electronics bay, this by chance has been copied for the model and is in effect the terminal box for all the lights, and is bolted into place once final connections have taken place. Other minor modifications include making the landing gear so that it was bolted and screwed together. This was done so a lot of the panels and the struts could be prefinished with the various foils and then assembled later.
In line with the CSM I have modified the model so that the major parts bolt together for ease of assembly, maintenance and lighting installation. This was also done with the scratch built rear section of the crew compartment. On the real LM the rear section of the Ascent Stage was an electronics bay, this by chance has been copied for the model and is in effect the terminal box for all the lights, and is bolted into place once final connections have taken place. Other minor modifications include making the landing gear so that it was bolted and screwed together. This was done so a lot of the panels and the struts could be prefinished with the various foils and then assembled later.
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