Embedded Files
With all of the main elements complete the model was ready for the final assembly. This was to include the installation of the last few lights and hooking up the wiring. Also there was a fair amount of small detail items to set in place, these had been left off until the last minute to stop them being damaged. As previously outlined this whole sequence had been tried out, and plans were made to ensure this could be done without any last minute hitches.
With all of the main elements complete the model was ready for the final assembly. This was to include the installation of the last few lights and hooking up the wiring. Also there was a fair amount of small detail items to set in place, these had been left off until the last minute to stop them being damaged. As previously outlined this whole sequence had been tried out, and plans were made to ensure this could be done without any last minute hitches.
Service module in jig ready for the EVA light installation
Service module in jig ready for the EVA light installation
Command module in jig ready to accept wires
Command module in jig ready to accept wires
EVA light is installed
EVA light is installed
EVA light
EVA light
Wires from the Command Module are threaded through the service module
Wires from the Command Module are threaded through the service module
The two modules are mated together
The two modules are mated together
The assembly turned and placed in a jig
The assembly turned and placed in a jig
Heatshield put in place
Heatshield put in place
Wires fed through the engine bell
Wires fed through the engine bell
All wires installed
All wires installed
Engine bell in place
Engine bell in place
The stand bolted on
The stand bolted on
The assembly then placed on the base, wires fed through to the power supply wiring on the tray. Small details such as grab handles, vents, and thrusters added
The assembly then placed on the base, wires fed through to the power supply wiring on the tray. Small details such as grab handles, vents, and thrusters added
The wires at the top are to power the LM lights
The wires at the top are to power the LM lights
The lights werew connected to the battery packs, and yet another test was carried out
The lights werew connected to the battery packs, and yet another test was carried out
The CSM is now fully installed and all checked out
The CSM is now fully installed and all checked out
Next up was the Lunar module ascent stage. The last piece of insulation was installed to the base. This had been left of whilst the model was in the jig being spun around during construction
Next up was the Lunar module ascent stage. The last piece of insulation was installed to the base. This had been left of whilst the model was in the jig being spun around during construction
Installed
Installed
RCS thruster nozzles installed
RCS thruster nozzles installed
Antenna dish, and AOT in place
Antenna dish, and AOT in place
Docking target glued in
Docking target glued in
View from above
View from above
Wires threaded through the top of the LM,and then the module put in place
Wires threaded through the top of the LM,and then the module put in place
Preparing to connect the wiring
Preparing to connect the wiring
A view from the front
A view from the front
A temporary support installed whilst the wires were being pushed pulled and tugged into place
A temporary support installed whilst the wires were being pushed pulled and tugged into place
The wires connected and secured
The wires connected and secured
This is one area that i did not convert to the crimp bootlace ferrules as the wires from the module to the connector block were already trimmed to length and quite short. It would have meant stripping the whole thing down, something i really didn't want to do
This is one area that i did not convert to the crimp bootlace ferrules as the wires from the module to the connector block were already trimmed to length and quite short. It would have meant stripping the whole thing down, something i really didn't want to do
Connecting the light to the rear equipment bay
Connecting the light to the rear equipment bay
Testing the light
Testing the light
The rear bay installed, secured with a screw and the panels installed
The rear bay installed, secured with a screw and the panels installed
Various antenna placed
Various antenna placed
Steam vent installed, it is ̣̣the circular item to the left of the antenna
Steam vent installed, it is ̣̣the circular item to the left of the antenna
Antenna place on the front panel
Antenna place on the front panel
And yes, another light check
And yes, another light check
LM Interior light on
LM Interior light on
The Hi gain Antenna set in position
The Hi gain Antenna set in position
During this stage i took a ton of photos from all angles, they are a good tool to catch any small snags, bits of loose tape or minute paint touch ups that are needed
During this stage i took a ton of photos from all angles, they are a good tool to catch any small snags, bits of loose tape or minute paint touch ups that are needed
Next up was the LM descent stage. The footpads were glued in place. As i had left the braces in place, and also because i had beefed up and screwed the legs together i was confident that the whole stage would support its own weight. This made the job of aligning and gluing the pads relatively simple. It is a testament to how accurate this model is in that i only had to place a 0.2mm shim under one of the pads
Next up was the LM descent stage. The footpads were glued in place. As i had left the braces in place, and also because i had beefed up and screwed the legs together i was confident that the whole stage would support its own weight. This made the job of aligning and gluing the pads relatively simple. It is a testament to how accurate this model is in that i only had to place a 0.2mm shim under one of the pads
The blast deflector was removed from its support. The scalpel blade is a very small saw with fine teeth
The blast deflector was removed from its support. The scalpel blade is a very small saw with fine teeth
As it is so delicate it was secured to the mat with double sided tape whilst being cut.
As it is so delicate it was secured to the mat with double sided tape whilst being cut.
The pads were left overnight to cure, they were glued in with a dab of 5minute epoxy
The pads were left overnight to cure, they were glued in with a dab of 5minute epoxy
The wires running down the main struts were fed through holes in the footpads
The wires running down the main struts were fed through holes in the footpads
The model ready to accept the final stage
The model ready to accept the final stage
Attaching the ladder and applying insulation to the rungs as per flight photographs
Attaching the ladder and applying insulation to the rungs as per flight photographs
The stage was then upended, the landing radar installed
The stage was then upended, the landing radar installed
Blast deflector added
Blast deflector added
landing probes set in place, the wire was taped to the probe and the excess trimmed
landing probes set in place, the wire was taped to the probe and the excess trimmed
The final securing bolt trimmed to length
The final securing bolt trimmed to length
The securing braces on the landing gear were removed
The securing braces on the landing gear were removed
The descent stage was then bolted into place on the 26th June 2020, ending a journey that had started on the 18th March 2018.
The descent stage was then bolted into place on the 26th June 2020, ending a journey that had started on the 18th March 2018.
Google Sites
Report abuse