Embedded Files
Design work for the project had been started mid 2023. The fusion files were completed in January 2024 and the printed parts purchased February 2024 with the intention of starting the build when the AS-202 Saturn 1b build was completed
Design work for the project had been started mid 2023. The fusion files were completed in January 2024 and the printed parts purchased February 2024 with the intention of starting the build when the AS-202 Saturn 1b build was completed
The build did start in February 2025, but was shelved due to starting the ASTP build. It was then restarted early June . Being relatively straight forward t was completed mid June
The build did start in February 2025, but was shelved due to starting the ASTP build. It was then restarted early June . Being relatively straight forward t was completed mid June
Flight Number 59. also designated TF-2 took place on 20th May 1952 it was a modified version that carried three cannisters on the nose that were designed to sample the upper atmosphere
Flight Number 59. also designated TF-2 took place on 20th May 1952 it was a modified version that carried three cannisters on the nose that were designed to sample the upper atmosphere
I could not find any definitive drawings online. The only thing I did manage to track down was an overall height. This came from Peter Alway's book
I could not find any definitive drawings online. The only thing I did manage to track down was an overall height. This came from Peter Alway's book
A concept sketch was made
A concept sketch was made
Using this and other references found online in conjunction with excel a set of dimensions were extrapolated. These were used to produce a 3d model in fusion 360
Using this and other references found online in conjunction with excel a set of dimensions were extrapolated. These were used to produce a 3d model in fusion 360
From the files 3d prints of the item were created and purchased from Shapeways
From the files 3d prints of the item were created and purchased from Shapeways
A cut line was established on the fuselage of the kit, and the unwanted section removed
A cut line was established on the fuselage of the kit, and the unwanted section removed
The 3d parts trial fitted
The 3d parts trial fitted
As there are no decals available the scheme will be 100% painted. Again using a combination of screenshots and Excel a size was arrived at for the lettering
As there are no decals available the scheme will be 100% painted. Again using a combination of screenshots and Excel a size was arrived at for the lettering
An online font finder was used and after a bit if trial and error a mask was created for the lettering
An online font finder was used and after a bit if trial and error a mask was created for the lettering
In line with most of the models I build I decided to make the two sections bolt together, The screw is held in the tail section, and a styrene frame containing a captive nut is located in the main frame.
In line with most of the models I build I decided to make the two sections bolt together, The screw is held in the tail section, and a styrene frame containing a captive nut is located in the main frame.
The tail & main section halves were finish glued together and tape applied to either side of the seam, and a thin layer of sprue goo was applied
The tail & main section halves were finish glued together and tape applied to either side of the seam, and a thin layer of sprue goo was applied
The fins were glued to the tail section, a line up jig was made and used to ensure they were aligned correctly
The fins were glued to the tail section, a line up jig was made and used to ensure they were aligned correctly
The main section joins were sanded
The main section joins were sanded
A spot coat of primer was applied to the joins to see if the filling and sanding had produced a defect free outcome. Whilst the airbrush was loaded with primer a coat was applied to the experiment
A spot coat of primer was applied to the joins to see if the filling and sanding had produced a defect free outcome. Whilst the airbrush was loaded with primer a coat was applied to the experiment
The build was put on hold for a while as the ASTP build "jumped the queue". When it was restarted the experiment was masked and finish painted
The build was put on hold for a while as the ASTP build "jumped the queue". When it was restarted the experiment was masked and finish painted
More work was carried out to the seams and panel lines were rescribed where needed
More work was carried out to the seams and panel lines were rescribed where needed
Photo etch door latches were applied
Photo etch door latches were applied
The two halves of the rocket were sprayed with undercoat (Mr Surfacer 1500 white mixed 50/50 with Mr Levelling thinner). They were then given a topcoat of MRP white.
The two halves of the rocket were sprayed with undercoat (Mr Surfacer 1500 white mixed 50/50 with Mr Levelling thinner). They were then given a topcoat of MRP white.
The bottom section was then masked ready for the black roll pattern to be painted.
The bottom section was then masked ready for the black roll pattern to be painted.
I decided to use a new to me method for the white 59 markings. It is what i would call "reverse" masking whereby the number part of the mask is left on the surface and the black is sprayed "around it". The mask is then removed to reveal the white below, This has two advantages in that is saves an extra stage of painting, and also a lot of white is needed to cover the black which can lead to excessive paint build up
I decided to use a new to me method for the white 59 markings. It is what i would call "reverse" masking whereby the number part of the mask is left on the surface and the black is sprayed "around it". The mask is then removed to reveal the white below, This has two advantages in that is saves an extra stage of painting, and also a lot of white is needed to cover the black which can lead to excessive paint build up
The small bits of paper taped to the section were visual reminders of the colours required for each portion
The small bits of paper taped to the section were visual reminders of the colours required for each portion
The Buy Bonds lettering was cut and made ready to apply. As the mask is quite a large one I decide to split is in half and paint it in two goes. This made it easier to apply and line up.
The Buy Bonds lettering was cut and made ready to apply. As the mask is quite a large one I decide to split is in half and paint it in two goes. This made it easier to apply and line up.
The sections were painted and the masks removed
The sections were painted and the masks removed
Whilst removing the mask a small section of paint pulled away from one of the 59's. Another mask was cut to just paint only on the damaged area and a repair was carried out
Whilst removing the mask a small section of paint pulled away from one of the 59's. Another mask was cut to just paint only on the damaged area and a repair was carried out
The second half of the Buy Bonds mask was applied and the lettering was painted. A well as the BUY the two horizontal bands were painted.
The second half of the Buy Bonds mask was applied and the lettering was painted. A well as the BUY the two horizontal bands were painted.
On a previous build of the V2 the striping on the top section had been applied using strips of decal paper cut from a sheet. On this build i decide to have a bash at painting the stripes
On a previous build of the V2 the striping on the top section had been applied using strips of decal paper cut from a sheet. On this build i decide to have a bash at painting the stripes
I thought this would be easy, but it was a little trickier than what thought it was going to be. After a few falso starts i came up with this method.
I thought this would be easy, but it was a little trickier than what thought it was going to be. After a few falso starts i came up with this method.
- A strip of thin styrene was taped into place that bisected the horizontal stripes on the centre line of the vertical stripe.
- A two piece mask was then applied using the styrene as a guide. The first section of the two piece mask was half the width of the stripe.
- The styrene guide was removed and another two part mask was applied
- The two small strips were removed leaving the area to be painted exposed
The rest of the section was adequately masked and the stripes painted. It would have been really difficult to have used this method to have painted all the stripes in one go, so it was done in two shots of four.
The rest of the section was adequately masked and the stripes painted. It would have been really difficult to have used this method to have painted all the stripes in one go, so it was done in two shots of four.
Here the second stage masking is being carried out.
Here the second stage masking is being carried out.
The steering vanes and the central annular ring were prepped and painted. I used a Tamiya Gunmetal for the graphite section of the vanes. The Tamiya is any acrylic paint that is usually thinned with X-20A thinner. I had seen somewhere that someone had used Mr Color Levelling thinners with the Tamiya X range of Acrylics so decided to see what it was like. It works a treat and the finish was silky smooth.
The steering vanes and the central annular ring were prepped and painted. I used a Tamiya Gunmetal for the graphite section of the vanes. The Tamiya is any acrylic paint that is usually thinned with X-20A thinner. I had seen somewhere that someone had used Mr Color Levelling thinners with the Tamiya X range of Acrylics so decided to see what it was like. It works a treat and the finish was silky smooth.
I thought that was that and applied a couple of coats of Semi Gloss clear coat to the model (Mr Color GX181). As this was drying I remembered that a red circle needed painting on each of the fin faces. A trial mask was made and applied. The size of the circle looked a little small so I removed the mask and a disaster happened. More white paint came away so another repair is needed.
I thought that was that and applied a couple of coats of Semi Gloss clear coat to the model (Mr Color GX181). As this was drying I remembered that a red circle needed painting on each of the fin faces. A trial mask was made and applied. The size of the circle looked a little small so I removed the mask and a disaster happened. More white paint came away so another repair is needed.
Bearing in mind that for some reason there are a few areas of white which do not have good adhesion I have abandoned the idea of painting the red circles and will go with cutting some from a sheet of red decal paper
Bearing in mind that for some reason there are a few areas of white which do not have good adhesion I have abandoned the idea of painting the red circles and will go with cutting some from a sheet of red decal paper
The repair as completed
The repair as completed
Working with rockets that are primarily black and white I have hit upon a method of doing very small touch ups with permanent marker pens that works well
Working with rockets that are primarily black and white I have hit upon a method of doing very small touch ups with permanent marker pens that works well
The small red circles were cut from a sheet of red decal paper using the DSPIAE circle cutter
The small red circles were cut from a sheet of red decal paper using the DSPIAE circle cutter
The small red circles were then applied to the appropriate fins
The small red circles were then applied to the appropriate fins
The steering vanes were attached and that completed the build
The steering vanes were attached and that completed the build
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