This
Apollo 15 Lunar Module is the 1/48 scale Revell Monogram kit. The Rover is
the first completely scratch built model I've ever done ( took 37 hours to
complete) and the LM has a great deal of modifications (Over 200 hours to
complete). The four 'quads' have been cut out to show the different
equipment bays. Quad 1, to the viewer's right of the ladder, had the
Rover. Quad 2 the ALSEP package and the RTG cask (the access doors on this
quad actually open in an 'accordion' mode, like the real thing). Quad 3,
the Rover equipment pallets and Quad 4 the extended stay MESA.
There
are over 30 mods to this model. For instance, ALL the antennae have been
rebuilt. The ladder has been rebuilt and I've included the hook for
weighing the lunar rock samples. The porch was rebuilt and I've attached a
handle on either side of it, one for the MESA deployment and the other for
the Rover deployment. The descent stage has been covered in three
different colours of foil. The gold colours are from chocolate bars sold
here in Canada (Aero and Caramilk) The black foil was painted a tint of
flat black on household aluminum foil and adhered with Microscale Foil
Adhesive. The Landing probes were installed and bent up. Thin Gold tape
was placed all over the LM where applicable as per my photo references.
The MESA was detailed and the electrometric strap was included. Vent Hoods
were placed on the Ascent Stage, RCS thrusters were hollowed out, Landing
Radar and its protective sheild were rebuilt and much, much, much more.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The
panels on the Ascent Stage were cut out of thin, 7 thou, printer plate
Aluminum sheet and bent to conform to the kit. The panels were glued with
CA glue. The panels on the rear of the Ascent Stage were bent to simulate
the loads and forces endured upon landing. The Rendezvous window was cut
out. Little details were included, like the umbilical connection on the
Ascent Stage and the SLA umbilical connectors on the Descent Stage. I used
Rick Sternbach's excellent decals and windows for the model. I also used,
extensively, Scott P Sullivan's superb reference book, Virtual LM. It was
absolutely indispensible. Any detail I needed was included in his book.
His research was exhaustive. I also want to thank Paul Fjeld for his
advice on the placement of the electrometric strap which 'extends' the
MESA.
I've
also detailed the astronauts. (I made four of 'em) I cut apart the arms and legs
and reattached them to depict the famous Apollo 15 photo with Jim Irwin, the LM
and the Rover. Homemade decals, antennas, sample bags (made from bent aluminum
from a frozen lasagna pan lid) and attaching straps (household aluminum foil
painted off white), were glued to the Astronauts' backpacks (PLSS). Dirt on
their suits was simulated with a light spray of grey paint. The visors were
painted and 7 coats of Future, with yellow food colouring, were used to give a
nice, tinted glossy look to the visors. The Astronaut depicting Dave Scott (with
red stripes) has a scratchbuilt camera attached to his chest, One other
Astronaut (not shown) has been formed in a seated position, which will fit in
the Rover, for other display purposes. One other Astronaut (again, not shown
here) will be used in a separate Rover display. The lunar base was also scratch
built using a piece of drywall as the base and large amounts of 'spackle' spread
over it for a base to make all the craters. The footsteps were done using a
little, tiny, scratch built, footpad, with grooves.
The
Rover is a separate story. It has over 230 parts, homemade decals, removable
tools and an operating hinged equipment pallet on the back.
I
have wanted to build these models for over 30 years ... and finally had the time
and references to do it. I'm just getting into this hobby and thanx to sites
like ARC I have learned an enormous amount. Now, I'm just starting to put all
that observational knowledge to use ... and I'm having a blast!
Thanx
Steve for maintaining a great website and offering us an opportunity, and a
venue, to display our work to our peers!
Thanx
for looking!
Pete
Click on
images below to see larger images
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