1/144 Launch Complex 39A diorama

by Frank McVeigh

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  United States of America Independence Day 2006 

 

This is a project that took about a year to complete. I researched this subject as much as possible on-line. I drew the layout on a poster board - placed the models in relative position and made my notes. Ultimately, this was nothing more than an "educated as possible" guestimate. I wanted the pad to look functional, dirty and in-operation. The pad consists of 1/4" Luan flooring cut and shaped into the various panels and angles - then scored with a nail. The pad was prepared with a gesso-spray to accept the acrylic paint. All the painting is done by hand / brush on the pad. I used various styrene pieces to scratch-build the details that occupy the pad. N scale vehicles were added to give a human feel of being in operation.

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The orbiter is the basic Revell kit with full stack. I realize that the mobile launch platform is inaccurate, but I left it alone so as not to have this piece any larger than I had to have it! The shuttle is decorated with Real Space Models decals. The rotating and fixed service structures are also a Revell kit - with scratch-built piping and hoses (such as the LOX vent). 
This is a subject I've wanted to undertake for sometime and enjoyed seeing the transformation from raw wood to launch pad.
Frank

Photos and text © by Frank McVeigh