Monogram First Lunar Landing 1/48

Since I was so far behind on this project, I decided I needed to revise the scope of the project.  Originally, I had intended to do quite a bit of detailing to each kit (after the Man in Space set) as some exercise to get to the really big detail kits, the Saturn V 1:96 and the Mercury capsule 1:12.  The Saturn V kit had the New Ware detail set to help out with this, but I intended to scratch build a lot of the detailing for the Mercury capsule.  As life intervened and procrastination took its toll, it became obvious that I was not going to be able to complete the project as envisioned.

First Lunar Landing

I decided to take two steps to salvage something of the original goal of completing the kits by the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing.  First, I needed to reduce the number of kits in the project, so I have removed the Mercury capsule from the schedule.  There is too much detail that I want to do on that kit, and I will not be able to give it the necessary attention before the anniversary.  Also, I will not be building the 1/32 Apollo CSM.  Just not enough time to get it all done. Secondly, I am limiting my detailing to the Saturn V and a few changes to the Revell Apollo Astronaut.  These two kits are important to the anniversary, and I have the plans for what to accomplish on the detailing of these two kits.  The only remaining kit to assemble, then, the Monogram First Lunar Landing, would be assembled "out of the box."

Descent stage foil

I started with the descent stage, as per the instructions.  Here is a photo of the application of the foil on the bottom (left).



I then completed the entire descent stage (right).

Test fitting the ascent stage

Then, a quick test fit of the ascent stage, before priming.

The final step was painting.  I used a mix of Vallejo Natural Steel with Stonewall Grey to achieve a more scale-appropriate sheen on the bare metal parts.

Almost complete

Finished, with astronauts

AMT Man in Space 1/200, Part 3

Well, I have ignored updating this blog for a long time.  There was quite a bit of activity on the project during the interim.  And there was a lot of inactivity, too, unfortunately.  So, to help right the ship, I'll just post some updated photos of the kits in progress/completed.  First up, the Man in Space set.

Saturn V before priming

Here is the Saturn V complete, minus the escape tower, before priming.  Note the Saturn IB in the background, also pre-priming.

Gemini Titan, sans decals

 The Gemini Titan, mounted next to the completed Mercury kits (and the Saturn IB in the background).  Note the flat gray for the metallic areas on the Titan, as well as the Atlas.  I opted to go for the illusion of the bare metal color, as metallic paints on this scale tend to destroy the scale appearance.

Gemini Titan and the Mercurys

The completed Gemini Titan looks good with the decals.

Saturn IB completed

Saturn IB before decals

Here we have the Saturn IB, before decals and escape tower (on the left), and completed (on the right).

And the queen of the set, the Saturn V, complete.

Saturn V