Author Topic: 1952 von Braun and Freinds Moonship (Read 13788 times)

stevegallacci · « **on:** April 15, 2015, 02:46:12 AM »

A commission build in 1/144, the basic frame is soldered brass

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2015, 02:59:45 AM »

I assume this is a complete scratch build?

stevegallacci · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2015, 03:52:56 AM »

Interestingly, the large globe fuel tanks and habitat sphere are off-the-shelf Hobby Lobby clear plastic DIY Christmas tree globes, but everything else will be scratch. The smaller tanks and motors will be resin castings, as they are duplicates of simple shapes.

Frank3k · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2015, 04:58:06 AM »

This is going to look good! If you're using the ARA press "Spaceship Handbook" as a reference... "trust but verify" the numbers/shapes with another source.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2015, 05:22:32 AM »

While I'm using the book, I'm also looking at the original art as well as some more recent interpretations.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2015, 02:11:41 AM »

Watching this one closely.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2015, 02:40:47 PM »

I wanted to post a new progress snap- but can't seem to find the image post function???

stevegallacci · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2015, 03:06:47 PM »

Oh. The quick reply doesn't have the functions that the full replay has. Okay, now it show and tell.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2015, 03:11:51 PM »

Wow! Some serious metal working and the results so far are quite impressive.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #9 on:** May 07, 2015, 02:23:21 AM »

So, when can I order my copy?

stevegallacci · « **Reply #10 on:** May 07, 2015, 05:28:29 AM »

Ha! Though, as the tanks and motors are castings, running up copies wouldn't be that hard. For me, makes considering the massive mission to Mars fleet more accessable as it uses the same building blocks. I'll be finishing the hex nozzle motor pattern today.

elmayerle · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2015, 11:39:41 AM »

Beautiful work!! Is that Mars fleet the one that inspired Conquest of Space, complete with flying-wing lander?

stevegallacci · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2015, 12:35:28 PM »

oh, yeah. The lander would be so cool with the huge wings.

arkon · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2015, 02:02:51 PM »

as a welder, your brass soldering and forming skills are outstanding! very nice rocket you got going there.

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2015, 12:23:08 AM »

Quote from: arkon on May 07, 2015, 02:02:51 PM

as a welder, your brass soldering and forming skills are outstanding! very nice rocket you got going there.

You should see his basement. No. Seriously. You should see his basement. :)

Steve has a nice work shop-design bureau and model kit warehouse hidden away from prying eyes below ground that is to be envied. The ground floor is also quite impressive but the basement is the real winner.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2015, 02:59:05 AM »

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on May 08, 2015, 12:23:08 AM

Quote from: arkon on May 07, 2015, 02:02:51 PM
as a welder, your brass soldering and forming skills are outstanding! very nice rocket you got going there.
You should see his basement. No. Seriously. You should see his basement. :)

Steve has a nice work shop-design bureau and model kit warehouse hidden away from prying eyes below ground that is to be envied. The ground floor is also quite impressive but the basement is the real winner.

The man speaks the truth!

finsrin · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2015, 05:59:09 AM »

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on May 08, 2015, 12:23:08 AM

Quote from: arkon on May 07, 2015, 02:02:51 PM
as a welder, your brass soldering and forming skills are outstanding! very nice rocket you got going there.
You should see his basement. No. Seriously. You should see his basement. :)

Steve has a nice work shop-design bureau and model kit warehouse hidden away from prying eyes below ground that is to be envied. The ground floor is also quite impressive but the basement is the real winner.

I been there. Totally agree with Jeff.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #17 on:** May 28, 2015, 09:44:36 AM »

Finally got most of the casting and such done, now on to final assembly. And regarding my basement, its not all that much- just the result of becoming a widower with an empty house to rattle around in.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #18 on:** June 05, 2015, 04:13:41 PM »

More progress.

Kerick · « **Reply #19 on:** June 05, 2015, 07:25:27 PM »

WOW! That is awesome! That needs to go on public display.

LemonJello · « **Reply #20 on:** June 05, 2015, 07:54:45 PM »

Looking sharp! This will be a stunner when it's all said and done.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2015, 03:05:28 AM »

Wow! Museum worthy!

stevegallacci · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2015, 12:52:07 PM »

More progress. The moon surface is made of Portland Cement on a layer of 3M -90 to stick it on a sheet of plexi, then additional cement and acrylic medium to wet the stuff down.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #23 on:** June 14, 2015, 04:12:57 AM »

What are the model/diorama dimensions Steve?

jcf · « **Reply #24 on:** June 14, 2015, 05:41:18 AM »

Steve had it at todays IPMS-Seattle meeting (alas I was unable to attend), Don Conrard posted
photos from the meeting to the group's public Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204464956326505&set=pcb.10152939089711616&type=1&theater

arkon · « **Reply #25 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:19:49 PM »

Moon ship is awesome, is that a paper tank?

jcf · « **Reply #26 on:** June 14, 2015, 01:51:47 PM »

Quote from: arkon on June 14, 2015, 01:19:49 PM

Moon ship is awesome, is that a paper tank?

Based on the handwriting of the note in front it's another one of Steve's projects and the material is
most likely plastic card.

BTW Google Steve Gallacci and enjoy what you find. :)

stevegallacci · « **Reply #27 on:** June 15, 2015, 09:51:13 AM »

The tank is a 1/16 scale Trumpeter PzkwIV H with a faked lower hull. I want to use the kit as a base for a Panzerjager IV/L70 but don't want to waste the upper hull, turret, and full interiour. So I'm going to use those parts for a diorama of a dug-in tank as pill box, as was done in the last weeks of WWII. The moon ship is about 18 in/46cm tall on a base that is 13 in/33cm square.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #28 on:** June 16, 2015, 04:26:35 AM »

Put a fork in it! Done!

Weaver · « **Reply #29 on:** June 16, 2015, 05:40:38 AM »

Splendid job - well done!

Frank3k · « **Reply #30 on:** June 16, 2015, 11:27:00 AM »

That is just stunningly beautiful! All the little details are just perfect - the mercury vapor coil is even at the focus of the mirror! You should photograph it from a lower angle (at "eye level") and photoshop it into an Apollo lunar surface shot.

elmayerle · « **Reply #31 on:** June 16, 2015, 12:32:28 PM »

Quote from: Frank3k on June 16, 2015, 11:27:00 AM

That is just stunningly beautiful! All the little details are just perfect - the mercury vapor coil is even at the focus of the mirror! You should photograph it from a lower angle (at "eye level") and photoshop it into an Apollo lunar surface shot.

Or on to a suitable Bonestell work if you can find a suitable moonscape without a ship.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #32 on:** June 16, 2015, 04:54:24 PM »

Damn fine work Steve! :)

elmayerle · « **Reply #33 on:** June 16, 2015, 07:36:23 PM »

Quote from: GTX_Admin on June 16, 2015, 04:54:24 PM

Damn fine work Steve! :)

Heartily seconded!!

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #34 on:** June 17, 2015, 10:00:01 AM »

really nice work

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #35 on:** June 25, 2015, 03:05:51 AM »

Yowsa did that ever finish up a treat! I really like how those yellow & red tanks contrast with the metal.

Pure eye-candy Steve!

Brian da Basher

stevegallacci · « **Reply #36 on:** June 26, 2015, 11:15:49 AM »

And now, there is the possiblity of a Mars mission too!

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #37 on:** June 27, 2015, 03:43:23 AM »

Quote from: stevegallacci on June 26, 2015, 11:15:49 AM

And now, there is the possiblity of a Mars mission too!

Oh, please tell more

stevegallacci · « **Reply #38 on:** June 27, 2015, 12:08:49 PM »

The customer really liked the moon ship and has inquired about a possible Mars glider lander. I'm recommending the 1956 book version, a more refined design and a bit smaller, only 37 inch wing span in the scale. Would use much of the same tank frame, tanks, and motors from the Moon ship.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #39 on:** June 28, 2015, 02:56:36 AM »

This one I presume:

Will be impressive.

Are you able to share who the client is? Will the models be on display anywhere?

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #40 on:** June 28, 2015, 03:26:44 AM »

BTW folks, here is a image (lower version) of the first craft that Steve has replicated in 3D so well:

stevegallacci · « **Reply #41 on:** June 29, 2015, 12:09:41 AM »

That is a meh bit of art for the book version, but, yes. I don't know exactly where these things go. I'm approached by the curator of collections for a big corporation. I don't ask and he doesn't tell.

stevegallacci · « **Reply #42 on:** July 23, 2015, 10:49:28 PM »

Fist steps on the 1952 Mars lander

uncle les · « **Reply #43 on:** September 07, 2015, 11:57:07 AM »

Now THAT's a model. Well done sir.


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Author Topic: 1952 von Braun and Freinds Moonship (Read 13788 times)