Saturn int-18 in resin and airfix parts at 1/144 conversion by martins models

[jetboy]

hi,Hi,its sunday aft,ive got a pretty clean bench,so i thought id start this variation/prototype of the saturn programme,though not built,it was certainly planned and theorised.The first thing i noticed is how close it is to the new NASA launchers it is,it would look to me as though if this had been launched in the 60,s,where would we have progressed to by now?,Thats another debate?.anyway as a starting point for this kit im using an old version saturn 5 which i have cannabalised bits for other builds,,,heres some pics,there is a few variations you can build of this,but the difference is in the strap on,s[i refuse to write that bit thankyou}sorry just talking to my self.As i said the difference is only in the amount of stages on the boosters and how many are added.im going for the largest version 4 boosters,7 stages...heres the bits and start..










the boosters,to be sanded and flattened and mated?





starting the boosters




im doing the largest version







these are the old Airfix parts im using....









got to cut the engines off first and put a new heatshield on






this is the resin heatshield and sea level j2 engines with battening on








so im starting by taking it apart,to get the engines out,but as its been pretty well glued for years,i need to saw it open..












engines out






enjoy,thanks for looking.....cheers Don

[GTX_Admin]

Had to look up the Saturn INT-18 to know what this was about.  Looking good. :)

[father ennis]

Very interesting !!!

[jetboy]

Hi a few more pics to get up to date,glad your liking the builds because i am enjoying building and showing you them?it gets a bit lonely in this lofty garrett?lol.....


right engines out,and tank top as well,as the kit has a resin one with more detail on than the Airfix one.





new resin heatshield/engine base






new resin tank top,with Airfix one






right starting to assemble the strap on boosters[why do i chortle,when i type strapon,one of lifes mystery,s]a lot of parts,a lot of sanding a lot of mating,its best done by hand.?












sod it,gone for a mechanical method?Dont try this at home...sort of advice/warning









one done three to go






scully approves





hope you like it so far,and thanks for the comments so far....cheers Don

[jetboy]

hello,heres a few more pics,...


still trying to finish the strap on,s













way hey all four done....










try and clean up the old seams,clean off the old glue etc..






heat shield on










new resin tank top in..





looking a bit more like it...






bit of paint on the internals









and a bit of paint on the strap ons....




some stripes to put on...






putting a few detailing stripes on...










one done....





three more to do...









getting towards the end....




cheers Don

[Brian da Basher]

That's coming along swimmingly, Don!

Brian da Basher

[jetboy]

Hi,heres a few more pics from last weekend,ive no camera at the moment,so cannot bring you up to today,though i will,?

so heres the build so far,nearly done.....


just some more tarting on the strap-on,s













clean up the heatshield for the J2 sea level engines....
















these are the extra strap on,fuel injectors ,for boosting power at individual engines?






ist engine,and plinth screw




got to put decals on before the strap ons,so just working out where they go?










just trying the strap on for size[why cant i type that without sniggering?]








etching a clean area for the strap on mounts








upper stage on,starting to look the biz?





cheers Don

[jetboy]

HI,SORRY FOR BORING YOU BUT,HERES THE PICS JUST ABOUT UP TO DATE,UNTIL MY NEW CAMERA IS CHARGED UP,HAVE A LOOK,AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK?...

so clearing some paint for the strap on bracket...





threes done....










last bit of detail,on these parts...




and ive drilled through one of the engines,for the base...






getting the base ready,heres the metal sleeving i use.....












getting tight fit on the plug










cheers Don

[jetboy]

Hi lastlot of pics.....


screw through base into plug





and sleeve ready







splash a bit of paint about,to hide the wood butchery?





rest of the main engines going on,with the central one with a scew for the base...








test fit on its stand,only three strapons yet?










just checking the payload area for size,










ok starting to look like it should,bit more work on the cm yet,and fourth strap on









ok next pics,will the finished model?,so thanks for looking,cheers Don

[elmayerle]

Beautiful!!  It looks like this one could be adapted to carry a large payload to LEO or a fairly decent one to GEO.

The payload to LEO might be a good way to start a space station.  Alternatively, it could deliver a slew of Brilliant Pebbles for a GPALS constellation.

[Brian da Basher]

I really like the duck I see in the background. It'd be cool to see him driving a lunar rover moon buggy.

Brian da Basher

[jetboy]

Hi brian,youve lost me on that one,what duck? cheers don

[Spey Phantom]

your sending Thunderbird 4 into space 
looks pretty good, when is the launchdate 

[jetboy]

Hi chaps,thanks for your comments,well heres the finished beast,hope you like....

































and you might notice in this one a sneaky shot of the nearly completed C3...





thanks for looking ,cheers Don......anyway you shouldn,t be looking at this,you should be building,drawing writing,beyond 46 stuff?

[GTX_Admin]

Well done. :)