Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: Frank3k on June 18, 2018, 07:46:51 AM

Title: Convair NEV
Post by: Frank3k on June 18, 2018, 07:46:51 AM
This is the new(ish) Moebius 1/144 Convair NEV (Nuclear Exploratory Vehicle). This is not a re-pop of the old Strombecker kit, but completely new molds. It's pretty simple to build and the thick pins and attachment points almost make it a snap-tite kit. It's also very long and heavy - the kit parts are very thick.

I left the engine, connecting spine and crew module unglued, for easier painting and transport.

The kit seemed pretty bare, so I printed a radiation shield for the engine and a small manned pod.

With boxtop:
(https://i.imgur.com/RGsYFOw.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/43EoB33.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PS5qaFS.jpg)

NERVA mod-2 engine detail with the radiation shield:
(https://i.imgur.com/NAu6L1p.jpg)

The astronaut is from a 1/144 Mecha "Mobile Staff" from Wave. The tether is some ABS that I squeezed out of the printer to clean the head after changing filaments. The pod is 3D printed. The canopy is a piece of clear sprue. The engines are from one of the Mercury capsules in the AMT 1/200 US Man in Space set. I bought the first re-release of the kit and it was cheap, so I didn't mind using it for parts... it's apparently both rare and expensive.

(https://i.imgur.com/RmDNmoz.jpg)

Another view:
(https://i.imgur.com/E7UM7z1.jpg)

The pod is pretty basic - front and rear rounded caps, cylindrical body with a bump for the pilot and a docking tube underneath. I printed it in ABS and smoothed it with Acetone vapors. Some sanding removed all the print artifacts.

The decals are from random kits. The UNITED STATES is from the Monogram re-pop of the 1/48 Space Taxi. It's yellowed, but I like the effect.
The paint is Badger Stynylrez aluminum primer, with some panels in Vallejo Metallics. The tank caps are a mix of  Badger Stynylrez white and gray primers.

Thanks for looking!
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: Brian da Basher on June 18, 2018, 09:21:40 AM
You've got a real talent for space vehicles, Frank!

It's a treat to see one of these built but I've never seen one done finer!

The shield in back is a great addition and I really like the astronaut.

Brian da Basher
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: The Big Gimper on June 18, 2018, 09:29:44 AM
Excellent work Frank. Appreciate the build narrative and the bill of materials.

I'll meet you out by Ceres say in 6 months?
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: Jeffry Fontaine on June 18, 2018, 12:10:12 PM
Nice work Frank!  Your tether solution was a great idea for solving the tether issue. 
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: elmayerle on June 18, 2018, 01:16:22 PM
Beautiful!! 
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 19, 2018, 01:10:26 AM
 :smiley:
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: Camthalion on June 19, 2018, 05:35:29 AM
very nice
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: Frank3k on June 19, 2018, 07:24:43 AM
Thanks for the comments, guys! This wasn't a difficult build and it was fun. If the kit were cheaper, I'd buy more for parts.

A quick calculation online shows that it would take around 60-90 days to get to Mars in a Hohmann transfer orbit, maybe twice that long to get to Ceres. You have to be a dedicated astronaut to be willing to spend all that time in a fairly small crew module just to visit some smelly Belters!
Title: Re: Convair NEV
Post by: Dr. YoKai on June 20, 2018, 07:16:21 AM
Good looking build - the Gundam pilot astronaut and the pod are nice touches, too. It does have a pretty modest cabin for the type of ship, doesn't it. ??? Hop we'll continue to see more kits from the Colliers era...