Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: stevegallacci on March 05, 2014, 03:04:07 PM
-
MPC has re-released their old (1970s) Titan III and Vostok kits, originally as either flying rockets or static display models. They were kind of basic, but not bad actually, the Vostok was in 1/100 scale, a nice middle size build, and could be a Sputnik 1 or Vostok 1 launcher. The Titan III, though claiming to be 1/100 scale, was actually closer to 1/120, with the complication that the Titan core was a bit over-size in diameter where it should be actually just the tiniest fraction smaller in diameter than the solid strap-ons.
The re-releases don't have the flying option, but are other wise pretty much the same as the original.
Since I can't resist the chance to do something other than out of the box, I'm building the Vostok as a Soyuz launcher, and more relevant to this site, the Titan III in its original intended role as the launcher for the X-20 Dyna-Soar. So all I have to do is scratch build the X-20 and adapter. So here is where things pretty much stand. The X-20 is built-up out of bass wood, the elements soaked in thin CA glue to have a hard, easier to finish surface, as is the adapter. I'll be casting the new parts, and can do copies if anyone is interested.
-
Looks really good Steve, hope to have the chance to see it when you bring it by Emil's to show it off.
-
Yeah, I'll be bringing it by as it progresses. You can email or call (206-280-6740) for a rendezvous.
-
You're off to a wizard start, Steve! This one's going to be fun to watch!
Amazing work on the X-20 & connector, too!
Brian da Basher
-
Brilliant start, I look forward to some more of this build!! 8)
-
Looking good.
-
Steve, the X-20/Titan is one of those projects that I would love to do. PM inbound!
-
That looks absolutely gorgeous so far. I'm having to resist the temptation to buy two and do one this way and the other as a MOL launch.
-
Doing the MOL was going to be my next build, but that has been tempered by the kit's inaccuracies, mainly the over-diameter Titan core, which throws off the look of things. On the other hand. if the kit were re-considered as a 1/110 scale model, stretching the core length to compensate, and making replacement strap-ons (without the over-done field joints) that would be useful. And if I did a 1/110 scale X-20, everything would match up nicely. I'll likely do a 1/100 Titan family eventually to go with the Vostok, as well as accurized parts for the Vostok. But for now, as fun builds, the OOB build is just fine.
-
Up date. I've stared casting resin copies of the X-20 in 1/120 scale and adapter for the stock MPC kit Titan core. The kit Titan is 1/10 inch/2.5mm over diameter for those who care.
-
An additional thing I've started is making patterns for an improved 1/200 Titan family to go with with the old 1/200 man in space kit set. The smaller subjects, Titan, Atlas, and Jupiter are kind of small, as will the Vostok/Soyuz that I'll also pattern, but I'm going with the scale so that that the N1 and Nova variants won't be too unwieldy big.
-
X-20 done. This is a resin copy of the machine and the adapter I've cast up for the Titan III. I've dona a batch of them and have them available for $25 including CONUS mail.
-
Looking good Steve. Will you be bringing that to the show on Saturday?
-
Since I'll be driving "Miss Daisy", Wayne Fiomigo, I can't really commit to doing much at the show, as he is old and frail and may need to go back home early. I've volinteered to do judging, but even that is a risk. Trying to bring models to display, not knowing if I'd need to immediatly turn around and leave, just isn't worth it.
-
No problem Steve, always good to see you with or without models in hand :)
-
Here's a snap of the complete stack.
The Titan is purely out of the box, no modifications of the sometimes chunky kit parts. Most of the roll stripes and panels are decal material instead of trying to mask and paint.
-
I like the look of 'er!
Nice work, Steve!
Brian da Basher