Author Topic: Small satellite launcher  (Read 5764 times)

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Small satellite launcher
« on: April 24, 2019, 08:02:36 AM »
I found a Tamiya 1/350th Navy aircraft set in my stash. I pulled out two S-3 Vikings and with a little inspiration from Tophe, Stratolaunch and White Knight I came up with this small satellite launcher. Not sure if I want to make it NASA, Navy or private company yet.











First coat of white so far. The satellite launcher is a 1/72nd rocket from the spare parts box. Just something quick and easy to provide a break from the RF-23 build. Maybe this idea could turn into something bigger some day.

Offline GTX_Admin

  • Evil Administrator bent on taking over the Universe!
  • Administrator - Yep, I'm the one to blame for this place.
  • Whiffing Demi-God!
    • Beyond the Sprues
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #1 on: April 25, 2019, 02:43:58 AM »
 :smiley:
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #2 on: April 25, 2019, 03:20:23 AM »
Tried to spray on another coat of white today. FAIL!! Now it just looks lumpy but still has grey showing through! White is simply impossible to paint unless the model is made from white plastic. I should have just gone with silver or grey. Not a big deal but still frustrating. I might make another as it’s too big of a pita to strip.

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #3 on: April 25, 2019, 06:01:58 AM »
Ouch sorry to hear about your paint issues. White can be the most challenging color, even worse than the Dreaded Yellow sometimes.

What little knowledge I have extends only to brush-painting acrylics so I'm afraid I can't offer much help beyond suggesting a good model wash & primer coat although I'm notoriously lazy in both regards.

I hear over cleaner or brake fluid work for stripping paint and since your delightful model is so small, maybe that's an option?

Great concept which I'm sure we've not seen the last of!

Brian da Basher

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #4 on: April 25, 2019, 12:10:20 PM »
Well, I tossed it into some Simple Green for the night to see what happens. Maybe some light grey or silver will come out better.

Offline Robomog

  • ...had a very bad experience with [an] orange...
  • Would you buy a used kit from this man?
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #5 on: April 25, 2019, 04:13:10 PM »
Neat concept, agree with Brian white and yellow difficult to brush paint,  I tend to whimp out and use rattle cans for those colours.

Mog
>^-.-^<
Mostly Harmless...............

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #6 on: April 25, 2019, 05:38:04 PM »
I always use Tamiya Fine Primer (White) for the white on my models over a coat of (usually) Tamiya Fine Primer (Light Grey). I find the grey primer grips the plastic better & coats more smoothly, then the white goes over that really nicely.
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #7 on: April 25, 2019, 10:21:10 PM »
That's a really good idea, I'm going to try that.

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2019, 06:26:54 AM »
I hear great things about Tamiya White Primer spray bombs and even have one around here somewhere.

I hope I find it before it goes off...   :o

Brian da Basher

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2019, 07:07:25 AM »
Ohhh, flat white everywhere! A new form of interior decorating!
I would have mail order Tamiya paints where I live. Is there a suitable substitute?
The model is still soaking in Simple Green. Most of it scrubbed off this morning but some was still being stubborn.

Offline Some Duck with an Ultimax

  • Now known as "Ducky"
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #10 on: April 26, 2019, 04:09:43 PM »
I use games workshop white primer, it’s pretty good but does take a few coats to build up.
Never trust a man who tells you that you have too many paints, for he is obviously a liar and will most likely try to deceive you again in future.

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2019, 08:49:38 AM »
I removed all the white paint after soaking in Simple Green 24 hours. Managed to break of only three out of four main landing gear legs. Replaced one set with the legs from the sprue I grabbed the extra engines from. I'll live with a three legged model. Back to square 0 on painting.
On another forum a member suggested World Navy from Thunderbirds. Lots of crazy paint schemes there! I'm looking at dark grey with red touches.

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2019, 09:57:50 AM »
Being a frequent painting disasters flyer, you have my sympathy.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2019, 10:13:45 AM by finsrin »

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2019, 12:19:00 PM »
Painted dark grey overall for a World Navy scheme. Might as well go all the way with this whiff!  :o 8)



Painted details and the vertical stab silver. I'll let this dry and apply some red in the morning.



It doesn't show up well in this pic due to the light. Better pics tomorrow.  :icon_sleep:

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2019, 10:08:22 PM »
Oohhhh I think that paint mishap was what Bob Ross called a "happy accident".

I like the look of this scheme, most eye-catching!

Brian da Basher


Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #15 on: April 29, 2019, 02:07:22 AM »
Thanks!
It needs a couple decals that say “World Navy”.

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #16 on: April 29, 2019, 04:46:09 AM »
Some red touches. It looks more "Thunderbirds" now.


Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #17 on: April 29, 2019, 04:57:08 AM »
Build is on a roll now.  Keep going.  Waiting for next picture(s).

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #18 on: April 29, 2019, 09:48:15 AM »
I'm calling this one done. A little touch of black on the radome, cockpit and tires. Unless someone has some tiny white NAVY decals.



A US penny and a Canadian $2 coin for size comparison.





Next to a 1/72nd scale Pitts Special just for fun.



I have enough parts for another one if I decide on different markings. Plus the rest of the navy aircraft on these sprues. Thanks for all the nice comments!
This could fit in the Beast of Burden GB. If the mods agree feel free to move it. I just didn't think of it when I started as I never finish in time for a GB.

Offline Brian da Basher

  • He has an unnatural attraction to Spats...and a growing fascination with airships!
  • Moderator
  • *
  • Hulk smash, Brian bash
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #19 on: September 19, 2019, 04:28:31 AM »
 :smiley:

Brian da Basher

Offline elmayerle

  • Its about time there was an Avatar shown here...
  • Über Engineer...at least that is what he tells us.
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #20 on: September 19, 2019, 07:41:39 AM »
Such a gorgeous little aircraft.  Beautiful job!!

Offline The Big Gimper

  • Any model will look better in RCAF, SEAC or FAA markings
  • Global Moderator
  • Cut. Cut. Cut. Measure. Cut. Cut. Crap. Toss.
    • Photobucket Modeling Album
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #21 on: September 19, 2019, 08:00:31 AM »
Nice Twoonie!  ;)

What I mean this is cool idea and build Ken.
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

User and abuser of Bothans...

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #22 on: September 19, 2019, 08:35:10 AM »
Thanks!

Offline finsrin

  • The Dr Frankenstein of the modelling world...when not hiding from SBA
  • Finds part glues it on, finds part glues it on....
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #23 on: September 19, 2019, 04:33:08 PM »
Paint scheme worked.  Slanted red on tail is neat touch.
Creative concept and creative use of 1/350  :smiley:

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: Small satellite launcher
« Reply #24 on: September 19, 2019, 07:33:49 PM »
Thanks to all! Definitely the smallest whiff I’ve ever done!