Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Scifi and Fantasy => Topic started by: Frank3k on February 01, 2025, 07:08:04 AM
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The 1961 Grumman Moon Suit designed by Allyn "Hap" Hazard has always been a favorite of mine:
(https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NINTCHDBPICT000506126148.jpg)
(https://i.pinimg.com/736x/4d/4b/f6/4d4bf6444cd0229013bdc559e44c7824.jpg)
I even had the Maj. Matt Mason toy version:
(https://6533-43952.el-alt.com/images/items/Major-Matt-Man-In-Space-Mason-Basic-Series-Major-Matt-Mason-With%20Moon-Suit-1966-Mattel-Action-Figure.jpg)
I tried making a 3D printed 1/35 scale version a few years ago, but the helmet supports were a constant point of failure, so I put the design on hold until I had a better printer or could work out a better design. I did save a bag full of parts:
(https://i.imgur.com/cNGF4nL.jpeg)
There was a guy in Japan that was making 1/35 versions of this suit, but I never got one.
After many, many years of promises, Monarch Models recently released a 1/10 scale version of the suit:
(https://www.scalemates.com/products/img/2/2/5/1479225-10244-86-pristine.jpg)
It says 1/8 on the Scalemates box but 1/10 elsewhere but it seems bigger. It's a fairly nice kit with a Russian satellite (which I didn't use) and a "space worm" (ditto). It comes with a large flag and a single UV "decal" for the #8 (or 3, with some cutting). The kit can be pressed together, but I glued it. Some of the issues I encountered (seams that wouldn't go away) were in part due to the huge press pins distorting the plastic slightly.
Here are the main parts:
(https://i.imgur.com/YfryYn5.jpeg)
The only change I made was adding some Procreate putty between the shoulders and the arms, since there was a gap. Probably not needed since much of the interior is hard to see. My one huge screwup was with the "decal". They tell you to remove the backing and rub it against the surface to make sure it sticks. I removed the backing and lined up the decal edge with the bottom of the chest window when I realized that the 8 was upside down. I was about to remove it when static (or just the movement) sucked the decal against the body... and it was on, permanently.
Doh!:
(https://i.imgur.com/KIV1mow.jpeg)
Close-up of the face. I did a good job on the crew cut... but it isn't visible. I used blue iris decals on the eyes and gave him a 5 o'clock shadow:
(https://i.imgur.com/XFVPIuc.jpeg)
I drilled a couple of holes in the flag pole and used some copper solid wire to hold the flag in place, The upside down 8 is annoying...
(https://i.imgur.com/oki5dX7.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/G5ihwrP.jpeg)
I drilled a hole for a 20mm M4 screw through the figure's left foot and through the attachment joint in the base. I didn't think it would stay in that precarious stance with just glue. I added some rocks and clean kitty litter to the surface as well"
(https://i.imgur.com/Ufu4iOH.jpeg)
I'm going to "borrow" some of the design ideas for my 1/35 scale version.
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Definitely got room for snacks and beverages around the periphery of that moon suit plus the ability to crack open a cold one without having to worry about suit compromise. :smiley:
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Nice one Frank. Your work on the face and 5 o'clock shadow is excellent.
Although, everytime I see suits like this, I then see it rolling uncontrollably down hill after a small stumble.
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Yes, definitely a 'roomy' fit ;D Excellent job on the painting, Frank :smiley:
...The upside down 8 is annoying...
Actually, I think that the '8' balances better upside down ... it sort of tucks in between the details on the suit.
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Yes, definitely a 'roomy' fit ;D Excellent job on the painting, Frank :smiley:
...The upside down 8 is annoying...
Actually, I think that the '8' balances better upside down ... it sort of tucks in between the details on the suit.
Agreed. The upside down '8' does work better in this case. You can also claim it is a new type font style if need be. :smiley:
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The ring just below the panoramic helmet section is probably to keep sharp rocks from puncturing the glass and to make it easier for the astronaut to get back up; otherwise the guy's legs would be up in the air (or vacuum). Here are some pictures of the suit at UCLA in the early 60s:
https://paleofuture.com/blog/2009/6/28/a-suit-for-the-first-man-on-the-moon-1961.html
(https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c647bc99b7d150fe925ea5c/1550855557607-QW6AUQFT9OJQZXVOHUUQ/1961+Aug+6+Post-Standard+-+Syracuse+NY+sm.jpg?format=2500w)
In some of the pictures I've seen, the butt window is blanked off. One less piece of glass to break.
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Excellent job on the head, Frank! 8)
I would have found something fun for the "space (Moon?) worm" to be doing. ;)
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:smiley:
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:smiley: breeds ideas for Humpty-Dumpty or maybe "Exterminate ! Exterminate !"
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Looks good, the work on the face is outstanding. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
Mog
>^-.-^<
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Thanks, guys. I was going to put more effeort into the face, but it's not very visible through the helmet windows (they're very clear, but they generate quote a shadow). I also added buckles to the shoulder harnesses, but they're barely visible.
This may have been an inspiration for the suit:
(https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/man-wearing-barrel-580115.jpg)