Hello everyone. My latest build is
the Monogram 1/48 Grumman Lunar Module. I chose to build the 'H' series version
of the spacecraft designated LM-5, also known as the 'Eagle'. As a young boy
growing up during the 60's and early 70's I was fascinated by the space program
and it's hardware, especially the LM. I've always wanted to build a model of the
worlds first 'pure' spacecraft. After some searching on ebay, I was able to
purchase the kit for a very reasonable price.
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I began assembly
with the descent stage (the lower octagonally shaped section of the
spacecraft). The kit comes with gold foil to simulate the mylar used as
thermal shielding on this section of the spacecraft. I chose to use gold mylar
gift wrap instead. It was more difficult to work with, but I think it
produces a more accurate appearance. The landing gear was covered with gold bare
metal foil, then detailed with adhesive backed aluminum foil. The flat black areas
are painted pieces of mylar, cut to the proper shape and attached with spray
on adhesive.
Assembly of the
ascent stage began by painting all the large pieces Model Master flat
black. The natural metal areas are aluminum foil backed with spray adhesive and
burnished down with various homemade tools (an old credit card and a wooden meat
skewer). The rivet detail on the aluminum was done with the tip of a pointy
file. All the antennas were modified/detailed with spare parts and stretched
sprue. The docking window above the commanders position was missing, so I cut it
out and filled it in with Micro Crystal Clear and Future floor
polish. I
also drilled out all the RCS thruster quad nozzles (although the edges still
appear far too thick). The last step was to apply the decals to the descent
stage. After the photographs were taken, I remembers to add the EVA handrail that
runs from the bottom of the ingress/egress hatch to the top of the ascent stage
between the rendezvous radar antenna and the docking window.
This was a
really satisfying project. The overall appearance isn't too bad (although I
could have spent more time refining some areas) and it was a nice change
from modeling aircraft. I hope you like it.
Vince
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