Falcon 9 v 1.1 (5) - Finished

Here's the last part of the Falcon 9 1.1 build.
The only thing remaining was the cap on the top of the Dragon capsule and that has been finished today. The fit was a little loose, but that also might be caused by my tinkering. I wanted the cap to be able to taken off off the docking collar. And with some TLC, in the end it all fitted reasonably well.

Falcon 9 1.1 among its colleagues. Note how extremely long and thin it is.

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Falcon 9 v 1.1 (4)

Onwards and upwards we go.
Back to where we left the long pencil rocket called Falcon 9.
Lots of progress made today and yesterday. Great to have a little spare time for the hobby. What did PK do? Well, for a start he put on some clamps for keeping the second stage in place. It needs to be said that in Alfonso's original model there is no separable second stage or Dragon. So I had to cut the clamps in half. I also did all the engines and because all posts up til now had the engines as front post pic, I'll do the same here.
More, lots more! after the jump.

Wrâldsein - an inbetweenie of some sort

Let's start this post with some marginal history: In the late 1800s, the Dutch government decided on building five types of generic train station buildings all over the country. They were divided into classes, in which 1 was the largest and 5 the smallest. And although they were standardized, they all still had their own special features and shapes.

A classic example of a Waterstaat class 5 station: Kapelle-Biezelinge. photo: Wikimedia Commons

Waterstaat klasse 5 stations were small, had a central two or three floor building and two small wings. Some had an added single floor building on the left side and some also one on the right. Most of them are either demolished or rigorously changed. There are only a few originals left. I really think they look very pretty. I'd love to live in one.

I found a small model of it online and ordered it. I scanned it and reduced it to 50% of its original size. I wanted to build a generic one, not an existing station but something imaginary out of a time long ago.

After the jump, you'll find the build, a PK's blog exclusive!

Apollo Command Module 1/12 is released!

The long awaited 1/12 Apollo CM paper model designed by Ken West finally has been released. It's the Block II version of the spacecraft with full interior, Boost Proctective Cover, Launch Escape System and it is also able to be taken apart to show the insides.

left to right: LES/BPC, Outer skin, pressure vessel, couches and heat shield.
Photo made by Peter van Dijk

This huge model kit has almost 130 pages of parts to offer. Over at Papermodelers a two-year thread bears witness of the long and elaborate process of designing and testbuilding the capsule. Billy Leliveld's testbuild showed an extraordinarily fine detailed interior with added chrome paper parts, finger guards for the switches on the control panel and even interior lighting. The capsule's hatch is a little model kit in itself. It is wonderfully detailed with all the latches and handles. It can be displayed in an open or closed position but has no working hinges.

The outer skin of the capsule was made from chrome coated paper.
Photo made by Peter van Dijk

The model now is downloadable for $18 over at Ecardmodels. For that price you'll be kept busy for at least a year, is my guess! Difficulty: 5/5 so not for the faint hearted and beginners. This is really a very very elaborate model. Every little switch is there.

Look how this one sublimely imitates the harsh unfiltered sunlight like it looks in outer space. The couches are removed in this picture and you are looking "up" into the tunnel between the Command Module and the LM. In the upper right and left corner you can see two of the working cabin lights Billy Leliveld added to his version. Hard to see on this photo but all the switches have finger guards!
Photo made by Peter van Dijk

But look at this beauty, Just look at it. This is what makes paper modeling so much better than plastic kits. The details. The size. The price. The fact you can make another one. And maybe try it in say, 1/24 or even 1/35.
For me, this is one of the best models that has ever been released. I'll be starting it soon. Promise.

Photo made by Peter van Dijk

Falcon 9 v 1.1 (3)

Amazing how time consuming small parts can be. Two engines and an engine base, one and a half hour. Not much but hey, it is keeping on going further. That's a good thing.
Here is a picture of engine number three. Some more of the rest after the break.

Falcon 9 v 1.1 (2)

Small progress. Several reasons I won't tire you with. Mainly work. And the summer heat. Oh shoot. Now I did tire you anyway. (-;
Anyway, like I said, small progress. I mainly did some detailing on the hull of the rocket and I made another engine. The second stage also is in a state of coming to be. All in all an enjoyable build. Tomorrow morning I hope to do some more.
Compared to tje previous appearance of the Falcon9, this one is really loooooong. Someone at the PaperModelers forum used the word pencil-rocket for these versions. And they really look like pencils. Sleek, very long and a pointy top. All made possible due to gimballing engines. Like balancing a broom on your fingertip, they move to keep the rocket go up straight.

Nothing much further to add in text though. I think the photos speak for themselves. More after the jump, as usual.