AXM's SHUTTLE M.L.P Build 1/96

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All,

I thought I would share with you guys my latest build:AXM's Shuttle Mobile Launch Platform resized to 1/96.
It is to go with my STS117 Atlantis & Crawler Transporter upcoming builds.
Photo 1:Shows the internal structure all finished and is made from 5mm Foamboard.Dimensions at 1/96 are 500mm x 425mm x 83mm
Photo 2:SRB and Shuttle Main Engine Exhaust holes made and ready to be installed.
Photo 3:Underside view of Exhaust holes fitted
Photo 4:Top view of Exhaust holes fitted

Next up:Sides!!!

Wayne

[George B]

There it is!! Nice clean build Wayne.

[Nando]

Very beautifull build londonbluemisty and very interesting way.
In the past I looked for how to build something strong but light in the same time and I thought to use a polystyrene sheet glued between two cardboard sheet, like a sandwich panel, and now You confirm me with Your technique.

But 1/96 is too big for me ....

Nando

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All

Trying to get a bit fo depth to the beam ribbing on the sides as per photo!!
After printing the sides,I have then seperated the beam ribbing (with Adobe Illustrator) and printed those onto 220gsm cardstock
Test placement adds a bit of depth,which is what I wanted to achieve..
I have also seperated the doors(hatches) and a few other elements and printed those onto 220gsm to add more depth to the sides.
Next up:Fitting sides

Wayne

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All

Finished the MLP sides,I am quite pleased how they have turned out.
Slowly starting to look like the MLP now!!
A big THANK-YOU goes out to George B for telling me about 3M 77 spray adhesive
I never would of been able to get the same finish if I had tried to laminate the Beam Ribbing with PVA glue.

Next up:MLP Bottom Floor

Wayne

Looking good, nice job with the frame work on the sides.

Don't forget though that the SRB hole pipes arn't finished, the links don't work for the them. I'm not sure if they are to be added later. If Alfonso is looking in, he will let you know if the hole pipes are done or not.

[londonbluemisty]

Originally Posted by paulhbell

Don't forget though that the SRB hole pipes arn't finished, the links don't work for the them. I'm not sure if they are to be added later. If Alfonso is looking in, he will let you know if the hole pipes are done or not.

Hi Paul
Hopefully SIR Alfonso will have released the SRB water pipes and Top handrails by the time I need to fit them
If not,I will have to design them myself.
Currently making the LOX & LH2 pipework for side1.As you can see from the previous photo of side 1 I have removed all the drawn pipework, so I can continue the pipework from sides2&4.

Wayne

[AXM61]

Hi Wayne (londonbluemisty),

Congratulations for the excellent work so far. You and George are now the experts in building these "toys" at this scale. I always check the threads on this forum and I had to stop and look at this one. I'm really enjoying it.
Paul is right, my MLP is not finished. As you all know, I'm very busy designing my ISS version and I know that very soon I need to get back and finish that MLP. The SRB holes need the Water Suppression system and railings on the top floor. I cannot promise how soon I'll do this though. Is you look closely at the photo on my main page, I put a draft pipe system on top of the SRB holes. That was made of wire covered with cardboard with the same color as the MLP floor. But that still needs a little more work.
Well, keep up the good work.
Take care all,

Alfonso

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All
Using a printout of side1 as a template,I am continuing to make the pipework.
Shame most of it will be hidden between the decking and roof structures!!!!

Wayne

[George B]

It sure is taking shape!.....looking forward to seeing those sides installed.

George

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All

Finished the bottom of the MLP.
Credit to SIR Alfonso the exhaust holes were a perfect fit even after rescaling to 1/96.

Next up:MLP Top flooring & Blast deck

Wayne

[londonbluemisty]

Hi to All

I have finished the Water Supressors.
I noticed that SIR Alfonso has designed them with flat tops(Arrowed)
but I noticed on pictures that they have angled tops(about 45').
I reprinted them and reduced the rear portion by 3mm to get the desired angle.
Next up:Mlp Deck

Wayne

[George B]

Hey Wayne,

That first photo of the real one looks like it's flat....maybe it's just the angle.
-G

[londonbluemisty]

Hi George

I must admit it does look flat in the first photo!!
Doublechecked my research and they all look angled
A few photos of STS117's rollout from different angles.

Wayne

[AXM61]

Hi to all,

Wayne, you are doing a heck of a job here. Looks great.
I just want to jump in and say that when I was designing the crawler and MLP, I wanted to make it simple. You all are free to make corrections based on real photos just as George did when building the crawler. He made it more accurate than mine. The same thing here with Wayne. I admit, yes it looks like there is a little angle but in my case and because of the 1:144 scale I did not worried much about it, so I decided to make it flat. Guys, I'm not perfect.
Keep the good work because this build is looking great.
Just seeing my stuff being built by others is an honor for me. But don't fight.

Alfonso