Collier’s Ferry Rocket (1952)

Nando

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First a test with a true mirror to determine the correct height of the MLP

FerryRocket001_20170702_172019.jpg

After some rework for the angular columns, I frozen this version

FerryRocket001_20170702_1739.jpg FerryRocket001_20170702_1741.jpg

Pepakura and Inkscape

FerryRocket001_20170702_1758.jpg FerryRocket001_20170702_1851.jpg

The ramparts

FerryRocket001_20170702_204034.jpg
The first angular pillar with some workaround

FerryRocket001_20170702_220544.jpg

Just a dry fit

FerryRocket001_20170702_220711.jpg FerryRocket001_20170702_220817.jpg FerryRocket001_20170702_221132.jpg

I have to return to the drawing bench, to correct the mistakes and improve the design.

The project will be in hold for some week, I will be busy with something else, but the project is still running, slowly but running.

Best, Nando :)
 

zathros

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Looks like the end in in sight! She's coming along wonderfully. ;)
 
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Nando

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Oct 5, 2006
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Hi to all, I'm back.
I worked first on the angular pillar, improving the original design after some prototype.
Here the sequence assemblage.

FerryRocket001_20170831_180658.jpg FerryRocket001_20170831_182038.jpg FerryRocket001_20170831_194330.jpg

But when i put the pillars on the rampart i saw a big problem with the marks.

FerryRocket001_20170904_093533.jpg

May be that is due by the way I designed the platform and so the dimensions in the Sketchup project doesn't fit the real piece.
But at this point I didn't want to redesign the platform, so i did new marks on the ramparts, more faint and slight moved, according with the real dimensions of the platform.

I had another problem with the weakness of the base of the ramparts. I glued the base on a sheet of paper sandwich and I redid the two new ramparts.


FerryRocket001_20170904_142551.jpg FerryRocket001_20170904_175357.jpg
I glued the pillars on the corners of the platform.

FerryRocket001_20170904_183808.jpg
Just a dry fit waiting for the mirror.


FerryRocket001_20170904_184458.jpg FerryRocket001_20170904_184543.jpg

I'm quite satisfied for the result, despite the difficulties I encountered. The solution was a workaround rather then a true correction, but I learned with the age to be more tolerant with my mistakes.

Next the second stage: aaaarrrghhhhh! 34 engines!

Best, Nando :)
 

Nando

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Oct 5, 2006
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Thanks Rhawen Blaack, Revell-Fan and Tonino.

The mirror has come, only a dry fit.

36229958974_8151819b36_b.jpg 36893913072_1f71cbd71a_b.jpg

The result is good for me! All the work I did on the engines of the first stage is clearly visible.

But there is another problem: now you can see the bottom of the MLP with the useful part number.

I have to draw a cover to put under and mask the bottom.

Best, Nando :)
 

zathros

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Nando, she's a beauty!! What a sight. Not sure if I like it more showing the individual sections, with all their technical bits showing, or as a once piece ship. Either way, you knocked this one way out of the park!!! :)
 
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Nando

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Since I do not want to rebuild the base, I thought I would apply an image to the bottom that could simulate the weathered bottom of the MLP.
I have designed, cut and applied the covers of the four sectors.

FerryRocket001_20170908_172653.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170908_180133.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170908_180619.jpg

But I have also corrected the files of the model so that those who will build it in the future will have the correct version.

FerryRocket001_20170908_193000.jpg
Here is the comparison "before and after".

Image3.jpg

Best, Nando :)
 
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zathros

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That looks excellent! :)
 

Nando

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Oct 5, 2006
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Hi to all, some news.

The last week was very productive, but the previous one was very terrible and i was very discouraged and a step away from abandon the model.
I fell in a dangerous loop when i started build, mistake, rectify, build again many times.
All started well, but any time I discovered something wrong and i had to correct and try again. Some error was very imbarassing. It seemed that I wasn't able to design, build this model.

Here the first steps and some of the build i tried.

FerryRocket001_20170913_170153.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170912_151518.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170914_155706.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170918_140842.jpg

But then this week all worked fine.

A lot of engines again.

FerryRocket001_20170919_193130.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170921_150602.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170922_095244.jpg

And here where i am.

FerryRocket001_20170922_095626.jpg
FerryRocket001_20170922_095746.jpg

Next the third stage.

Best, Nando :)
 

Tonino

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I understand very well your feelings, Nando.
You can't imagine how many times I trashed sub-assemblies that asked me hours of work for a very stupid error done while drawing...
I posted only very few of them here... :D

The best thing to do is to stop and have a nice walk in the park... if weather permits...

Your efforts were not made in vain: the second stage is beautiful...
thumbsup

PS... but... I notice only now: which mirror will show those more engines? ;)
 
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Rhaven Blaack

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You are doing a FANTASTIC JOB!!!
I fully understand making mistakes like this. I have to agree with @Tonino If you start seeing that you are making mistakes and getting frustrated, just stop, get up and walk away for a little while. Go have a drink, a snack, or do something to take your mind off from it for awhile. Then come back to it with a clear mind.
Once again, you are doing a FANTASTIC JOB!!
 
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spaceagent-9

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Been watching for a while. Fantastic job! Don't worry about mistakes, keep going, we all know what it's like to have to destroy mistake parts, and our hearts are sympathetic! This thing is going to go down in history when it's done!!
 
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zathros

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A Gantry would not be tooooo hard to make. It would make an awesome diorama. Tons of work though!! This model is quite a package!! :)
 
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Nando

Designer Extraordinaire
Oct 5, 2006
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Looking at some picture of the Collier's era, I thought that i could design a landing gear for who would like to reproduce the shuttle landed.

Here some picture of the landing gear prototype on the shuttle prototype.
My version will be the stack ready for the launch.



Best, Nando :)

Sorry but I can't upload any picture. You can see them at my album on Flickr
 
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