**Picture Heavy** 1:96 Buran-Energia, 1:96 US Shuttle and 1:48 Greelt F1 Engine

[roryevans]

This is my first post on Zealot so hello.

I started to build the excellent 1:96 scale Buran orbiter from Leo Cherkashyn about a year ago, but only finished it last month. Having finished the orbiter though and with a set of discworld audio books to get through, I decided to build the Energia Launcher. A fortnight later I was done. I really like the completed pair, really well designed. I love some of the fiddly details on the energia, around where the zenit boosters attach. I plan to try and find some form of base, either a scratch built pad, or smart wooden block, possibly with plaque, for some display.

I'll add the other models in seperate posts to organise a little easier.

 

[roryevans]

Once I had complete the buran-energia I decided that I really wanted the american shuttle to go alongside. I think that the russian one looks much cooler, but the shuttle is the one that I saw as a flash across the sky in orbit, and that I watched launch when I was younger. (I'm in uni now but remember the tail end of the shuttle program)

Leo's model is in 1:96 scale, so I wanted a shuttle model to match. I didn't find many options at the size and considered a slightly re scaled version of the fortrezza shuttle, but didn't want to build another complicated model right after the buran-energia. Instead I decided to rescale Alfonso X. Moreno's 1:144 shuttle in photoshop, to get the right sized model. As his website includes some great resources on all the missions flown I was free to choose which I wanted to build. As I planed to build the fortrezza shuttle with a detailed orange stack in the future I decided to go for the distinctive white stack of the sts-001 colombia launch.

This model isnt as detailed as the buran-energia at 1:144, and I also didnt do all of the detail that was designed, but it does give a great comparison. The orbiter is stuck to the stack on this model however. I don't know if I will build any display for this one, as I said before I plan to later build a very detailed version of the shuttle from the fortrezza 1:100 model in the future, which will be my display model.

Next up, Greelt F1 Engine

 

[roryevans]

Having finished these two models I decided to try something else. Making those wings is stressfull! I really like the work that Greelt did on his F1 engine from the Saturn V, so decided to give that a shot as it's a little smaller and makes a great display piece. I got it from the great webpage here. I've built the main engine so far, but plan to add to this by creating a trolley type display which will hold the finished engine more horizontal than the display base from Greelt. I think that the vertical display obscures too much of the pipework and the struts. The last photo shows the begining of my trolley mock up. I have built some I beams by supergluing thin strips into the right profile. From this I am constructing the frame which will prop the engine up as shows, which is currently achieved by a strategically placed model clamp. The finished trolley will support the engine at the gimble and possibly by the wrap around exhaust shroud.

I think when the trolley design is finalised I might build it from yellow, to match the museum piece here. I think I need to add more bulk to the trolley.

Once that is done I'm not entirely sure what to tackle next. I feel that the full 1:48 Saturn V is a bit to big for my student room to handle, but like the idea of a large detailed model. I think that I might try and design something, currently I'm leaning to wards a V2 rocket. There's lots of information about the rocket so I think I might be able to design a cutaway version a bit like the uhu02 models. That's just an idea for the time being. I may also try the proton M or K from Leo's site.

If anybody has any criticisms or praise for my models then I'd love to hear it.
-Rory

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You have done a GREAT JOB on all three projects!!!
Everything looks CLEAN & CRISP!!!
KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!

 

[roryevans]

Thanks Rhaven Blaack,

Today I played around with a bit of model building. Somebody wanted a globe of the plant from kerbal space program, so I made a papercraft Kerbin. Using a kerbin texture map I put it onto a globe in blender and unfolded in pepakura to make the model.

 

[Revell-Fan]

That is absolutely cool! The shuttles and the engine are really great display pieces. Very well done!

 

[Neon Neuron]

The Russian really does look cooler...But, both models are a work of art. Very good craftsmanship. There is not enough time in the day!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

That is a cool little globe!
Is it something that you are going to use just for personal use, or are you thinking of releasing it?
If you are thinking of releasing it, You are more than welcome to upload the template to the RESOURCE Section. You will have full control over it. If you wish, you can take it down when ever you wish as well.

 

[bgt01]

These are great models. Seeing yours makes me want to build one of my own! Keep up the great work.

 

[inky]

Your work is outstanding, very clean and crisp. Can't wait to see more.