Space Shuttle Challenger STS-61-A/D-1 (AXM)

[firestarter83]

I decided to go back and build another shuttle (this will be #5 for me). I built all of the other ones before I joined here, so it will be nice to have a record of one of these coming together.
For Challenger, I decided to to the last successful mission STS-61-A/D-1. This was a unique mission as it was run by West Germany, and the largest crew (8) from launch until landing on a single spacecraft.

The payload is a modified version of AXM's available payloads taking some elements from his payware STS-90 and several other free payloads.
My only major edit was modifying the spacelab logos to match the actual mission.

Here is the start of the shuttle itself:

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

It looks like you are off to a great start!!!
I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out!!!

 

[Revell-Fan]

That looks very nice! Great to see an AXM shuttle being built. I'm highly tempted to make one, too.

 

[zathros]

Great progress!

 

[mijob]

Looking good from this side, keep on going posting those pictures

 

[micahrogers]

Great work so far, keep us updated.

 

[firestarter83]

Thanks guys! Got a little more work done during my lunch break and after work this afternoon.
The spacelab and MPESS (forgot to take some pictures of that build), are assembled and installed within the payload bay.
Flight deck windows also added. Starting to look a little more like a shuttle now!

 

[firestarter83]

A little more progress today.
OMS pods, payload bay doors, tail and Ku-band antenna all added.

 

[zathros]

Al those bits really make this model. Great job.!!

 

[firestarter83]

I agree, the details on this (and all of AXM's models) are very well done!

Added the Canadarm and it's supports as well as the body flap this afternoon, just need some engines and it will be good to go!

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

This is coming together nicely!!!

 

[Revell-Fan]

Beautiful!

 

[micahrogers]

Great work so far. I still get a chill whenever I think of that day in January....

 

[firestarter83]

Thanks again for all the nice comments!

I was too young at the time of the Challenger disaster to remember when it happened but I get chills too when ever I see the video of the last flight.
That was part of the reason why I wanted to do a different mission for my display model.

Got the engines all done today, was really happy with how it turned out.



This seems to be one of the models I most enjoy putting together.
And the updated group shot is proof of that!

 

[micahrogers]

I can never forget where I was, my ship was close enough that we recorded the debris impacts on the water with the sonar gear.

 

[micahrogers]

My friend was the nav chief, and he chould tell you the latitude and longitude where we were.

Edited twice for spelling... Grrtt

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Those look GREAT!!!

 

[mijob]

Good job. thumbsup

 

[zathros]

You're really god at putting these together, and it shows.