Last Man on te Moon

[nando]

Hi to all, I'm back.

I found a nice astronaut model designed by Julius Perdana , recently published on its website (http://www.paper-replika.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4349:astronaut-papercraft-final-patterns&catid=39&Itemid=202021).

http://www.paper-replika.com/images/stories/instructions/Others/Astronaut/astronaut_papercraft_photo_2.jpg

I immediately saw the resemblance to a photograph of Gene Cernan during Apollo 17 mission and I decided to build it.

As I proceeded with the construction, I decided to add some details to make the model more similar.

Below the photograph of the model compared with the original and an illustration of the additions.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMFhIlvBvII/AAAAAAAABOU/o-qC9PdODxM/s800/Cernan001.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMFu1Ni2P1I/AAAAAAAABPw/9TSt_5sVAZI/s800/Cernan008AddOn.jpg

I designed the Camera Hasselblad by SketchUp.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMGKdJTwlnI/AAAAAAAABQY/6T0cER5ZBJo/s800/MyHasswlblad.jpg

More pictures can be found on my Web Albums (http://picasaweb.google.it/Ferdinando.Santandrea/Cernan?feat=directlink).

Enjoy,
Nando :D

[Dyna-Soar]

Very nice!

[2Kamser]

sooo cool looking, add one more and you can have Schmitt beside him ready to check some rocks :)

[Retired_for_now]

Great build and detailing - well done!

Yogi

[cgutzmer]

super build! thats gotta be one of my favorite figures now :)

[gamera]

Gonna brush on some lunar dust? :D

I'd like to scale one down to go with my LEM.

[nando]

Sorry for the delay, but I was busy outside ... :o

Very nice!

Thank You Dyna-Soar, but your Astronaut is nice too. And Yes, the NASA meatball was in the right shoulder (see the Cerna portrait)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMRfRWHo36I/AAAAAAAABS0/BgaE1erf54A/s800/AS17-140-21391HR-2.jpg

sooo cool looking, add one more and you can have Schmitt beside him ready to check some rocks

But the space suit of Schmitt wasn't so color full


super build! thats gotta be one of my favorite figures now

Yes, the final result is very satisfactory, and, in my opinion, It well depict the subject


Gonna brush on some lunar dust?

I'd like to scale one down to go with my LEM.

I have some idea about more enhancement:

first of all, put the Astronaut on the moon, i'm using the Ton's instructions about the Moonscape for his Surveyor model (http://jleslie48.com/lunarsurveyor/) (paper machè)

Then complete some detail on PLSS. I discovered that on the PLSS of Cernan there was some interesting detail (see the picture I found on the capcom espace, l'encyclopédie de l' espace (http://www.capcomespace.net)site)

http://www.capcomespace.net/dossiers/espace_US/apollo/astronautes/scaphandre/A7LB%20PLSS%2002.JPG

And at last to try some technique to brush some powder (not lunar, but grey pastell) on a sample leg for test. If the result will be good I'll do on the model also.

I estimated the scale at 1/12 for my camera project, so, if you want to scale down the model to fit with the Udon's LEM (1/48), you have to reduce it to one third.

I'll keep You informed.

Nando :D

[nando]

Great build and detailing - well done!

Yogi

Thanks Yogi.

I'm a fan of your designs and builds.

Thanks

[2Kamser]

the only thing that separates the CDR suit from the LMP suit is that the LMP suit lacks the red stripes isn't it?

[2Kamser]

man, i've been looking at your astro a couple of times now, and it looks like a manufactured toy and not done in paper :D
you really managed to get some more life into it, with a little bit of dirt on it, it will even more real, really nice work you've done
will you release your enhancements for download? (the camera is just gorgeous)

[nando]

the only thing that separates the CDR suit from the LMP suit is that the LMP suit lacks the red stripes isn't it?

Yes It is. I saw many pictures in the Project Apollo Archive and I didn't find any difference but red stripes.

I did some small step ahead preparing the Moonscape: the wooden base, the "Lunar tool" that I copied from Alan Bean's site (http://www.alanbean.com/lunar_tools.cfm)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMVYlfzT2cI/AAAAAAAABT8/MOSKi4dBs14/s800/MoonScape00.jpg

I added a small particular: the Lunar Surface Checklist on the left wrist, although there is a historical mistake: Cernan wore the book (see the left insert) But Victoria appeared on the book of Pete Conrad in the AS-12.

Here what I found in a group:

"Victoria Rathgeb, AKA Victoria Vetri, AKA Angela Dorian, has been arrested and charged with attempted murder for shooting her husband.
She was the 1968 Playmate of the Year and, according to IMDB: "A photo of her that was in Playboy magazine was pasted into astronaut Pete Conrad's Apollo 12 lunar-surface checklist by the Apollo backup crew. Conrad wore the checklist on his spacesuit cuff and first found the photo during his walk on the Moon. The caption read "Seen any interesting hills and valleys?"

Warning-rated PG-13

http://www.hq. nasa.gov/ alsj/a12/ a12_cdrcuff. pdf (http://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a12/a12_cdrcuff.pdf)


Just a joke, :D

Best,Nando

[nando]

....
will you release your enhancements for download? ...

2Kamser,
I just saw that Julius kindly published on his site the pictures of my model and he made available the pattern (http://www.paper-replika.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4480:hasselblad-space-camera-papercraft&catid=39&Itemid=200144)(very bulk) of the Hasselblad 500EL, the modified type for the Moon, that I designed.

I'm very proud :D

[2Kamser]

with all rights too my friend :D
another difference with the CDR and LMP suits are the color of the neck ring, CDR's is red and LMP's is blue (think the CMP is red as well as both are commanders of each vessel when separated)

[nando]

...
another difference with the CDR and LMP suits are the color of the neck ring, CDR's is red and LMP's is blue (think the CMP is red as well as both are commanders of each vessel when separated)

About the CMP I found this picture of the Apollo 17 astronaut Ron Evans ( the CMP), with the red strip on, while he retrieves a film canister from the Lunar Mapping Camera on board the Command/Service Module (CSM) America.

http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/LIW/img/20071022_img5.png

About the color of the neck ring, I don't understand what do you refere, i found only this picture of the two helmets. :o

And the first trial of dirtying ...

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMadhliao3I/AAAAAAAABUY/q3bKQJTwGYo/s800/Dirtying00.JPG

[2Kamser]

About the CMP I found this picture of the Apollo 17 astronaut Ron Evans ( the CMP), with the red strip on, while he retrieves a film canister from the Lunar Mapping Camera on board the Command/Service Module (CSM) America.


yes as he is the "commander" of the CSM (2nd in command after CDR)
he also has the red stripe


About the color of the neck ring, I don't understand what do you refere, i found only this picture of the two helmets. :o


the neck ring is where the helmet connects to the suit ans is not visible on the shots from the moon as the helmet is covered
but if you look at crew pics when they are suited you'll see what i mean :)

[jimkrauzlis]

Wonderful thread!

I think the "dirty" version of the moon boots really came out well...can't wait to see how this turns out.

Cheers!
Jim

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Hey guys, my 2 cents about the red striped helmet Ron Evans wears in the picture: I think it's the commander's helmet after all, because when Evans retreived the scientific stuff from outside, Cernan and Schmitt stayed inside the CM. Evans just "borrowed" Cernan's helmet for the occasion. They didn't take one extra outer helmet case along just for this EVA.
Taking three outer helmets to the moon also would have added to the weight of the whole mission and for the CMP only a fishbowl helmet and a simpler suit was needed during the rest of the flight, hence the different backpack.
So the mission plans were to let Ron take the CDR's helmet for his EVA. The blue and red neckrings are clearly shown in a lot of group pictures of the crews. The rings of the suits of Apollo 9 (http://www.astronautarchives.com/a9%20crew%20by%20simulator.jpg) seem to be all blue, just as those of the Tenners (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2a/The_Apollo_10_Prime_Crew_-_GPN-2000-001163.jpg), although they almost seem black here. At this pic of the Apollo 11 crew (http://www.lunarland.com/images/Apollo%2011%20Crew.jpg) Buzz seems to be the only one with a blue neckring. Pete, Al and Dick (http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/photo2/apollo-12.jpg) all wear blue rings, but okay, an all-swabbo crew is blue, right? :) The original Apollo 13 (http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/photo2/apollo-13_2.jpg) team all wear red, just as The Three Rookies (http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/photo2/apollo-14.jpg) and their successors of Apollo 15 (http://mm04.nasaimages.org/MediaManager/srvr?mediafile=/Size4/nasaNAS-9-NA/62239/7120051.jpg&userid=1&username=admin&resolution=4&servertype=JVA&cid=9&iid=nasaNAS&vcid=NA&usergroup=Marshall_-_nasa-9-Admin&profileid=41) and the Apollo 16 crew (http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/IMAGES/MEDIUM/GPN-2000-001134.jpg). Perhaps it has to do with wearing training suits for the photo op?
Anyway, the neckring is not visible when the "moon helmet" is over the inner helmet because of the Beta cloth overlap with the suit, so for the A7 EVA suits it is not an issue.
(but this is only my two cents)

The astronaut and its additions is really great by the way! I also like the addition of the more crumpled paper for realism.

[nando]

I think I'll have to slow down a little on the model, as I have just had a little dental work, thanks anyway to everyone for the kind remarks.

But before I take a pain killer, I would like to give a final and definitive contribution to the question of the color of the neck rings.

I gathered pictures of three astronauts, during the final check of the space suits before liftoff, and all have the neck rings RED.

Thanks
Nando
:(

PS: Note the notice on the wall ... sigh :mad:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMc9B_Ve63I/AAAAAAAABVw/Wgd4vHwtPGs/s800/FinalCheck.jpg

[Swampfox]

I just came across this thread and could have probably answered your questions about the use of red bands on the Apollo Suits.

They were worn by the Mission commanders only as far as my memory serves me. I worked on the Apollo 15, 16 & 17 missions and that's how the red bands were set up back then.

The blue and red neck rings were never used in any way during the mission because, as was pointed out in an earlier comment, they were not visible during the mission EVA (extra vehicular activity).

The red bands were just a quick visual aid to the ground personnel watching and directing back home in Houston.

This is an excellent card model of the Apollo suits, very well done.

SFX

[nando]

A little step ahead today.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMhm8gno34I/AAAAAAAABWI/g-u_oG8GeIE/s800/MoonScape01.jpg

As i said, I did it using paper machè.

I took some newspaper, i put it in some warm water for some day, and i mixed it with wallpaper glue.

Then I stretched it on the base and i imprinted the footprints using the "Lunar tool".

Finally i scattered on it some dust of pastel.

The final result seems to me good. Here inserted for compare some detail of the actual Moonscape during tha AS-17.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMhnEJb7qFI/AAAAAAAABWM/9FKEXb1Ggk0/s800/Moonscape02.jpg

Best, Nando :D

[jimkrauzlis]

Most excellent results!!

Can't wait to see this with the "weathered" suit!

Cheers!
Jim

[nando]

As You can see in the following picture, I put the paper machè directly on a cardboard disk, but the dryng process is different from center to the edge.
Thereafter the disk bent itself irremediably. :(

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMnkbKuirrI/AAAAAAAABWs/uQx9u1PKoUY/s800/BadNews.jpg

Now i covered a new disk with a plastic and aliminum sheet and i put a new cover of paper machè on it.

I know that when we procede using a trial&error process, we waste time&money, but we gain invaluable experience.


Best regards, Nando :o

[nando]

The second trial was worst then the first, therefore I went back to the first and I flattened it. The result is acceptable for me, so i glued it on the base.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TMw4q0xW3dI/AAAAAAAABX0/7P9sdzPkIYg/s800/Moonscape03.JPG

Now I have to get dirty my astronaut and I am nervous ... :cool:

[SAustin16]

Nando,

Wonderful project. Just go extremely slowly with the lunar dust. You'll do great.

[lillorizzo]

Hi. I'm new to the hobby and I am buliding the 1/48 LEM. I would also like to scale down to 1/48 the astronaut to go with the LEM. Could you please help? Thank you

Gonna brush on some lunar dust? :D

I'd like to scale one down to go with my LEM.

[nando]

Hi. I'm new to the hobby and I am buliding the 1/48 LEM. I would also like to scale down to 1/48 the astronaut to go with the LEM. Could you please help? Thank you

When i designed the Hasselblad, I estimated that the Astronaut is at 1/12th,. When i added some particular, for work with a correct reference, I scanned a printed page of the model and then I worked on the images. I had to scan the printed pages because the model is protected.

With the pages scanned You can resize them, reducing them at 1/3rd. Be aware do not to share the scanned images for do not violate the copyright.

Otherwise, if You have a printer that give You the possibility to scale down the output, you have simply to print at 33%.

I hope this could help You.

Nando :)

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Nando, A nice result! The astronaut and the base look really good.
A tip for the base: If you would have made the base paper disc wet in advance, it might not have curved as much as it did. It looks like it is made of beermat-like paper and that's very absorbent. The papier-maché is wet and its humidity gets sucked into the rest of the paper. That causes the whole to dry irregulrarly.
Now, when you keep the outsides wet, the thing might have dried a bit more evenly.

An other idea you could use is to make the papier-maché underground a bit bigger and on a flat, non-sticky surface. Like a mirror or something like that. When it has dried, you cut it out to its specific shape and glue it to your base for strength.

People who make aquarel paintings (Watercolour) do something to stretch their paper to prevent wobblyness. They first make the paper they are going to work on completely wet, so it expands. Then put it on a straight, flat background. They use a paper sticky tape, much like the lick-strips on an envelope, to glue the paper in position. When it dries it has been stretched. When they start painting, the paper won't wobble.

Just some tips.

@ Lillorizzo: Be aware that when you scale the astronaut down to 33%, most parts are unbelievable tiny and very hard to cut out, fold and glue. When you, as you say, are new to the hobby, you have chosen two very hard subjects to start with. The LM is a elaborate piece of work, (especially U-Don's one). The astronaut is a very cool piece of work, but to scale it down that far, even though I myself like working in the almost nanoscales, looks like a very big challenge. However, I wish you good luck with the build! Show us the results!

[jimkrauzlis]

Awesome result, Nando...can't wait to see how you dirty up the suit...be brave, your trial run earlier really looked superb!

Cheers!
Jim

[nando]

...The papier-maché is wet and its humidity gets sucked into the rest of the paper. That causes the whole to dry irregulrarly.

....An other idea you could use is to make the papier-maché underground a bit bigger and on a flat, non-sticky surface. ....



Thank You for your hints. I think that my problem comes also from my hurry to see the paper machè dried. Also the second trial, on the non-stichy surface, was worst then the first one for the same hurry. I'm ashamed to show the result :o

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TNPkBfhnxBI/AAAAAAAABaI/IunwFOiuzJg/s400/SecondTrial.jpg

...can't wait to see how you dirty up the suit...be brave
Jim


Jim, be patient with me. I'm still fighting with the base. Now I glued the paper machè on the wooden base but it doesn't want to stay flat .... :mad:

[jimkrauzlis]

Jim, be patient with me. I'm still fighting with the base. Now I glued the paper machè on the wooden base but it doesn't want to stay flat .... :mad:

Hey, Nando, not to worry, I didn't mean to come across as impatient; I understand what you are going through with the base and am patiently looking forward to your further updates as developments permit. :)

We're all pulling for you!

Cheers!
Jim

[lillorizzo]

Hi, Nando.
If the Lem is 1/48 scale and if the astronaut is 1/12 scale, shouldn't I resize this last at 1/4th, that is 25%?
Thank you

When i designed the Hasselblad, I estimated that the Astronaut is at 1/12th,. When i added some particular, for work with a correct reference, I scanned a printed page of the model and then I worked on the images. I had to scan the printed pages because the model is protected.

With the pages scanned You can resize them, reducing them at 1/3rd. Be aware do not to share the scanned images for do not violate the copyright.

Otherwise, if You have a printer that give You the possibility to scale down the output, you have simply to print at 33%.

I hope this could help You.

Nando :)

[lillorizzo]

Dear Nando,
how tall id the finished model?
Thanks

When i designed the Hasselblad, I estimated that the Astronaut is at 1/12th,. When i added some particular, for work with a correct reference, I scanned a printed page of the model and then I worked on the images. I had to scan the printed pages because the model is protected.

With the pages scanned You can resize them, reducing them at 1/3rd. Be aware do not to share the scanned images for do not violate the copyright.

Otherwise, if You have a printer that give You the possibility to scale down the output, you have simply to print at 33%.

I hope this could help You.

Nando :)

[nando]

Dear Nando,
how tall id the finished model?
Thanks

My model is about 15 cm tall (5.9 inches). I estimated that a man is 180 cm tall (70.9 inches), therefore 180 / 15 = 12.

You are right: to downsize the model at 1/48 scale You have to reduce it by 25%. My brain is aging more then I believe. :(

About a tiny astronaut. I found in this french forum (http://www.forum-conquete-spatiale.fr/collections-et-maquettes-f29/module-lunaire-sovietique-lk-maquette-1-24eme-t10222-240.htm) this astronaut model. Ok It isn't paper and it isn't american, but it could be on the moon also.

You can rate the size of a 1/48 astronaut, thinking that it is at 1/24 scale.

The LK model is a true masterpiece.

Best, Nando

[bagpiper]

Other than FANTASTIC. I am stumped for words. Wow! FANTASTIC. Sorry! Had to say it twice.

Thanks for sharing
Cheers
Jim

[nando]

Ok, I think that the Mooscape it's ok now.

First I carved the foot prints to give a stable base at the Astronaut.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TNxwzXo4NFI/AAAAAAAABeQ/ctYhp1nc3Cg/s640/CarvingTheFootprints.jpg

Then I used this "device" to flatten the paper machè

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TNsaycJQYJI/AAAAAAAABdE/m0mfspVjbPA/s640/FlatteningDevice.jpg

Finally I masked the base to do the last velum of dust ... :rolleyes:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_ysTi-x6y04E/TNxuV_bUomI/AAAAAAAABd4/nltrHeR6e_g/s640/MaskingTheBase.jpg

Best, Nando

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Another league of paperwork! Looking fine!

[jimkrauzlis]

The base came out really nice...can't wait to see how it looks with the astronaut in place!

Cheers!
Jim