sreinmann
03-11-2015, 07:52 PM
Thanks to ETG for a smashing addition to the great observatories and for his help in finalizing my build.
The model came together well for me. I did choose to use some heavier stock, card board scavenged from cereal boxes and some thin corregated board to build up the bus platforms and the PVA plate. I tried aluminum foil for the primary mirror. Can't say I love the results on close examination. I should have tried a dry fit and sized it better. My struts that hold the cryostat body aren't positioned perfectly either. Maybe I made them too long, but I'm not sure I could have cut them down too much more without interfering with the overall position. One thing that I definitely got wrong, Erik's directions advise that trimming the PVA assembly's rib may be necessary to fit the bus. I thought I had done enough, but once I applied glue to the bus's tabs and slid it into place ... nope, didn't quite fit together well enough. I doubt you'll notice in these pictures, but there's a bit of a gap between the bus and the PVA. Oh well, only I and the rivet counters will notice. ;)
The model came together well for me. I did choose to use some heavier stock, card board scavenged from cereal boxes and some thin corregated board to build up the bus platforms and the PVA plate. I tried aluminum foil for the primary mirror. Can't say I love the results on close examination. I should have tried a dry fit and sized it better. My struts that hold the cryostat body aren't positioned perfectly either. Maybe I made them too long, but I'm not sure I could have cut them down too much more without interfering with the overall position. One thing that I definitely got wrong, Erik's directions advise that trimming the PVA assembly's rib may be necessary to fit the bus. I thought I had done enough, but once I applied glue to the bus's tabs and slid it into place ... nope, didn't quite fit together well enough. I doubt you'll notice in these pictures, but there's a bit of a gap between the bus and the PVA. Oh well, only I and the rivet counters will notice. ;)