More rockets in 1:480

[kwc]

When I was building Mike and George's Saturn IB in 1:480 (http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/pasa-paper-aeronautical-space-administration/7469-1-480-lc-34-apollo-7-a.html), I got the crazy idea to build an entire collection of manned launchers in the same scale. So I decided to try a Mercury Redstone, figuring that if I could pull off one of those at that scale, I could probably build any other rocket in 1:480 too.

As it turns out, 1:480 is an insanely small scale for a Redstone. This is the (free) model from Delta 7 Studios, originally in 1:96 scale, printed here at 1/5 of the original size:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2479.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5292)
(In hindsight, I shouldn't have printed it centered and wasted so much paper around the sides.)

And what does it look like finished?
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2480.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5293)
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2482.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5294)

Next up, Mercury Atlas? Are there any good ones besides the one at Precision Paper via the Wayback Machine?

[SAustin16]

Excellent workmanship. That will be a very nice collection.

[legion]

Maybe the Canon H-2A (http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3148/03310/index.html)? Though i do not know the scale it comes in...

[Simmo]

The only other one I know of is Carl's (surfduke) at Index of /surfduke/-Mercury (http://www.mos95b.com/surfduke/-Mercury/)

Nice job on the Mercury Redstone. Too small for my fat fingers.

[Retired_for_now]

Kevin,
I used the Precision Paper Atlas and Titan at 1:200 scale for rocket gardens (plain paper construction). I also did Ton's Titan at 1:200 (looks better than the PP version). It was finicky at 1:200 - good luck at microscale (very nice Redstone by the way).
Yogi

[WeeVikes]

Wow...

That's just nuts! In a good way!

The smallest one I've built is the Little Joe II, which I will eventually get around to releasing. Never in a million years could I imagine trying to build the MR.

Great work!


Mike

[kwc]

Thanks for the positive responses everyone.

Maybe the Canon H-2A (http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/3148/03310/index.html)? Though i do not know the scale it comes in...
I forgot to mention that my plan is to focus on (successful/actually launched) manned launchers for now. Thanks for the suggestion though.

It looks like Surfduke's Atlas is a little more complex than the PPSM one, so I'll probably take a look at the latter first.

[peter taft]

WOW !!!! How good is that ? you have made a wonderful model there. ;)

[Retired_for_now]

When you get to the Titan, be prepared to scratch build a box prism for the engine/thrust structure. You might be able to work out some detail at this scale, but it stumped me at 1:200.
48854
1:200 builds of Precision Paper on the left; Ton's (multiple) on the right. Done in plain bond paper. You can just see the cobbled up thrust truss ... and a slight scaling issue (likely my bad, somehow).
Yogi

[jimkrauzlis]

Oh, I LOVE this!

What a great idea...I've thus far stuck to 1/144 scale, but this 1/480 is insanely wonderful!:D

Great job on the MR, and I can't wait to see what you do with the Gemini Titan.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

Cheers!
Jim

I started the exploration ship GRONLAND in 1/600 scale (see photo below) but the idea of a fleet of launchers in this mini-micro scale is intriguing!

[peter taft]

When you get to the Titan, be prepared to scratch build a box prism for the engine/thrust structure. You might be able to work out some detail at this scale, but it stumped me at 1:200.
48854
1:200 builds of Precision Paper on the left; Ton's (multiple) on the right. Done in plain bond paper. You can just see the cobbled up thrust truss ... and a slight scaling issue (likely my bad, somehow).
Yogi

Very nice. I am defo going to build me a MINI rocket series :) I've made the Mini L.U.T with the SV from WEEVIKES {Mike}, and i have the 1:480 scale S-1B { by Mike and George} which i will do after the 1:48 L.E.M I just love all this miniaturization - you certainly don't get any COMPLAINTS from loved ones :rolleyes:

[kwc]

Yep...it's a little crazy building so small, and I was worried at first when I saw the mostly-blank sheet that came out of the printer. But it's fun working with all the tiny parts (until you drop one into the carpet).

Yogi, those Titans look good. I'm wondering what you did for some of the detail pieces, like the strips that go down the side of Ton's Titan. Was it a minor enough downscaling that you just used the detail parts unmodified with no problem? Or did you leave them off hoping nobody would notice, or redraw the main parts to include the details?

Also, how come Ton's are taller than the PPSM Titans?

[Retired_for_now]

Yogi, those Titans look good. I'm wondering what you did for some of the detail pieces, like the strips that go down the side of Ton's Titan. Was it a minor enough downscaling that you just used the detail parts unmodified with no problem? Or did you leave them off hoping nobody would notice, or redraw the main parts to include the details?

Also, how come Ton's are taller than the PPSM Titans?

Kevin,
I printed everything for Ton's Titan out on plain paper and used the pieces I could physically handle. As I recall the vertical detailing for cable runs and piping was just cut out and glue on. I did scratch build a box for the thrust structure as Ton's original and revised parts were just too detailed at this scale - I needed something that would stand up to a support rod.

The scale issue was me, I think. I did the rocket gardens before all the discussion here about how Acrobat fits things to the page. I either scaled the PP rocket using the printer settings with an unknown setup on the Acrobat or I used Acrobat's 4-pages per sheet for the reduction (50% - very approximately).
Yogi

[kwc]

And here's the Mercury Atlas:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2484.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5422)
It's the one from Precision Paper, except for the launch escape tower which is a copy of the Delta 7 Redstone's (I liked the increased detail, and it makes these two look more consistent).

And of course here's the newly expanded family portrait:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2487.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5423)

I haven't thought about how I'll eventually want to display these yet. I might have to poke holes through them so I can put them on support rods, or else find some other way to secure them upright.

[jleslie48]

And here's the Mercury Atlas:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2484.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5422)
It's the one from Precision Paper, except for the launch escape tower which is a copy of the Delta 7 Redstone's (I liked the increased detail, and it makes these two look more consistent).

And of course here's the newly expanded family portrait:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2487.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5423)

I haven't thought about how I'll eventually want to display these yet. I might have to poke holes through them so I can put them on support rods, or else find some other way to secure them upright.


You know what? if you mount them in a box, and cut a peep hole in it, you can make like one of those keychain picture/kodachrome slide viewers for it. make kind of like a small lightbox, with a solid front with a peephole. when the person looks through the hole it will be a "3d" rocket park; paste an appropriate landscape picture in the back of the box. leave the top and sides open for the casual viewer, and to illuminate the diorama.

[WeeVikes]

Dude...

That is just NUTS!

(In a good way!)


Those little things are awesome. I can't imagine building that small. (Ironic, I know...)


So, when are you designing and building the launch pads?

Mike

[Paper Kosmonaut]

That Redstone is pretty awesome. Very tiny indeed! Good work!

[kwc]

Ok, so I guess I had a month-and-a-half-long hiatus...I had a trip in late July and a project I wanted to complete in the weeks prior to that, and then after I got back I just didn't set aside any time to work on this. Actually, it was probably Starcraft II that's been keeping me busy since then.

Anyway, I've added a Gemini Titan to the lineup. This is the PPSM model, but I designed my own engine support frame that I thought looked more like the tangly mess of pipes and struts and chambers on the real thing - not that it's really very visible at this size...

http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2553.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5610)

http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2551.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5609)

[Paper Kosmonaut]

that's a really nice job you did on the engine structure. Still kind of "open" and lattuce-y. Looks sturdy to me, too. Looking forward to the rest. The Saturn 5 won't be so tiny, I guess. Are you also planning to build the shuttle stack in 1/450?

[kwc]

Yep, I'll probably be trying the shuttle soon. I've already done AXM's shuttle at half size in 1:288, so I wonder if I could scale it down by half again without too much trouble...

And speaking of the Saturn V...Mike, any possibility of seeing the new version soon?

[WeeVikes]

muffins,

I'm basically having to re-draw everything, and when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING! When I do that, and then try to convert the files to .pdfs, I'm losing a massive amount of detail, so I'm trying to figure out what the heck is going on.

I don't know what software George used, and even if I did, I don't have a copy of it. I'll figure it out, hopefully, but it's becoming a much more difficult project than I thought.

[kwc]

I don't know what software George used, and even if I did, I don't have a copy of it.

I wonder if I could help here - do you have some files whose format you don't recognize? If so, what extension do they have?

[Gideon]

Those look incredibly... small. Great job! How about a pic with a size reference (i.e. - your hand or a coin)?

[lancer525]

If I might recommend a PDF editing tool that should save you a huge amount of headache?

PDFill (http://www.pdfill.com)

This will convert a PDF to any one of a half-dozen graphics formats, without ANY loss of detail.

You can then edit your drawing in any graphics program, save it as a GIF or JPG, and then convert it back to PDF with the same PD Fill. Awesome program.

[Gideon]

I use PDFill as well. It does an excellent job. As Lancer said, you can convert .pdf to a graphics file up to 600dpi. I did this with a P-3 Orion that I downloaded and I am now using GIMP to do a repaint to match the squadron my dad used to fly with. GIMP has a fairly steep learning curve if you're not familiar with high-end graphics software (and I'm not). But I am learning via Google. :)

Both programs can be had for the low, low price of $0, just like we like it.

[lancer525]

Gideon: If you have any graphics experience at all, you can use just about any program for image editing that doesn't have the huge curve that GIMP has. I have two obsolete (and therefore free!) versions of old programs on my computer, Paint Shop Pro v7.4 and Adobe Photoshop v7.0 that I do all my graphics work with.

[kwc]

Those look incredibly... small. Great job! How about a pic with a size reference (i.e. - your hand or a coin)?

I took a few earlier pictures with a coin for comparison (try a page or two back) but I guess I forgot it in the latest "family portrait".

Working on the Shuttle now. It turns out to be exactly 30% of AXM's 1:144 patterns, so it's really not that much harder than the 50% builds I did about a year ago. I really like how Alfonso's shuttles go together, but I wonder if I'll ever do one at the intended full size (or maybe I should try a different big one like the Fortezza?)

[Gideon]

I took a few earlier pictures with a coin for comparison (try a page or two back) but I guess I forgot it in the latest "family portrait".
Ahh, yes. I remember seeing them now... Silly me. :p

[lancer525]

After the Shuttle, are you going to move on to the Soviet/Russian launchers?

Is there any chance whatsoever that you might do the N-1?

[WeeVikes]

If I might recommend a PDF editing tool that should save you a huge amount of headache?

PDFill (http://www.pdfill.com)

This will convert a PDF to any one of a half-dozen graphics formats, without ANY loss of detail.

You can then edit your drawing in any graphics program, save it as a GIF or JPG, and then convert it back to PDF with the same PD Fill. Awesome program.

Lancer,

Thank you for the suggestion.

My problem, however, is that I design in PowerPoint, and when I convert the files to .pdf, that's when I lose a ton of resolution. If everyone had PowerPoint and the files weren't enormous, I'd be in business!

Do you think PDFill could help me with this?

[lancer525]

:eek: Power Point?

That's not a graphics program... That's a slide presentation program! How on earth do you get graphics out of Power Point?

Nevermind... I would recommend finding a really cheap obsolete version of a recognized, available graphics program such as Paint Shop Pro 8, or Photoshop 6 or 7 (both available on eBay for around $15 at last glance) and doing your graphics work there. If you work at a resolution of 300DPI, you can use a canvas size of 2250 wide by 3000 high, and save it as a GIF file. Use PDFill to convert that to a PDF, and you're in business. The default margins in PDFill are 0.5" wide, and at 300DPI, you have a 7.5" x 10" sheet to work in, so you don't have to enlarge to fit, and can maintain scale with an output sheet that is perfectly letter sized. I'm doing a post-WWII Battleship this way, and it's been literally a piece of cake to edit and revise my PDF parts sheets.

I haven't the first clue how to go about using Power Point for anything other than creating simple slideshows... In fact, I didn't even know you could use it to do graphics.

[kwc]

Mike, could I ask what version of Office/Powerpoint you have, and what method you're using to produce PDFs? My work computer has Powerpoint 2007 and it appears to be able to export PDFs natively. It also seems to preserve the vector information in the shapes, as I can zoom in as much as I want without losing any detail (at least when I tried drawing a circle and making a PDF of if). I don't remember seeing native PDF export functionality in older versions of Powerpoint, though, so if you're using one of those older versions maybe you're out of luck.

I know there are "virtual printers" that produce PDFs (CutePDF Writer (http://www.cutepdf.com/) is one) but I don't know how much control you have over vector info or resolution.

Another thing maybe worth investigating is OpenOffice.org (http://www.openoffice.org/) which is a free/open source office suite that's mostly-but-not-always-100% compatible with MS Office. I think it has the ability to export as PDF, but I haven't tried to do so. I'm not sure if it would open your current Powerpoint files and display them correctly though.

If you would be willing to send me one of your Powerpoint files, I could try messing around with some of these programs and see if I can find anything that works.

And Lancer...yes, I'd like to try some Soviet/Russian launchers when I'm done with the US ones. I wasn't planning on doing an N-1, though, since I was thinking of limiting myself to launchers that have actually successfully flown manned (might reconsider this later). I would do at least a Vostok and a Soyuz; I don't know if I'll build a Voskhod, since it's basically just a taller Vostok...

[Retired_for_now]

:eek: Power Point?
That's not a graphics program... That's a slide presentation program! How on earth do you get graphics out of Power Point?

Yup - but when dinosaurs roamed the Earth we found you can do some really complex drawing with CHART and Harvard Graphics ...

Yogi (just because it's a flint knife doesn't mean it's not sharp)

[WeeVikes]

:eek: Power Point?

That's not a graphics program... That's a slide presentation program! How on earth do you get graphics out of Power Point?

Nevermind... I would recommend finding a really cheap obsolete version of a recognized, available graphics program such as Paint Shop Pro 8, or Photoshop 6 or 7 (both available on eBay for around $15 at last glance) and doing your graphics work there. If you work at a resolution of 300DPI, you can use a canvas size of 2250 wide by 3000 high, and save it as a GIF file. Use PDFill to convert that to a PDF, and you're in business. The default margins in PDFill are 0.5" wide, and at 300DPI, you have a 7.5" x 10" sheet to work in, so you don't have to enlarge to fit, and can maintain scale with an output sheet that is perfectly letter sized. I'm doing a post-WWII Battleship this way, and it's been literally a piece of cake to edit and revise my PDF parts sheets.

I haven't the first clue how to go about using Power Point for anything other than creating simple slideshows... In fact, I didn't even know you could use it to do graphics.

Lancer,

To piggyback what Yogi was saying, you'd be amazed what you can do with PowerPoint when you put your mind to it.

I'm sure there are things that Photoshop & other graphics programs can do that would blow PP out of the water, but when I started designing things a few years ago, it was all I really had available to me. Jon Leslie talks about in his website the ability to draw basic shapes in Word. I took that, and realized I could do the same thing and more with PowerPoint. And most of the shapes you need for rockets are really pretty simple geometric shapes, which it does well. The more I played with it, the more I "invented" things by necessity to acheive what I wanted, and I got pretty darn good at it, if I say so myself. I do copy and past things from other places and I use Paint to do others, and past them in, but I find a way. There are a few things I can't do, but mostly I can do whatever I want. And as I've been whining, the only problem I have now is the file size and the loss of resolution when going to .pdf. I'm confident I'll crack that nut at some point.

[lancer525]

Wee, don't take what I said the wrong way... I certainly wasn't bashing your methodology, just expressing my extreme disbelief at how it could be utilized that way... If it works for you, by all means, don't reinvent the wheel!

What I was suggesting, however, is that within a dedicated graphics program like the two I mentioned, you can determine your scale size and resolution without having to think about it. It's merely a matter of setting your screen resolution, and knowing what final dimensions you need. It's already done for you by drafting it up that way. I can give you an example, but it will have to wait until later this evening when I get home from work. I drew up a really tiny item, and it translated to PDF with no loss of resolution, to the point that I could hardly see the lines they were drawn so fine. Of course, showing you the pictures will blow the secret, but what the heck... It is a really tiny scale version of something huge, so it might work on this thread... I will post when I get home to show you.

[WeeVikes]

lancer,

I understood exactly what you meant -- no worries, there, my friend! I hope I didn't come across as defensive -- that's the last thing I intended. I appreciate your input.

I have no doubt what you're talking about would be a much more flexable tool than PowerPoint. It's great for some things, not so much with others, which forced me to adapt, as I mentioned.

Perhaps one of these days I'll check out some of the software you're talking about. If it makes my life easier, I'm all for it.

I look forward to seeing your work.

[lancer525]

Heh... I'm all for making things easier myself...

As promised, here's some shots of what I've been working on. This is a 1/200 scale Montana-class Battleship. 921 feet long, so it works out to a hair under 60" to scale.

First, here's a shot of the hull from my 3-D program.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/th_delft-01.jpg (http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/?action=view&current=delft-01.jpg)

Here's a couple of the sections of beta hull in progress at full scale. They haven't been joined together yet, and there's yet a third section under construction. It hasn't been added to the other two yet. The whole model is a bit short of 60" long

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/th_1207.jpg (http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/?action=view&current=1207.jpg) http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/th_1234.jpg (http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/?action=view&current=1234.jpg)

And for the weirdness, here's a microscopic scale view of the hull of the same ship, about 4" long... 1/2500 scale. So far, all I have is the first citadel deck, and the four main battery turrets. 18"/48 naval rifles at 1/2500 are really tiny. I think they worked out to 0.344" long. So, at 1/2500 scale they're really 0.0071"/48 guns... Hee hee hee... :D

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/th_1247.jpg (http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/?action=view&current=1247.jpg)

I don't know what possessed me to do this. I think it was your tiny little Redstone. Yeah, that's right, it's YOUR fault! :eek:

Here's a view, full size, of the image that I drew in Paint Shop Pro, and sent to PD Fill:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/th_2240.jpg (http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n59/lancer525/A1%20Montana/BB-72%20Hull%20Skins/?action=view&current=2240.jpg)

And lastly, as an attachment, is the PDF made from PDFill. This is incomplete, as I've not finished drawing up the very tiny parts of the rest of the superstructure. I hadn't really planned to show this to anyone, or to ever release it, but it seems like the right thing to do in this thread to show the capabilities of the software, even if I never do the superstructure and finish the microscopic scale ship. Which I might do and release as a kit. Who knows? :confused:

Note, I changed the file format of the last picture from GIF to JPG, so there's bound to be a little antialiasing...

All this work was edited (after the parts were created by other software) in Paint Shop Pro, and converted to PDF in PDFill. Best two pieces of software I never paid for that I've ever used...

You'll have to let me know what you think. :)

Oh, and if you want to see a model purely done by me in Paint Shop Pro and PDFill, here is Jupiter 130/246 that I did for the 2009 International Space Development Conference... LINK (http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/pasa-paper-aeronautical-space-administration/3783-direct-jupiter-130-246-1-72-a.html#post52465)

[kwc]

Lancer - 60 inches, huh? That'll take up a good amount of shelf space...

Your PDF looks good, but have you considered trying a vector drawing program like Illustrator or Inkscape (free)? That would allow you to scale things as much as you wanted without them becoming pixelated/blocky.

[WeeVikes]

Which I might do and release as a kit. Who knows? :confused:


Yes, please do! I'd love to build it.

[lancer525]

Kevin: That's a great idea! I have often wanted to get into vector graphics, but have just never had the time. I can do some vector graphics within PSP and Photoshop, but I've never really investigated going further with it. Now I just might! Then again, given that I run my cut-lines at 1 pixel wide, that works out to 1/300 of an inch on the paper, and takes some serious magnification to even see pixellation... Hee hee he...

Wee, I might just do that. Once I figure out the superstructure of the big one, which I haven't even started yet, I will have a better handle on how to shrink it up that tiny. 1/2500 is pretty small...

[cafe]

Drawing a Gundam in MS Excel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YG_WWZYqUs&feature=player_embedded)

Drawing a Gameboy Color in MS Powerpoint (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSt0bBoeIBg)

[kwc]

Progress on the shuttle with the completed orbiter, stack to come next:
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2570-1.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5721)

This is AXM's shuttle at 30%. At this scale, some parts (the OMS pods in particular - must remember to take a picture of the back) are not so much folded as they are kind of smushed together in the hope that the glue sets while it's in a reasonable shape...

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Hey, that's good! I like that!

[lancer525]

Holey Moley! :eek: That's bloody amazing!

What kind of electron microscope are you working under? :D

[jimkrauzlis]

Brilliantly done, Kevin!

I love this micro stuff, and the AXM reduced version came out very well...can't wait to see the stack!

I would love to see more photos, particularly of the after section, if you have the time.

Cheers!
Jim

[WeeVikes]

Wow...

Unreal...

[dhanners]

Are you sure that's not some trick photography?

Seriously, that's a great build in any scale. In that small of a scale it is even more impressive.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

How many centimeters is that shuttle? Do you have a Euro coin to put next to it? (-: (just being a bit Dutch (and silly)..)

[tedparkes]

looks to me about 3.5 - 4 pennys long, which would put it between 65-75mm

[mhvink]

Okay, where did you get a 6" penny?

[kwc]

Okay, where did you get a 6" penny?
Right over here... (http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/other-builds/5843-building-really-really-really-tiny-paper-models.html)

I forgot to mention that I may be disappearing for another few weeks, as I'm moving across the country soon. So I probably won't have anything else to show till I'm settled in at the new place.

[kwc]

Ok, I'm on the other side of the country, my models survived the trip, and I finished the shuttle.

http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2704.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5935)
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2705.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5936)
http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/data/795/medium/IMG_2707.JPG (http://www.papermodelers.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=5937)

Hey Mike...what's the status on that new Saturn V? Anything I could try helping with?

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Wow! that shuttle is a very fine piece of art. Wel done. What a little gem. I got to try that one myself in a while. Beautiful work!

[jimkrauzlis]

Cool!

I love the way the shuttle came out, Kevin. You have such a splendid talent creating these mini rockets, and I, for one, am very grateful you are sharing photos of your work with us, thanks!

You've got quite a wonderful collection of gems...would love to see the Saturn V right next to them.:D

I would love to try to build a few of these at this scale, they do look so awesome!

Cheers!
Jim

[lancer525]

This is impressive. Very well done!

[Dyna-Soar]

O.O Impressive

[Daedalus]

Very impressive! I need a set of 480's to decorate my work desk:D

[Spaceguy5]

And I thought building that Mercury in 1:144 was hard >____________>

[jimkrauzlis]

And I thought building that Mercury in 1:144 was hard >____________>

Yeah, right?:D

I have to say, I am tempted to try one or two of these at this scale, but I doubt they would come out as well.

Is there going to be a Saturn V in this scale?

Cheers!
Jim

[Spaceguy5]

What I think would be truly impressive: If he built one in 1:8 >___________>

[kwc]

Well...it's been a long time since I last posted on this site, and even longer since I worked much on this project; it's hard to believe I started it more than 10 years ago (which means yes, I'm resurrecting a 10 year old topic!). I did finish a Saturn V and start on some Russian/Soviet rockets not too long after my last update here, but then I put them all into a box and didn't touch them for a while.

However, recent events got me thinking about some old hobbies, and the SpaceX DM-2 launch a month ago also got me excited about this series again, so I decided to continue working on it along with a few other unfinished paper models. After the latest additions, I think I'm now up to date with every (vertically-launched) rocket that has ever taken humans to space, all in 1:480 scale.

https://i.imgur.com/xIC1Yi3.jpg

Here's a list of all the sources for the models:

Mercury/Redstone (http://www.delta7studios.com/dl.htm) - Delta 7 Studios, original 1:96
Mercury/Atlas (http://web.archive.org/web/20050213130708/http://www76.pair.com/tjohnson/mat.html) - Precision Paper, original 1:96
Gemini/Titan (http://web.archive.org/web/20050208081553/http://www76.pair.com/tjohnson/gt2inst.html) - Precision Paper, original 1:96
Apollo/Saturn IB (http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_apollo.html#m31b) - Mike B (WeeVikes) & George B, 1:480
Apollo/Saturn V (http://jleslie48.com/gallery_models_apollo.html#m31c) - Mike B & George B, 1:480
Space Shuttle (http://axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/index.php/shuttle-models/) - AXM, original 1:144
Crew Dragon/Falcon 9 (http://axmpaperspacescalemodels.com/index.php/falcon-9/) - AXM, original 1:100
Soyuz - Erik te Groen, original 1:150
Voskhod - modified from ETG's Soyuz
Vostok - modified from ETG's Soyuz
Shenzhou/Long March 2F (http://udonfactory.the-ninja.jp/paper/down/czdown.html) - U-DON'S FACTORY, original 1:96

I made my own modifications to a lot of these models in the interest of simplifying them, making them more consistent with each other, or improving their accuracy (where I noticed something that bothered me), so many of them don't perfectly represent the original models as designed. In addition, it's pretty apparent some of them were designed with higher levels of detail compared to others, and admittedly the amount of care that I put into building each one also varied, but I think it doesn't actually matter that much in the end and the result is still a pretty cool collection. I like to think of it as a 3D version of one of those "Rockets of the World" posters.

I still haven't figured out a good way to mount these for a display, but my latest idea is to use some kind of transparent glue to attach clear acrylic (plexiglass) bases to the bottoms. I'm hoping that would make them stable enough to stand vertically while still allowing them to be picked up and examined. I also hope it will preserve a decent view of all the rocket nozzles, which I think are neat to compare as there are so many different arrangements. Planning to test that soon to see how well it works.

https://i.imgur.com/cThn3w6.jpg

Meanwhile, I'm also thinking about trying to do some matching air-launched spaceplanes (X-15, SpaceShipOne, and SpaceShipTwo) along with their motherships (NB-52, White Knight One, and White Knight Two). Any existing models of these that I've been able to find all look way too big and too detailed for me to scale down successfully, so I suspect if I do it at all, I'm going to have to design my own tiny models.

Kevin

[axm61]

Wow, Kevin, these models look fantastic. Specially when I saw my Shuttle stack at that scale.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful collection !

[dhanners]

That's quite a collection, in any scale....

[kwc]

I did some experiments with glue and clear acrylic but wasn't happy with the results. So I've decided to perform some rocket surgery instead, which involves cutting the rocket open to implant a small aluminum tube. This allows the rocket to slide smoothly onto a thin brass rod, which I'll be able to build into the future display bases. This particular tube and rod are 3/32" and 1/16" diameter, respectively.

422804422805

While cutting each model open again is inevitably going to lead to some damage, I think it will be worth it because I should end up with a much nicer way to mount them (although I wish I had had the foresight to start doing this while building them in the first place). As of right now I have 2 down and 9 to go.

Kevin

[Willard11]

Several years ago I downloaded from the Aries Paper Models website the Mini Saturn 1B Apollo 7 template in 1:450 scale. On the pattern is a very interesting way to model the tanks on the 1st stage. That part of the pattern is in the photo. Over the years I have tried to model this part without much success. Recently I have tried again using different ideas. I decided I needed to put formers in to hold the shape of the tanks. However, the formers need to push out and pull back the tanks shape. In the photo are several formers and braces I have used. I finally did get one that is close in shape.

It is a lot of work to add the formers and braces to the tanks, so I decided to downsize a 1:96 scale template to 1:450 scale and 1:480 scale. It took about the same amount of effort to make 8 tubs for the outside tanks and one center tank as it did for making the former and braces. I think it looks better.

One thing I noticed is that the Aries model is taller than the downsized 1:96 pattern models. The top may be to hold the upper stage, but I'm not sure why the bottom is longer. The diameter of the models are the same. 1:450 scale and 1:480 scale models are too close to see much of a difference.

Has anyone used this method in modeling the 1st stage tanks on Saturn 1B models? Maybe part of the problem is the small scale of the model. It may work better on larger scales. I have a few other ideas I may try, but I wanted to check if any other modelers have built this model using this pattern. Maybe the designer has some suggestions, but I don't see the Aries Paper Models website on the internet anymore.

[kwc]

Hi Willard11, those are some nice looking first stage tanks. I did notice that was a detail that isn't present on Mike and George's Saturn IB (and there's nothing wrong with that; they're designed to be simplified models but still nice). I had decided I was fine with that, but seeing yours is starting to make me want the more detailed tanks for my own rocket.

Of course, if I wanted to retrofit mine, the best time to do that would have been when I had it cut open a few days ago for implanting the guide tube.

If my research is right, each of the 8 outer tanks on a Saturn IB is the same diameter as a Redstone rocket.

Kevin

[chmilestones]

Eric is the owner and designer from Aries .. he is active on this forum .. Also Bruno Vanhecke sells a series of Saturn models on this forum that are highly detailed and sturdy and hold well when increasing or decreasing scale sizes .. Skrry I don’t have examples or Eric’s details ..

[Willard11]

Hi Kevin, I am new to the forum and when I saw this thread about rockets in 480 scale, I thought this was the place to post my question. I hope you don't mind me using it for my question. I usually build my space models in 1:240 scale but use 1:480 scale for the larger models. You have a nice collections of rocket models.

The most difficult part I have had to make from downsizing the 1:96 scale to 1:480 scale is the Engine Section Fairing. It is the part that fits between the tanks at the bottom of the engine. It may be easy to cut out the inside circles in 1:96 scale, but it is a challenge in 1:480 scale. There must be some tools that cut circles that small. In the photo you will see the part I made after several tries. I also have the upper stage in the photo.

I have this modeling project on hold until I collect more information. I like your idea about placing the models on stands. I will have to try it when I get the the model built.

[ETG]

The trick is to score the seven lines on the back side of Part D. Then fold them up, towards the ink (valley fold) and flatten them with
a blunt object. Do this seven times. Now open part D. Use a smooth round knitting needle to shape the cylinders.
Now, it should be easier to get this part in the correct shape.

_______
Erik

[Willard11]

Thanks Erik for the information about scoring the backside of the patterns. I used a dowel stick to shape the cylinders. What weight paper do you use for the tanks? I may have handled the paper too much when I glued the edges together. I think that distorted the tanks shapes.

When I complete my current project, I will start working on this one now that I have this new information. I have some other ideas I thought about trying also.

[ETG]

When I design a model, it's usually made for 200 grams paper (I believe that is about 65 Bond paper...?).
For small parts and/or small rockets, this paper is often too thick. And it may "crackle" in a wrong way, when being shaped.
Therefor, use thin paper. 120 grams and/or 150 grams would be ideal for these small rockets.
It's easier to shape the parts and therefor get a better result. Add more layers of paper, afterwards, for reinforcement.
Ofcourse, synthetic glue is a MUST, especially for the larger parts. These glues are not water beased and will not warp
the paper. The small parts (finger nail size and smaller) are gued in place with wood glue.

NOTE : One important detail is never being discussed here: the correct type of paper for these models........
There are litterally hundreds of types of paper. Which one is best for you? Buy a few different types of paper and find out...!!
There is thick and thin paper, long fibres and short fibres, soft fibres and tough fibres, hand made and machine made paper.
The latter one has most fibres pointing in one direction, making folding difficult or it makes the paper crackle.
Rolled (smooth and shiny paper) and non-rolled paper, acid-free and non-acid free.

Plenty of choices. And they all react differently to the ink of your printer, too.......
(Actually, the ink reacts to the type of paper.)

Talk about fun. ;-)

Experiment !! Try it out.
That's the best advice I can give you.

_______
Erik

[kwc]

Yep, I'm actually using regular printer paper (20 lb/75 gsm) for the most part on these rockets, although in some areas I double it up or reinforce it with card stock so it's more rigid. (I might have used something a little thicker for some of the earlier ones but it's been long enough that I don't remember.)

I'm also mostly using plain old Elmer's glue (PVA), although I haven't really tried solvent-based glues so it's possible they could be nicer.

Kevin