Ton Nooteboom's Voyager in 1/48

[Paper Kosmonaut]

As announced, I started working on something new. This time I was inspired the other way around; I read a poem by a Dutch writer and poet I admire a lot, Gerrit Krol. In one of his more recent books he wrote a very striking poem about Voyager 1.
I am not much of a poet myself, but I have made a translation for you all, so you know what I am talking about.

Voyager 1

No more earth, no more days.
Always night, always sun.
I just keep on roaming,
space is fixed, time is
a slackwire.

I have, on my way to the Universe,
become a new coordinate.

The sun hardly warms
me anymore.

Gerrit Krol, 2005

This inspired me to do Ton's model of Voyager, and I want to add the poem to the display. I also want to do something with the famous "Pale Blue Dot" photograph, but that's all a display matter*, and first we'll have to build the lonesome probe.

*suggestions are welcome!

As 'usual', I decided to work not in the original scale but this time just 50% smaller. Further, I took the liberty to replace some paper strutting with brass rods. Oh yeah, I also use some paint to retouch the white edges. We're well on the way, but there's a lot of booms, antennae and other bits and pieces to be made. The ball I used for the fueltank is made of tightly pressed cotton fibres. It was exactly the size I needed and really goes well with the paper. Here's where I am now:

[Retired_for_now]

Impressive (and quick) start! Ton's designs are extremely precise (silversmith skills transfer?) so should go together well.
Yogi

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Well, it does. Only minor minus was that the outer ends of the Startrackers both were too short, i.e. the strips of paper provided were the same length as the box they had to go around. So I substituted my own. further it's a nice model indeed!

[jparenti]

Coming right along! I wondered how it would look in such a small scale, and so far it looks really good.

[Rocky]

I can see why you were inspired.....and it shows in your work. Both are quite moving.
sincerely.

[Retired_for_now]

You may not have a license plate (re Pioneer posting) - but if you can find a turntable these days Ton did provide you:



Yogi

[Paper Kosmonaut]

So there we go again, back on track with Voyager.
A quick update.
First, no building pics of it, but the sun sensor on the dish is made (very small pieces in 1/48 but I am kind of getting used to it, I guess..)
the aft structure that held the engine has been made. I used some brass rods to give it a more authentic look. Not that paper would do the trick but I was going for a more realisitc look and the flat structure Ton provides just did not look 100% the part to me. There's a lot more brass rodding coming up, I think... All the booms and instruments though will be made from paper.
I also gave the dish a dab of acrylic gloss white to get it shiny and a bit more sturdy.
Here's some shots I took today.

[milenio3]

Those are great additions, PK! I love the look the teh dish.

The set is looking very nice.

[jimkrauzlis]

Well, this is coming out superb, as usual, PK!

Lots a great photos showing your excellent work.

Cheers!
Jim

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Thanks!