Hubble Build

[ghaspacer]

Extremely nice build, I have the expert version and trying to work up the courage to build it. I've built the middle version about a year ago.

[sreinmann]

Since you shared your build from your native forum, I was prepared for the incredible results. Thanks for taking some more beauty shots of it completed Michael.

I stalled my build unfortunately after nearly completing the aft instrument bay. I'm hopeful to restart it before the convention, but I'm very distracted by other projects. I'm curious though, on this build and in others I've seen instructions to strengthen parts/assemblies by coating them with super glue. Can anyone offer instructions for how this is supposed to be accomplished? Do you use a spray on adhesive? Brush applicator?

[sreinmann]

Say, has anyone ever worked out a way to detail the grapple fixtures on Hubble? The scale should make this possible, but I’m not sure if there’s a simple method, or my usual, much to complicated version.

[sparky00]

Whenever I have used Superglue to strengthen parts, I've just used a thin superglue and saturated the part with it by applying it straight from the bottle or tube. Once the glue dries completely the part is very stiff and quite strong.

I usually do this on waxed paper to minimize the part sticking to other objects while the glue is still tacky.

[sreinmann]

Thanks Sparky, but I was referring to the "Ramps" that lead to the central grapple pin. I was hoping someone had a pattern.

[sreinmann]

Okay so I went ahead and built my ramps based on some drawings on Wiki. In this scale I estimated the dimensions to be an acute triangle 3mm long by 1.5mm wide at the base. I cut a strip at the widest, trimmed to length and then nibbles off the corners from 2mm to the middle. Then I bent down the remaining end and secured. I’m thinking I’ll have to trim a pin in the middle to complete the assembly, but that can wait till the end of the build/handling.

[Arne2019]

Wow. Last week i read all the instructions for this build. And made a plan for the mirrors. I'm going to cut a real mirror.
I'll see what I'm going to use for the rails.

But first MCRN Donnager

[TowpilotKen]

Great build so far. Keep going, it looks like you're on the right path.
Here's the one I finished recently, there are a few mistakes, so I plan to make a new one before too much longer.
I found I had to be very careful to follow the directions, and I got lost while building the interior framework. I also got some of the panel thicknesses wrong. The solar panels came out wonky, too, but when the model hangs horizontally, they straighten out.

[sreinmann]

Thanks Ken, your build looks great.

[sreinmann]

Finally completed after two years, with a substantial hiatus in the middle while I figured out a better method of handling the grab rails. Eventually, I settled on some craft card stock that was colored through and through. I bent down the last mm of each end to connect to Hubble or stacked a mm of paper in a square to stand it off the body. I also kept the PVA and hGA antennas unglued, slipping into a sleeve on the bus to support it in place. That will make transport much easier in the future.