Thor IRBM in 1:96

**APA-168** · #1 12-19-2010, 10:57 PM

Hi all, well as I said in the Thor video thread, I took a hiatus from ships this past week. This is the result. It is a half-sized build of my Thor IRBM kit. I built it pretty much as designed, except I designed a modified Engine nozzle and gimbal motor assembly to accommodate the smaller size. The oak base was also hand-made by myself.

In the same period, I also designed a Thor-Burner 2 kit in 1:48 which I also downsized and built in 1:96. I plan to build my entire line up of Thors in 1:96, including -Able, -Agena, and -Ablestar. The Burner kit should be on Ecardmodels before Christmas. I think I will also put the Thor in 1:96 up as a free download, as a Christmas present to all of you who have made my little obsession into a successful business venture.

Pics of Burner just as soon as I finish the base.

**SAustin16** · #2 12-20-2010, 09:59 PM

APA,

Beautiful model. Your oak base is both beautiful, and is reminiscent of the factory model bases from the late '50s and early '60s, very professional touch.

Thank you for posting. Inspires me to try something similar.

**APA-168** · #3 12-21-2010, 04:59 PM

Thank you, I am glad it inspired you! That's really the best any modeler can hope for, is to inspire another. If you do try something similar, I'd love to see some photos!

**Paper Kosmonaut** · #4 12-22-2010, 08:54 AM

Great job, Avery. Nice details, well-shaped curves. I love that pioneering era of the space age, this rocket is absolutely a key player in that period. From humble beginnings as a simple IRBM to all-round launching workhorse of the USAF.

(Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it that the fourth improved version Thor-Δ, became its new name under which everybody still knows the rocket: Delta?)

**SAustin16** · #5 12-24-2010, 08:21 PM

APA, Here's what you inspired.

Just a card version of the stand done in MS Word with an oak texture from the Word Textures. Just took a few minutes and was quite fun to think through. Would need some internal structure to strengthen it for a larger model.

These aren't as classy or strong as your beautiful stand, but for people without woodworking tools, it might be a solution.

I also did one in a Marble stone texture...came out quite nice.

Thank you very much for the idea.

**Gideon** · #6 12-27-2010, 04:40 PM

Austin, that is quite nifty! Is there a PDF for DL?

**SAustin16** · #7 12-28-2010, 12:16 AM

Hello All,

Based on APA-168's excellent wooden stand, PDFs of the paper versions ("Oak" and "Marble") are available in the Downloads section.

I would think that APA's actual wooden stands would work better in the long term, but these might suffice if one doesn't have woodworking equipment.

Thanks again to APA-168 for the inspiration.

**APA-168** · #8 01-27-2011, 06:01 PM

That paper iteration of my oak base looks to be very nice, I'm glad that it inspired you and thanks for making it available to everyone.

PK-Thank you! Yes, the Thor evolved into the ubiquitous Delta, still in service as the Delta II and Delta IV.

**jimkrauzlis** · #9 01-27-2011, 06:24 PM

Very nicely done, Avery;

Is your model available somewhere?

Cheers!
Jim

**APA-168** · #10 01-27-2011, 06:45 PM

Thanks, Jim! The original 1:48 version is available on Ecardmodels. I plan to release the 1:96 version (which is just the 1:48 version with an easier to assemble engine bell and much simpler vernier motors) free sometime in the near future. All I need to do at this point is the instructions for the new version.