Space Shuttle Launch Pad 39A with Challenger STS-6 (1:144)

[closet astronaut]

Incredibly detailed design and construction not with standing, I would tune into this build thread for the incredible up close and detailed photos of the launch pad alone.

[eagleclaw4935]

If this isnt museum qaulity.I dont know what is.

[spacerunner]

Thanks guys for your nice comments and staying tuned.

[Chris Knowlton]

Love it! Keep it coming Manfred!

Chris

[spacerunner]

Thanks Chris, it still goes on with the ladders, on and on ...

Today, I have now tried on the remaining 5 support brackets on the front, but I can tell you, my nerves are slowly bare.

As has been found out quickly, the holes punctured with the 0.2 mm diameter acupuncture needles were too small for the insertion of the 0.2 mm support brackets, so funny as that may sound. But there is just not enough clearance for moving the longer and the shorter bracket leg into it.


On the one hand, on the other hand I also had to find that the holes were not punctured deep enough so that the brackets could not be pushed far enough up on the spacer (1 mm), and have been partially bent.

That's why I then used a steel wire (0.3 mm) and punctured the holes a little bit deeper into the balsa core, after which the insertion of the brackets was a little easier. But still you have to be extremely careful here that you do not bend those thin things.



You need just for everything only a certain amount of practice, but as soon as I luckily give not up.



And in the end I still have placed the ladder in order to get an overall impression. And ever seen but not bad, right?



But, all this was only just dry firing, the sticking of the supports and of the ladders with CA glue after painting then certainly becomes the highlight, before I shudder to think already now ...

But since I have to go through, no matter what the cost ...

[spacerunner]

Hello together,

above each ladder on the boxes, there are still these additional 4 rungs here, making a total of 16. And these rungs I'll still need to install before mounting the ladders, as long as I can lay down the boxes on the balsa block. Because if they are then attached only once, nothing more is with touch or lay down.


Source: NASA

Also for these rungs I made myself a little template for puncturing the holes, because as from the cupped hand is nothing at 2 mm rungs width and 2 mm spacing.



And then I have bent the 16 rungs from 0.2 mm brass wire.



Then came the tricky application of the template and puncturing the holes, but this time all in the smallest space. As you come quite nicely into trouble with the needles, as you can see.



And here are the first four rungs are trial basis inserted.



Dealing with these rungs in the tweezers is somewhat arduous, and before you know it, a rung is sometimes disappeared never to be seen again, but with the necessary calm and patience that's still doable.

As far as short for today, then all a great weekend!

[RichO]

The small rungs look good Manfred!!

[spacerunner]

Thanks Rich,

yep, you're right, only small but nice details.

[THE DC]

This is museum quality work!

Truly art!

[spacerunner]

Thanks DC for your nice words, that's an extraordinary compliment.