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

[mperdue]

Every time I look at this thread I become more impressed. The modeling skills shown here are second to none.

[spacerunner]

Thanks Guys for your kind words.

Stay tuned, the road is still long and this project remains a major challenge until I can turn on the light.

[paperengineer]

Yes! Good to know there's more ahead!

[spacerunner]

Hi folks,

since the test fitting of the supply lines but was too stressful under the ladder at TSM, I have come up with another solution on the TSM template without a ladder and some balsa strips used as backing. Then, the lines can still place much easier and align. Because at these small dimensions one have to try a few times, whether agree the lengths and possibly correct the bends minimal until then everything fits properly.



As union nuts but I will now use the smaller rings, because they fit somehow better to the 0,4 mm copper wire, and also at the junction of the lines to the base plate is only very little space.



The threading of the rings was again as a test of patience ...





Here one can see that the rings form a contiguous region.



The ROFI lines on LOX-TSM would be so far finished and could be painted. Therefore let us go on the LH2 TSM, only the lines are just reversed.

That was again the same procedure as on the other TSM and started with the bending of the lines on the TSM template.





While this may seem like a no-brainer, these hand grips require a full concentration, patience and tact.







But as the first line already fits quite well to the holder.

[paperengineer]

Those threads are small! I wouldn't be able to not inhale them, much less use them!

[spacerunner]

Yep, and one also should not sneeze meanwhile.

[spacerunner]

Hello friends,

today on our public holiday just a small next step, the other ROFI supply line at LH2 TSM still missing.







That's it, see you soon.

[rbeach84]

Manfred, the pix are working fine now; may have been the server was 'down' at the time I was 'catching up' on your posts. Thanks - work is wonderful as always, appreciate you sharing it with us all so nicely.
R/
Robert

[spacerunner]

Thanks Robert for your nice words and continued interest. I hope that you can now follow my report without break.

[spacerunner]

Hi all,

it is still not quite done, so continue with the nice ROFIs. And therefore once again previously the obligatory test fitting on LH2 TSM.





So, and these are now all ROFI parts that can now go to the paint shop.



And so now to the ladders on the front of the TSMs, which indeed still missing, and for that I must first again glue the support brackets, of course, again with spacers, everything as usual ...



but with a tiny difference. The ladders on the front are longer and go down to the SSME-Blast Shield. Since there the service flap box is at the end, the lower support bracket can only stand on one leg, which one can see here.





But this is a fallacy, because on one leg can not stand long anyway, especially not secure enough.

Good thing I have ever looked closely. Because as you can see on the next picture the ladder at the end is standing on two legs too, as it should be, only the support looks a little different.

The red arrows indicate the second last and the last strut pair, and the green arrow points to a support plate which is welded just above the Blast Shield on TSM. At this plate second strut is mounted, here still obscured by the thicker tube,


Source: NASA

but as you can see better from the back.


Source: NASA

So I have to modify the lower attachment still, accordingly, let's go the whole hog.

But for a positive feeling I ever get the front ladder and the ROFI placed provisionally,





what it looks quite passable, I think.