NASA SCA 747 with Columbia STS-107 (AXM Paper Space Scale Models)

[theOshkoshModeler]

Hello all!

I want to share my first major project after my modeling hiatus with the forum.

As many of you are aware, February 1st, 2023 was the 20th anniversary of the infamous Columbia breakup over Texas. In memory of this tragedy, I'm building a 1:144 model of the shuttle atop NASA's first shuttle carrier 747 N905NA.
(Columbia was due to land at Kennedy however, therefore the SCA wouldn't have been needed should it have landed successfully. But it's good to imagine...)

This project will be my own memorial of the STS-107 mission, and after it's completed I'll hang it from my ceiling as the first of many aircraft displays.

All parts of this display can be found, for free, at AXM Paper Space Scale Models.com – Space Shuttles, ISS and more paper rockets.
(Beware, however, the shuttles are a pain to download as it's spread over several PDF files and website pages, especially so if you want a specific shuttle and mission. Most shuttle mission payloads are paid kits, also, so get that wallet ready)

This display will be in three parts:
-SCA 747 N905NA (heavy modification of Kiyonaga/Canon's 747-400)


-Shuttle Columbia with STS-107 payload (original model)


-Four T-38 Talon chaser/astronaut training aircraft from two different eras (original model)


I can't wait to start this adventure with the forum!

(Attached below are samples of the parts sheets for each model)

[PhantomCruiser]

Outstanding!

I've been contemplating that SCA... it looks daunting!

[theOshkoshModeler]

Originally Posted by PhantomCruiser

Outstanding!

I've been contemplating that SCA... it looks daunting!

Apologies... I may have been a little misleading with the first post, Phantom.

These are just photos I snatched from the website. The real work is yet to begin.

[theOshkoshModeler]

Construction begins with one of the T-38 Talons, N514NA.


34 parts on a single half-sheet of letter paper... the small parts pose quite a challenge (especially with the nose and cockpit measuring only 5 centimeters total)

Luckily my magnifying goggles make cutting and assembling small parts easy... definitely worth the $15 Amazon purchase

[theOshkoshModeler]

After a few more hours of work the main fuselage is complete.

Be careful when attaching parts 10 and 11 to part 9- the instructions aren't clear as to which part is on which side. Part 10 should be on the LEFT and 11 on the RIGHT. Very easy mistake to make (luckily I noticed it before the glue set so I didn't damage the parts too badly)

[theOshkoshModeler]

Wings and stabilizers attached.

[theOshkoshModeler]

The intakes, exhaust, and a couple small additions to the nose (namely the pitot tube and UHF antenna) complete the first of four T-38s.





Measuring at only 13cm, it was definitely a challenge for a semi-amateur like myself.
Doesn't look spectacular if you look closely, but it's good enough (especially for the first model I actually took the effort to complete)

[theOshkoshModeler]

Decided to hang the T-38 from the ceiling right away to see what I'm dealing with in regards to display, might I say it looks beautiful from below...