Started my Space:1999 Hawk using the AMT 1:200 Apollo Saturn 1B and Saturn V rockets. The original studio model used the Airfix 1:144 versions of the same rockets for the main body but I decided to cheap out. I found the AMT kits at Hobby Lobby and this week their online coupon was 40% off one item so I got the two kits that I needed for less than 45.00 after taxes. The Airfix kits would have cost over 3 times that.
I started with the main body, using 4 Saturn 1B first stage tank halves and two Saturn V second stage tank halves. I glued two of the 1B tank halves together end to end and then glued those to the end of the S V second stage half.
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The first thing I noticed after doing this is that the 1B tank sections looked too long and the flat sections between the tanks was offset compared to the Airfix kit, also the AMT 1B halves is missing the molded in ring above the flats that the Airfix kit has. I measured the 1B halves and compared it to measurements based on pics of the 1:144 based original miniature as well as available blueprints and it was 24mm too long. I cut off the excess length and then removed the offset flat sections, the openings will be covered by a flat strip that runs the length of the part so it is not necessary to fill in the cut sections new flat sections will be made and put in the proper places at either end of the 1B sections.
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I then used the Saturn V interstage piece and the SV tank ends from the first and second stages to make the large tank that attaches to the rear of the Hawk. I had to add strips inside the ends of the interstage to get a good fit. Four of the ullage rockets that is molded into the piece will have to be removed since the Airfix kit has only four.
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The next step is the lunar module pieces that are used for detailing the rear bulkhead. In the pic one of the Airfix LM pieces are shown for size comparison. First thing I noticed is the AMT LM ascent stage pieces are done in right and left halves and the Airfix LM was done in front and rear halves. that means the AMT LM has to be glued together and then split to give the proper look. The descent stages have to be done this way also.
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I plan on taking on the nose section later today. I think I may be able to do it fairly easily, the shape is not all that complicated.
I started with the main body, using 4 Saturn 1B first stage tank halves and two Saturn V second stage tank halves. I glued two of the 1B tank halves together end to end and then glued those to the end of the S V second stage half.
The first thing I noticed after doing this is that the 1B tank sections looked too long and the flat sections between the tanks was offset compared to the Airfix kit, also the AMT 1B halves is missing the molded in ring above the flats that the Airfix kit has. I measured the 1B halves and compared it to measurements based on pics of the 1:144 based original miniature as well as available blueprints and it was 24mm too long. I cut off the excess length and then removed the offset flat sections, the openings will be covered by a flat strip that runs the length of the part so it is not necessary to fill in the cut sections new flat sections will be made and put in the proper places at either end of the 1B sections.
I then used the Saturn V interstage piece and the SV tank ends from the first and second stages to make the large tank that attaches to the rear of the Hawk. I had to add strips inside the ends of the interstage to get a good fit. Four of the ullage rockets that is molded into the piece will have to be removed since the Airfix kit has only four.
The next step is the lunar module pieces that are used for detailing the rear bulkhead. In the pic one of the Airfix LM pieces are shown for size comparison. First thing I noticed is the AMT LM ascent stage pieces are done in right and left halves and the Airfix LM was done in front and rear halves. that means the AMT LM has to be glued together and then split to give the proper look. The descent stages have to be done this way also.
I plan on taking on the nose section later today. I think I may be able to do it fairly easily, the shape is not all that complicated.
