Author
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Topic: Restoring/repairing Topping aerospace models
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hinkler Member Posts: 573 From: Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 04-15-2009 10:02 PM
I was lucky enough to buy a Topping XB-70 model recently. Unfortunately it did not come with the base. Any suggestions on finding one? Or does anyone have one for sale?The model has two small yellowish marks that are about the size of sticky tape and about half an inch long. Is there any way of removing these without damaging the model? |
history in miniature Member Posts: 600 From: Slatington, PA Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 04-16-2009 05:51 AM
Can you provide some photographs of the model? Restoration can be a very tricky endeavor, and on a piece of history like that, sometimes it is better left alone. |
dwmzmm Member Posts: 82 From: Katy, TX USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 04-16-2009 06:58 PM
Agreed; remember the old adage - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. |
E2M Lem Man Member Posts: 846 From: Los Angeles CA. USA Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 04-16-2009 09:10 PM
quote: Originally posted by hinkler: I was lucky enough to buy a Topping XB 70 model recently. Unfortunately it did not come with the base.
I know that problem as I purchased an old Topping XB-70 like that one and it is here in the plant with me, but putting it on a stand was cool to have!I got mine at an old hobby shop for pennies and had to re-glue the broken fuselage and then no display stand? Hmmm, what to do? I used a classic Lindberg model stand (XB-70 of course - and even the nameplate) because the locater pins and center of gravity were almost the same - she looks really nice on it even today. |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-17-2010 05:26 PM
Does anyone "repair" Topping models? I'm looking at purchasing an aircraft model that is intact but shows some wear to the paintwork and (painted?) decals. Can these be restored, or would the cost be prohibitive?Editor's note: Threads merged |
Retro Rocket Member Posts: 445 From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 11-17-2012 08:58 PM
I recently bought a Topping Apollo and I was surprised how good of condition it was in. It had all its parts and there were no cracks in any of the parts. The clear conical support is yellowed as are all the decals. |
NASA Glenn Member Posts: 79 From: Cleveland OH Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 11-18-2012 05:59 PM
I think the Apollo CM/SM/LES stack was produced by Walter Hyatt Models who was a former Topping employee. I would be interested in a set of replacement decals for the Apollo CM/SM stack and a replacement for the rectangular piece that holds the wiring between the CM and SM. Any thoughts about a full height clear LEM shroud and folding LEM legs so a Precise LEM could be displayed in the Hyatt stack? Topping made some Saturn V sections on transport cradles at 1:100 scale. |
GACspaceguy Member Posts: 2474 From: Guyton, GA Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-18-2012 07:05 PM
quote: Originally posted by NASA Glenn: ...a replacement for the rectangular piece that holds the wiring between the CM and SM.
Me too, that part is almost always missing. |
Retro Rocket Member Posts: 445 From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 11-18-2012 10:38 PM
Yes, that part is really simple so I can replicate it, I was very lucky mine had all the parts.
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Retro Rocket Member Posts: 445 From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 11-19-2012 02:18 PM
The person who does the landing gear is an amazing machinist, he'll have no problem making a set of legs that can fold up. Here's an example of his work its called an Orrery, a working model of the Solar System, every gear is custom cut by him and every single part is built by him, these sell for $30,000.
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Retro Rocket Member Posts: 445 From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 01-01-2013 04:00 PM
I've created a set of decals to restore your Topping Apollo model. I measured each decal carefully and overlaid them with the originals to make sure the size and shape of each was exact and correct. The large decal sheet for the Service Module will be tough to apply, it's big and needs to wrap around the cylinder with the correct alignment and not trap air underneath. Here's a pic, the SM decal is a little light, I need to darken the lines a little but this is just a quick test print. |
apolloprojeckt Member Posts: 1447 From: Arnhem, Netherlands Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 01-01-2013 04:13 PM
Looks great!!!!!!! |
Voodoo1200 Member Posts: 59 From: Leander, Tx USA Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 12-26-2014 06:44 PM
Anyone have or know where I can find a Turbo Vent Tube for my Topping Atlas rockets? Please email me if you do voodoo1200@hotmail.com. Thanks.Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Retro Rocket Member Posts: 445 From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 02-10-2015 01:48 AM
Success! I have replaced the large decal on the Service Module and it looks pretty nice. A couple years ago I got a complete Topping Apollo in its original box. All the parts were there and the decals were in good shape but they were very yellow. I carefully measured each marking and created a set for the Command Module but that left the Service Module which is one big decal.A clear waterslide decal that big poses several problems. It's fragile and if not lined up correctly from the start, adjusting it could create tears and wrinkles. Also applying such a large clear decal without trapping a bunch of air bubbles underneath also is tricky, or so I thought. I wracked my brain thinking of what process could be used to get the alignment right, avoid trapping air, doing it in one shot. I thought, well Walt must have come up with an easy solution because a lot of these needed to be built and the last thing you'd want is a tough process with a high failure rate. Over the last few years I've been using very large decals and clear coats until I finally came up with a reliable system. But I hadn't been using large clear decals. Trapping air and the fragility of the clear decal sheet were the two biggest problems. When I solved the fragility problem it became easier to use a process to apply the wet decal in a way the nade sure it was placed correct, aligned and didn't trap air as it went on. It was actually really simple, I was shocked... it was like I figured out how the pyramids were built. I'm going to refine everything just a little, once I'm satisfied I'll be able to restore your Apollo. Since mine was complete I'll be able to mold a few parts and replicate the others in metal, like the Escape Tower Support and boosters. The base will be the trickiest since it's clear. I'll have to make a replica using clear urethane vs. acrylic. Here's a few preliminary shots, once I have the final version with the correct clear coat I'll take some better pics and show each part along with the cost, Thanks!
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Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-10-2015 11:57 AM
JP, the Hyatt CSM looks superb! Great job. I was wodering what the characteristics of the modern clear coat are compared to the "original" stuff that yellows pretty badly. Any idea? |
Tomy1 Member Posts: 179 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-07-2015 03:02 PM
Does anyone have a current email address for the gentleman(s) who can fabricate parts for the Grumman Lunar Module model? Thanks. |