Author
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Topic: Nick Proach (SpaceModel.com) space models
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Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-22-2005 11:59 PM
Well, I went and done it. My Christmas present for 2005 will probably arrive sometime in March 2006 because I ordered one of Nick Proach's 8' tall Saturn V rockets. Call me devoted to the space hobby or call me something else (Freudian jokes aside, please), but this is certainly one great leap for my collection. I'm 6'5" tall myself but this will be a full foot and a half above my upper hairline! |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 11-23-2005 09:17 AM
Congrats on the purchase, you will love it! Nick is working on my 1/48 Shuttle stack now. I already have the 1/48 Saturn V and I just love it. I did have Nick detail it up with David Weeks drawings and it was well worth the extra money! The shuttle will complete the manned launcher series for me, it took a few years to get it done but well worth the wait! |
Moonpaws Member Posts: 685 From: Lee's summit, MO Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 11-23-2005 10:16 AM
Steve, sounds like it is big enough to add a few working engines and strap yourself to it. If you somehow have a lapse of sanity, please have someone send photos of liftoff and splashdown. |
Michael Davis Member Posts: 528 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 11-23-2005 01:12 PM
Steve, I'm fascinated by this. How do you plan to display the model? Will it be enclosed or just sitting in the living room? I struggle with the one and half foot Saturn V I have and am wondering just where I would put an eight foot version... |
Glint Member Posts: 1040 From: New Windsor, Maryland USA Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 11-23-2005 02:22 PM
quote: Originally posted by mslekar: The Shuttle will complete the manned launcher series for me, it took a few years to get it done but well worth the wait!
Mike, that's just fabulous. The manned launchers I've seen on the website include - Mercury-Redstone
- Mercury-Atlas
- Gemini-Titan II
- Apollo-Saturn 1B
- Apollo-Saturn V
- STS
That's quite a collection! Are they all in 1/48 scale too? Would love to see a pic of your collection. |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 11-23-2005 03:07 PM
Thanks, yes they are all in 1/48th scale and all sit in my den (the wife makes sure they stay there). I'll post some pics next week I took of all the collection. I had Nick detail most of them up as well. In fact the pics on Nick's website are mine, including my cameo with the Saturn 1B. The 1/48th shuttle will be huge. |
Jake Member Posts: 464 From: Issaquah, WA U.S.A. Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 11-23-2005 04:25 PM
I have been building up a collection of 1/100 spacecraft, and have several by Nick. The Skylab is the best! I also have his Mercury Redstone, Atlas, and Gemini Titan.Congrats on deciding to get the rocket. It is always a great day when one of his pieces of work arrives at the door! |
Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-12-2005 12:19 AM
Michael, I have an upstairs "gallery" capable of accommodating up to a 25 foot tall item if necessary! I'm also looking into a Saturn IB. |
Michael Davis Member Posts: 528 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-12-2005 07:36 AM
Hmm, just about enough height for a full scale LM... I wonder if Nick would work on one of those.
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Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-12-2005 12:03 PM
The sad thing is that Nick's the only one out there capable of manufacturing Saturn V's these days.... |
Michael Davis Member Posts: 528 From: Houston, Texas Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 12-12-2005 03:17 PM
Okay, I'm fascinated by owning a model this large. I may consider it. Are they relatively fragile? Does Nick provide a packing case that would make it practical to move them latter? How are they shipped so that they don't break in transit?The whole process from the materials used to the display is a different world for me. I'll look more closely at his website, but would love to know some practical info from anyone who has already invested in the Saturn V. Owning this would be much, much better than the Revell 1/96 Saturn V that I screwed up so badly on building as a kid. |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 12-13-2005 07:45 AM
Nick's Saturn V is made of various materials, heavy duty tubing, wood, and resins. The model paint job is very high quality, basically car paint, which will not chip or fade. The 1/48th scale can be bumped and will withstand more than you would think. Mine came very expertly packed in a heavy duty wooden crate with foams and bubble wraps on the inside. Nick has shipped many items to me, none have ever been damaged. |
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-13-2005 09:27 AM
Nick has done several models for me which includes the Launch Utility Tower in 1/144 scale with a Saturn V model. It is seen on my website under models.Nick is currently working on a Saturn 1B, N1 and a few other models. Nick has been very reliable over the years for me and reliability counts when it comes to modelmaking companies. Some model companies make promises or take on commissions that they cannot deliver on. If you commission Nick to build a model, then it gets completed and expertly shipped in museum quality containers. |
Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 12-14-2005 12:18 AM
Michael, I have to default to what was stated just above about the materials and shipping of the big Saturn V. I discussed it all with Nick over the phone before ordering and that seems to conform to what we discussed. This will be my eighth Nick Proach model, most of which are now 5 years old. Many are now also signed by various astronauts after three straight UACC shows! It's now almost a cliche to say that no one beats Nick's quality nor the time it takes to get the finished product. I would not however invest the funds required for the big Saturn were I concerned about the quality of the finished product. Heck, even his 1/144th launch complex costs as much! |
Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 06-21-2006 04:15 PM
My 1/48th Saturn from Nick Proach was delivered this morning. It came in a large, 125 pound wooden crate via UPS Supply Chain Solutions, taking 8 days to get to Virginia from BC, Canada.I took nearly an hour just opening, removing, and wiping off the various pieces as Nick warned me ahead of time to be gentle. The entire assembly is just over 8 feet tall, and it came in 6 pieces, plus the four first stage fins. It weighs about 40 pounds. |
collocation Member Posts: 383 From: McLean, VA, USA Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 06-22-2006 08:53 AM
Does this model come apart, what is the price range for a piece like this and will you get it insured? |
Machodoc Member Posts: 207 From: DE Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 06-22-2006 10:37 AM
The model came in six pieces, plus the four fins on the first stage. It lists for $4,500 plus shipping (which ain't cheap), and no it isn't insured on a stand alone basis because I have an umbrella policy. |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 06-24-2006 04:43 PM
Congrats, now have Nick finish the line with the other four launchers and the 1/48th shuttle stack! It took me about 5 years to get the full collection from Nick and I love it. Thank God I have an understanding wife! |
divemaster Member Posts: 1376 From: ridgefield, ct Registered: May 2002
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posted 06-24-2006 07:37 PM
Now I don't feel so bad about the price of ABS tubing for the (eventual) 1/48 scratch build that I've been saying that "I'll get around to it one of these days."All you need is the matching 1/48 scale LC-39 to go with it! |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 12-31-2007 01:32 PM
I thought some of you would be interested in some pics. It took over 5 years and a lot of patience but Nick does deliver and his work is outstanding. Mike |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 12-31-2007 02:48 PM
Dang! That is one BIG collection there and they all look great! So what was the final bill tally for these monsters? I am curious as to how he did the orbiter for the shuttle as well since I know of no kit in that scale, just desktop models mainly. |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 12-31-2007 02:55 PM
Well the final tally is a lot, about the cost of a used car. Thank goodness for an understanding wife! The models were actually a little more than the regular price since I had Nick detail them up with David Weeks drawing and the shuttle is super detailed as well. The orbiter I know he orders from the Phillipines, it's wood and unfinished. Nick paints it and does all the vinyl work himself to match whatever flight you want. I had him do that stack as Return to Flight STS-114. Nick will be putting a bunch of close ups on it up soon on his website. It is probably the best of all the pieces I have from him. |
ejectr Member Posts: 1751 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 12-31-2007 05:57 PM
I love that Mercury Atlas. Great collection! |
slk6517 Member Posts: 27 From: sheboygan, WI. USA Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 01-03-2008 12:43 AM
I am considering on placing an order with Nick Proach, for one of the shuttles, most likely with opening bay doors, however, I read here that the shuttles were made of wood, and Nick basically just paints them?I was under the impression that all his models were handmade by him and made of materials such as resin, metal etc.? I've mailed his site many times with questions, but sadly never received any responses yet, probably too busy, looking forward to some insight on the above though |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 01-03-2008 09:36 AM
Nick uses the wood shuttles (just the orbiters) from the Philippines with both doors and ones without doors. Everything else he builds is hand made from scratch with molds and tubes. He repaints them and details them with vinyl numbering etc. They come out much better and more detailed. |
Docdrew Member Posts: 25 From: Scottsdale, AZ Registered: Aug 2013
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posted 05-18-2014 12:57 PM
The Space Store has a 1/48 Saturn V model available for $6995. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has one or has seen one in person concerning the quality of the product. Thanks.Editor's note: Threads merged. The model offered by The Space Store is provided by Nick Proach. |
Jay Chladek Member Posts: 2272 From: Bellevue, NE, USA Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 05-20-2014 03:47 AM
I've seen Nick's 1/48 Saturn V models in the flesh and they are first rate. He tailor makes them to specific missions from the configuration of the ullage motors between stages 1 and 2 to whether or not the CSM has a SIM bay (not to mention the specific paint pattern and lettering variations on the stages). Plus he also offers a Skylab Saturn V version as well. If you have the coin to spring for one of these, you will not be disappointed. |
mode1charlie Member Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 05-20-2014 01:34 PM
Having just seen Nick's booth at Spacefest VI, where one could admire the 1:48 Saturn V up close, I concur with Jay's endorsement. Nick does first-rate stuff. |
moonguyron Member Posts: 191 From: Trinity, FL USA Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 05-20-2014 03:08 PM
I purchased, years ago, Nick's third 1:48 Saturn V. I also have the Redstone, Atlas and Titan in the same scale. That really shows the size difference. I traveled with the model to several venues and have pictures with Stafford, Cernan, Mitchell, Bean,and Chris Kraft among others. It was easy to make a cradle to transport the model in the SUV. It comes in basically three pieces. My last model from Nick was Surveyor 3 in 1:6th scale to go with my astronaut models. A lot of work in that one and it was more expensive than the Saturn. |
mslekar Member Posts: 100 From: Eagle,Idaho Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 05-20-2014 05:34 PM
I would add, those pics above are of my collection, Nick builds them to last! They are all as perfect and in mint condition still, since the day I got them. |