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Author
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Topic: Dragon's 1:72 Apollo 17 CSM, LM and LRV (kit)
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cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-10-2012 09:13 PM
   
Dragon USA has listed its Apollo 17 1:72 "The Last J-Mission" kit (not a pre-built model). |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 05-10-2012 09:15 PM
I am definitely interested in purchasing the Apollo 17 model kit to super scale it. I am soon going to start creating modifications using milliput, Evergreen plastic, and Bare-Metal Foil. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 05-10-2012 09:16 PM
If those illustrations for the Apollo 17 kit are representative of the kit, it has some problems. It looks like this kit will have a SIM bay, but the SIM bay instruments were a bit different from mission to mission. It seems to also have the same weird TV antenna on the rover (I can't explain exactly what doesn't look right on it, but it does indeed look a bit odd to say the least).It better not be priced too high, or else more modelers might opt to just get the Apollo 11 versions and modify those instead with scratchbuilding or resin bits. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 05-10-2012 11:22 PM
On further looking, it might not be as bad as I feared. I checked my CSM references.The antennas on the CSM which were done on the diecast are actually more correct for Apollo 17 than 15 anyway (although replacing the HF antennas with music wire with plastic probably wouldn't be a bad idea). A photoetched VHF antenna would be a nice thing for it as well. The SIM bay piece itself is still a questionmark, but its the rear third of the bay that changed rather than the whole bay. Apollo 15 and 16 had about the same instrument loadout (and all three had the panoramic cameras with the film canister). Apollo 17 had some different stuff in that back part of the bay as related to the lunar sounder experiment. Other than the final section, the rest of the bays look about the same (although didn't one of the missions have two large booms extending from the bay?) So I may have been a little hasty. The rover antenna still looks a bit weird though. I guess I will need to buy one and give it a full review then. From what I gather, this will probably be the ONLY J Mission unbuilt kit that they do, so it will likely be the only thing out there for Apollos 15, 16 and 17. What I may end up doing is using the SIM bay piece to act as a template for scratching one in 1/48, so I can represent a film recovery spacewalk (probably Worden's since he did it first). |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 05-10-2012 11:57 PM
It is nice that the first production run includes the gold painted descent stage, however, I really don't care about that. I prefer the realistic appearance of metal foil. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 05-24-2012 09:43 AM
Wow, finally a plastic kit of a rover!!! When is this due? I love the idea of mission complete kits in this scale instead of 1/48th, as these will take up far less shelf space! |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 07-21-2012 08:10 AM
This has hit the coast everyone, all you modelers can get ready to get from your local or online hobby shop. I personally am looking forward to see what you do with this one. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-05-2012 03:32 PM
I purchased the Dragon Apollo 17 kit yesterday. The prepainted part included was the single descent stage. The other parts listed that were supposed to come prepainted were not. Has anyone else encountered this problem with the kit? |
sev8n
Member Posts: 233
From: Dallas TX USA
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 08-05-2012 05:40 PM
Ordered from spruebrothers.com, I should receive it Tuesday according to UPS tracking. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-05-2012 06:56 PM
You will like the kit. It looks great! Please let me know if the only pre-painted part is the main body of the descent stage. Thanks! |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-06-2012 12:07 AM
Mine is due to arrive this week. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-06-2012 06:15 PM
I got mine today, and yes, only the main part of the descent stage is gold. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-06-2012 09:37 PM
I called Dragon USA today and spoke to a gentleman in Customer Service. I also sent a photo of the contents of the Apollo 17 kit box so that he could send this info to the production manager in China. Apparently the production department made a bit of an error in packaging these kits. The complete LM Descent Stage was supposed to come pre-painted.Also, the color of the fenders on the LRV are supposed to be Gunze Sangyo Gloss Orange Yellow (GNZH024). I studied the instruction sheet and noticed that this detail was left out. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-06-2012 11:24 PM
Mine arrived today. The same thing with the LM. Do they want to hear from people who didn't get the correct "gold" ones?Otherwise, a quick look at the parts seem nice. I wish they had done the antenna on the LRV out of gold mesh like the CSM antenna. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 12:23 AM
Tracy, I agree about the LRV antenna, a photo etch antenna would look even better. I may need to figure out a way to fabricate one.If you would like to email Dragon's customer service department and let them know about not receiving the complete pre-painted parts for the LM Descent Stage their email is: dragoncare@dragonmodelsusa.com. The folks at Dragon are very helpful and will reply when they receive your message. It may be good if you contact Dragon and let them know that more than one buyer received the same incorrect kit contents. I will probably use gold foil or gold bare metal foil on my kit anyways. I guess if Dragon doesn't replace the parts that it is no big deal. |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 08-07-2012 12:52 AM
I would be more concerned about getting a full set of parts as opposed to if one was painted or not. Okay, I admit when the Gemini kit came out I was a little disappointed that it didn't come with the gold rear end as advertised (the second one I got had one). But all things considered, why would I want something gold painted when I don't have the exact paint shade to match it anyway when clipping it from the parts tree? As many small bits as has to be removed from the parts trees, they are going to look gold with gray sprue nubs anyway and if you use sanding sticks or files to take the seams off, they will end up needing repainting or foiling anyway.In the case of the LM descent stage, each LM had a little different coloring to the kapton foil layers used and the gold coloring I see Dragon using seems to be the same coloring across the board for everything. So it likely won't be quite right anyway. The paint work is little more than a semi-useless gimmick and one I wish Dragon would just set aside if it meant a slightly less expensive price for the kits (save the paint coloring for the pre-builds). |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 01:15 AM
You raise some valid points Jay. The reason that Dragon probably includes this limited run of pre-painted parts is because they are producing the diecast pre-built version of the model anyway and create a surplus of pre-painted parts to include with the first run of model kits. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 09:27 PM
By the time the MESA and other bays are added and cut out the hole that the LRV would leave, not much of the gold is left. And some of that needs to be black. |
sev8n
Member Posts: 233
From: Dallas TX USA
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 09:51 PM
Agree. I was hoping the rover quad on the descent stage would be "empty" but it will have to be modified to accurately depict a deployed rover. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 10:31 PM
I have been searching for some pictures of that quad after deployment on the Apollo Image Gallery. Haven't found any yet! Not too thrilled with the astronauts either. They look way too squat and would love two standing figures or two drivers. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-07-2012 11:13 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ronpur:
I have been searching for some pictures of that quad after deployment on the Apollo Image Gallery. Haven't found any yet!
There aren't any. I've looked for ages. Please, someone prove me wrong. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-07-2012 11:17 PM
I dropped a note to Dragon's Customer Service about the LM. No reply as of yet. If I don't hear something (or if all of you don't hear something) in a few days, I'll drop another note.Just a quick question, what color (other than something custom) would you paint the fenders on the LRV? Not quite orange - not quite copper. I wonder who decided these things at NASA? And, yes, a photo etch (or gold screen) antenna for the LRV would have been a nice touch. The one that came with EVA Models LRV (may Chris rest in peace - I miss him), was perfect - a pain to build - but perfect. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 11:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ronpur:
I have been searching for some pictures of that quad after deployment on the Apollo Image Gallery. Haven't found any yet!
I was watching HBO's "From the Earth to the Moon" tonight and was enjoying the last episode of the series about Apollo 17. There is a shot of Gene and Jack deploying the LRV. Take a look because if you pause it you get a view of the empty quad. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-07-2012 11:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by divemaster:
I dropped a note to Dragon's Customer Service about the LM. No reply as of yet.
I received an email reply yesterday from DragonCare and also spoke to them today with an unrelated question. The gentleman in customer service did mention that he received other emails in regards to the Apollo 17 kit.I inquired about Dragon's recommended color for the fenders on the LRV. It is supposed to be Gunze Sangyo Gloss Orange Yellow (GNZH024). I studied the instruction sheet and noticed that this detail was left out so I asked Dragon's Customer Service yesterday when I spoke with them. This color may be too bright and probably should be mixed with a darker color. I have never tried this so am really shooting from the hip in regards to the color blend.  |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-08-2012 12:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by divemaster:
There aren't any. I've looked for ages. Please, someone prove me wrong.
OK, I will give up now, even though thumbing through all of the photos was a lot of fun. quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
Take a look because if you pause it you get a view of the empty quad.
Good idea! I was actually watching the Apollo 17 Spacecraft Films in the hope of seeing something! |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-08-2012 04:49 PM
Just discovered i a missing the big antenna that goes behind the SIM bay... quite bummed by this and sent an email to DragonCare. I hope they can replace it. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-08-2012 05:00 PM
I think that you are talking about the high-gain antenna. DragonCare will replace it. They are very helpful when it comes to replacing missing or damaged parts. |
arjuna
unregistered
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posted 08-08-2012 11:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by divemaster:
And, yes, a photo etch (or gold screen) antenna for the LRV would have been a nice touch. The one that came with EVA Models LRV (may Chris rest in peace - I miss him), was perfect - a pain to build - but perfect.
That is a great idea, and hopefully someone who knows how to do PE will decide there's a market for it.
|
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-09-2012 05:37 PM
Dragoncare replied today and asked me to share the following Apollo 17 kit information with the collectSPACE membership: Thank you for your patience. DML has just confirmed with us that regrettably there was a printing error on the DRA-11015 kit's box. The pre-painted part included in the kit is only part that they planned to provide, respectively.We apologize for any inconvenience caused. |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-09-2012 08:35 PM
Not that big a deal to me, since most of it was covered or painted black. I would have rather had a chrome CM! |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-09-2012 08:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ronpur:
I would have rather had a chrome CM!
Chrome Bare Metal Foil will look great if you use it on the CM. Do you know the pattern for placing the foil strips on the CM?
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the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-09-2012 11:16 PM
Does anyone know if you can buy a very thin sheet of metal (brass?) that looks like a very fine grill or mesh (small holes) from K&S or anywhere else?I would like to scratch-build an antenna for the 1/72 LRV that is included in the Apollo 17 kit. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-10-2012 01:03 AM
DML has just confirmed with us that regrettably there was a printing error on the DRA-11015 kit's box. The pre-painted part included in the kit is only part that they planned to provide, respectively. Which means? |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-10-2012 01:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
Does anyone know if you can buy a very thin sheet of metal (brass?) that looks like a very fine grill or mesh (small holes) from K&S or anywhere else?
I would bet there there's something at a place like Michael's that you can use (there's also sorts of good stuff in that store) that, if it doesn't come in gold, you can spray gold. I've seen that screening before (though in large rolls), but, for the life of me, I can't remember where I saw it. Perhaps a Google search might help? There's even that plastic screen door patch stuff that you can use. It might be a bit out of scale, but in something that small, it won't be too noticeable. I think that the plastic version with the kit is out of scale anyway. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-10-2012 01:08 AM
quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
Do you know the pattern for placing the foil strips on the CM?
That pattern is on the sheets from David Weeks (available through RealSpace Models) and, instead of attempting to cut strips, you can scribe them with a hobby knife. It's a great cheat. |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-10-2012 01:48 AM
quote:
Originally posted by divemaster:
Which means?
I believe that what we have is what we are going to get. It appears that Dragon's marketing and manufacturing had a little miscommunication. quote:
I would bet there there's something at a place like Michael's that you can use (there's also sorts of good stuff in that store) that, if it doesn't come in gold, you can spray gold.
Thanks Tracy! I will take a trip over to Michael's to look for some materials. I just looked on Lowe's website and they sell a 3" by 3" screen patch kit for around $3. Do you think that this will work? How do I cut it? |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-10-2012 03:47 AM
For three bucks, cut it, spray it, take a look at it and make a decision.
I still think that mesh was part of a filter system somewhere. quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
I believe that what we have is what we are going to get.
Time to get out the gold candy wrappers again? |
the clocks running
Member Posts: 382
From: Rochester, NY
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 08-10-2012 04:01 AM
Since I am still fairly new to scratch building and kit bashing, which candy bars have the gold foil that is perfect for the LM Kapton? |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 08-10-2012 09:09 AM
As for the mesh, you can also buy a really cheap strainer/sifter at a place like Bed, Bath and Beyond, cut out the appropriate sized piece, spray it gold, and there's your antenna dish. quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
Since I am still fairly new to scratch building and kit bashing, which candy bars have the gold foil that is perfect for the LM Kapton?
There was a debate on the right colors years ago on some modeling list. It was actually pretty funny when it came down to certain candy not being available in certain parts of the country, let alone around the world. If you want to get THAT exact as to different shades of foil, you might as well buy the real thing. |
sev8n
Member Posts: 233
From: Dallas TX USA
Registered: Jul 2012
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posted 08-10-2012 04:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by the clocks running:
Since I am still fairly new to scratch building and kit bashing, which candy bars have the gold foil that is perfect for the LM Kapton?
This is a research project worth conducting on your own. Bon Appetit but watch those calories... |
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