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Author
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Topic: Michael Key's 3D printed models, dioramas
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keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 10-19-2013 03:42 PM
   
Thanks for the compliments everyone, and thanks to you Steve for the nice words on my design. You are a true professional and are very gifted in your craft! Steve and I are working on some more projects together, so be on the lookout for those in the near future. |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 10-20-2013 09:59 PM
This model is a bit of a departure from the 3D printed models that I have been producing lately. This is a 1:2 scale Lunar Module landing gear replica. The model represents the portion of the landing gear that contains the lunar plaque — the primary focus of the display. The components of this display are made from solid wood. The landing gear is a 3" wooden post, and the ladder is made from wooden dowels that have been hand sculpted to replicate the real shape of the steps. They were sanded smooth and painted with Alclad to simulate the real metal finish of the real ladder.The real highlight of this model is the foil. Through a contact of mine, I was able to obtain some real Kapton foil from a current Lunar Module restoration project. The foil paper that I had on this before looked nice, but the Kapton foil really made this model come to life! The plaque is printed on a similar finish metallic plastic as the 1:24 SM skin that I produced some time back, and simulates the brushed chrome of the real thing.  
If you would like to see more pictures of the finished display, as well as some progress pics, see here. This is the first model in a series of replicas called "Hands On" Apollo, in which I will be building replicas that represent components that the Apollo astronauts would use or be in close proximity to during their mission. More of these type replicas coming very soon. As always, comments are welcome. Thanks! |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 10-21-2013 04:27 AM
Very cool display! |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 867
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-21-2013 10:47 PM
You do GREAT looking work!!! |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 10-21-2013 11:01 PM
Wow, that is cool! You could sell those plaques! |
history in miniature
Member Posts: 600
From: Slatington, PA
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 10-22-2013 11:44 AM
Very nice Michael, I like the fact that you used real Kapton for the covering. |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 10-22-2013 08:26 PM
Outstanding! With 3D printing, we're seeing a whole new range of what sort of replicas are possible, and Michael is right at the cutting edge. Well done! |
Retro Rocket
Member Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 10-23-2013 02:59 PM
Great work! That's a good idea, keep 'em coming. |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 10-23-2013 06:19 PM
Thanks for the kind words everyone! Burke, no 3D printing on this one - it's all hand cut and sanded out of wood. I looked into 3D printing this one, but it was way too expensive because of the size of the parts. JP, I definitely have more of these type models coming!Ronpur, if you or anyone else is interested in obtaining one of the 1:2 plaques, I have a couple of extras. I printed up Apollo 11 and 17 plaques, so just let me know if anyone would like one. Also, I could have these printed in full scale as well if there is any interest. They aren't curved like the real ones were - they are flat. They are beautiful little pieces in themselves! |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 10-23-2013 09:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by keymichael1855:
...if you or anyone else is interested in obtaining one of the 1:2 plaques, I have a couple of extras. I printed up Apollo 11 and 17 plaques, so just let me know if anyone would like one.
I'm interested in a 1:2 flat one for 17 (I think I read that correctly - the extras you have are flat[?]). Will send you a separate email. |
FlyAndFight
Member Posts: 16
From: Miami, FL
Registered: Jun 2013
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posted 10-24-2013 10:14 AM
Michael, I've been away from the website for a while and am catching up on the posts and found your amazing works of art. The RCS displays as well as the LEM Ladder display are simply unbelievable. Wow!Alexander |
Meademan
Member Posts: 24
From: Gatwick, West Sussex, UK
Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 10-24-2013 05:47 PM
Incredible.That 1:1 RCS motor is outstanding. Reading the posts, Steve has made excellent work of the head unit and the engine bell simply looks 'used'! It's the best One I've seen yet. I still think its amazing that you can now have a 1:1 replica of such a recognisable part of the Apollo/Saturn hardware sat on your shelf or in a display case. Only a few tears ago, things like this simply didnt exist, so full credit to you both on such a nice model. As for the ladder display, that looks great as well. The lunar earth rise back drop really sets it off nicely and it's hard to believe that the ladder itself isn't real metal. You've made a really nice job of that as well. Now all I need to do is make some more space for all this stuff! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 11-11-2013 04:23 PM
Here is another joint build between Steve Nichols and myself — a 1:32 scale F-1 engine diorama. I had been wanting to do another diorama with my 3D printed F-1 engine, so I asked Steve if he would be willing to help me with the build. I tasked him with painting the F-1, and he did a beautiful job — thanks Steve! He also painted the skirt and fin aluminum. I built the display base, painted and detailed the S-1C thrust structure, and did the final assembly. The F-1 is held in place by strong magnets, so the engine can be displayed on its own as well. The 1:32 scale figures really help to show just how large this engine actually was!  
More pictures can be seen here. This beautiful display is available, so if anyone is interested, please let me know. And as always, comments are welcome. Thanks! |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 11-11-2013 08:15 PM
Beautiful!! |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 11-11-2013 11:28 PM
Love it, great work! |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 11-12-2013 02:56 AM
Very nice done by you both!!!! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 11-18-2013 07:54 AM
Thanks for the kind words on the F-1 diorama everyone! It found a home in a fellow cS member's collection, so it is no longer available. By the way, I built two of the 1:2 Lunar Module landing gear displays that you can see at the top of this page. I built Apollo 11 and 17. Apollo 11 has been sold, but Apollo 17 is available. Just send me an email if you are interested. Thanks! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 12-08-2013 05:19 PM
This is the release #2 in my "Hands On" Apollo series that I have been working on, focusing on components that the astronauts would use or be in close proximity to during their mission. This is a 1:1 scale Apollo Command Module EVA handle replica. This was produced from my 3D printed model of the handle that I created from scratch. I spent a lot of time prepping and priming this model, and it was given a flawless Alclad paint job by Steve Nichols — thanks Steve!!!It has been mounted on a base with simulated Mylar strips to put it into a realistic context. The handle has two small disks installed on the bottom portion. In doing research for the model, I found an article here on cS describing how the handles had glow in the dark disks to help the astronauts find them in low or no light situations. The real disks were made from radioactive material, but these are made using glow in the dark paint. There were at least two different sizes of handles, and this one represents the smaller size that would've been located on the outside of the hatch.  
More pics can be seen here. Comments are welcome. Thanks! |
Jeff
Member Posts: 474
From: Fayetteville, NC, USA
Registered: May 2009
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posted 12-08-2013 06:49 PM
Michael, absolutely stunning job once again... and Steve your contribution is flawless as always. Museum quality without a doubt.
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apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 12-08-2013 11:12 PM
Very nice job you done both, looks very real!!!! |
FlyAndFight
Member Posts: 16
From: Miami, FL
Registered: Jun 2013
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posted 12-11-2013 03:33 PM
Another wonderfully unique work of art. |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-11-2013 06:37 PM
Looks great! |
apollolem
Member Posts: 14
From: Novi, MI USA
Registered: May 2013
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posted 12-11-2013 11:28 PM
Michael, your models are incredible! I thoroughly enjoy following your builds.Just curious, is that a print of the Roman Colosseum I see hanging on the wall in your photos? |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 12-12-2013 10:55 AM
Thanks for the nice words about the handle everyone! apollolem, yes, that is a print of the Roman Colosseum hanging on the wall. Besides being a space nut, I've had a longtime interest in sports stadiums and arenas. I got that print off of ebay about 10 or 12 years ago. It's really old, and I believe that it is a lithograph. My background is in 3D architectural illustration, so I loved the tremendous detail and depth in the print. I'm glad I snagged it, because I've never seen another like it! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 02-28-2014 07:45 AM
So when I was building the LM plaque/ladder/landing gear display a few months back, I had a printed background of the "Earthrise" left over. I wanted to put it to good use, so I came up with a display that is very similar to the last one, but focuses on the lower part of the LM and Neil's first step. This display is made with a combination of 3D printed parts, styrene, wood, and clay. Many thanks to Steve Nichols for building the footprint clay base that brought it all together. 
More photos can be seen here. As always, comments are welcome. Thanks! |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 02-28-2014 03:07 PM
Another winner! Nice work. |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-28-2014 03:17 PM
Very nice Michael!! Nice item. |
AussiePete
Member Posts: 104
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 02-28-2014 10:48 PM
Just purchased some 1/3 RCS and housing. Will post them up when finished. Thanks for providing this service Michael. |
AussiePete
Member Posts: 104
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 02-28-2014 11:04 PM
Wow. Fantastic work.
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apollolem
Member Posts: 14
From: Novi, MI USA
Registered: May 2013
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posted 03-02-2014 01:12 AM
Absolutely beautiful, a true work of art. |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-17-2014 08:18 PM
A friend of mine requested that I design him a fully detailed 1:48 scale SLA for a scratch built Saturn V and S1B that he was working on. In order to test the fit and detailing, I ordered a test piece from Shapeways. When it fit, I paired it up with my 1:48 BPC/LES combo and made a nice launch stack. It is very similar to Dragon's Apollo 9, but much larger and much more detailed. It's a very simple piece, but impressive with its larger size. Comments are welcome.Also, in case you might be interested in a fully detailed 1:72 scale SLA, along with a fully detailed instrument unit, check out this thread for more information.  
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AussiePete
Member Posts: 104
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 03-17-2014 08:49 PM
Looks great. |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 03-17-2014 11:25 PM
Very cool! |
AussiePete
Member Posts: 104
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 03-18-2014 09:20 AM
Received my first Michael Key 3D part today. 1/6 RCS and housing. Amazing detail. 
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apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-18-2014 09:20 AM
On what way you have let it print, high detail frost? |
AussiePete
Member Posts: 104
From: Adelaide, South Australia
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 03-18-2014 09:20 AM
I think it was the default option. |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-18-2014 09:21 AM
Pete, glad that you received your first batch and that they look good to you! Beautiful camera work too — this material is very difficult to photograph.Pascal, this is definitely Frosted Ultra Detail, as this is the only material that is capable of details at this size. This model is only about 2 inches tall (56 mm)! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 03-25-2014 04:38 PM
After a good friend of mine, and fellow cS member, saw the 1:32 scale F-1 diorama that I completed a few months back, he asked me to build him a model that I haven't built in about 4 or 5 years — the Apollo F-1 Full Stack Mirror Display. This is the fourth one of these that I have built, and the first since I've known about really high quality metal paints. Of all of the things that I've produced, this has to be my favorite.From the front view, it doesn't look like much:  But when viewed at just the right angle, something magical happens!  
This is 1:40 scale, and was inspired by the large scale (1:1 I think) version that lives in the National Air and Space Museum. Thanks, as always, to my friend Steve Nichols for his help on the engines for the build. Comments are welcome — thanks! |
Retro Rocket
Member Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 03-25-2014 05:26 PM
Fantastic! Mirrors are a great way of displaying and tricking the eye, it works great at NASM! Works here too! I used the mirror trick to make a X-43B-TBCC model look like it had a full interior. Only half is built the mirror is right down the center.I need to get some time to build another 48th Saturn V and use Michael's parts! |
apolloprojeckt
Member Posts: 1447
From: Arnhem, Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-25-2014 05:42 PM
Looks great the mirror idea!!! |
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