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Author
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Topic: Post-flight color of the Apollo command module
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kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 07-28-2014 10:45 AM
  
This is a good question for the experienced modelers out there. I'm trying to figure out the color of the post flight outside hull of the Apollo command module, like you would see in the museums, after they are cleaned up for display. Maybe someone knows what color the hull was before the mylar tape was applied. I'm building a 1/32 scale Apollo CM to look like one of the Apollo CMs on display and it's driving me nuts trying to mix color. Is there an existing Testor's color that's close? I know the hull varies in shade, probably from the cleaning process, but I don't know if I'm good enough with the air brush to even attempt that look! Any ideas? |
GrantV
Member Posts: 28
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 07-28-2014 11:51 AM
I'm going from memory here, but the Apollo 14 CM at Kennedy Space Center was varied stages of beigish grey (I'd have to check my photos when I get home). By mixing various browns, tans, grey and white together, you might be able to get a close replication of the colour. Another possibility is after laying down a base colour, work the surface with oil paint to give a more subtle differentiation of the shading.The surface also appeared rougher (almost pebbled), which you might want to consider through an application of something like Mr. Surfacer. Let me know if you want me to post/ send the pictures I have. |
Tom Dahl
Member Posts: 33
From: MA, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 07-28-2014 12:02 PM
Here is an album of photographs I captured a couple of years ago of Apollo 12's Command Module as displayed in the Virginia Air and Space Center.Some photos were taken with flash, other with available light during the day. Perhaps they will be useful for color-matching and blending experiments. |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 07-28-2014 12:11 PM
That happens to be the Apollo CM I'm using as a model for mine. I'm going to add EVA handles and a CM hatch, but that's the CM that you can get pretty close to and get photos from top to bottom. Depending on light, the color goes from an almost rust to an amber color. |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 07-28-2014 01:03 PM
I don't know if it would be helpful to you or not, but I'm currently working on a 3D printed model of the parachute section of the CM in 1:96 and 1:32nd scale. I should have them finished later this week. Here is a screen shot of the progress so far: It looks like Tom provided some great pictures of the Yankee Clipper, but I have some additional ones if you need them from my visit to the VASC. Best of luck in your build! |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 07-28-2014 02:01 PM
Wow that's going to be nice, I just might have to re-think what I have started and indulge myself in your 3D parachute section. A few photos of where I'm at with this: 
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Planetary
Member Posts: 24
From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Registered: May 2013
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posted 07-29-2014 03:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by keymichael1855:
I'm currently working on a 3D printed model of the parachute section of the CM in 1:96 and 1:32nd scale.
It would be nice to do the forward end of the CM in 1/72 scale as well for the Dragon kit(s). |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 07-29-2014 05:42 PM
Tom (kosmo), that's actually some really nice scratch building so far — I'm impressed! The beauty of my part, though, is that it will show a lot of the smaller details that would be very difficult to scratch build without spending a LOT of time with VERY small parts. I'm always amazed at the amount of detail that I get from the Shapeways prints, so I expect this one to come out great as well. quote:
Originally posted by Planetary:
It would be nice to do the forward end of the CM in 1/72 scale as well for the Dragon kit(s).
It won't be any problem to scale the forward end up from 1:96 to 1:72 for the Dragon kits. I'll post links to all of them when I get it completed in a couple of days. Thanks! |
keymichael1855
Member Posts: 176
From: Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2012
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posted 09-05-2014 08:24 PM
Sorry it has taken a few weeks, but I wanted to have an in-hand print of the CM parachute section before I posted again. I finished up the CAD model, and here is how it looked: The model came in yesterday, and it looks fantastic! I'm always amazed that the printers at Shapeways can achieve such fine detail. Here are a few shots of it after a coat of gray primer:  
Here is the model on Shapeways. If anyone has any questions, just let me know. Thanks! |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 09-05-2014 08:56 PM
Great stuff, Michael! |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 09-25-2014 10:36 AM
Wow, that looks great! Still working on mine, getting tired of handling it, this is what I have so far. Also, does anyone know where I can get small decal letters and numbers in black and white about 1/32 scale?  
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MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-25-2014 01:16 PM
Wow, I will start following this thread. Very nice, detailed stuff!!  |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 10-19-2014 07:27 AM
Just finished the 1/32 scale Apollo CM parachute compartment, thought it would be better to post photos here. |
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