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1/72 Airfix Lunar Lander |
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"The Eagle has landed" - 20th July 1969 |
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Here is my second attempt at a Lunar Lander (the first being mumble years ago). I bought the kit at Fairford 2003, as it was going cheap, £2.99, and it fitted nicely into my loose modelling theme of 'unique aviation moments'. I had already decided that I was going to cover it in gold foil, but needed more details. Justin Davenport put me onto this brilliant site that contained a whole host of information on how to build a representative Lunar Lander from the very basic and inaccurate Airfix kit. Thanks Justin.
Then came all the 'stretched sprue' bits. Well I can't stretch sprue - melt it, snap it, set fire to it, YES, all to easily. So I used 0.8mm strut for the flame guard supports and handrails.
Next I began to tackle the long list of mods required to correct the ascent stage.
It was at this point that I realised that tiny bits of detail, even in 1/72 scale can be done and are worth it for the effect they can have on the final model. I nearly didn't bother with the docking ring mods, but being so visible on top of the kit the extra effort has transformed it from a cone of plastic into a docking ring and the model is much better looking for it.
At about this time I came across a photo in 'New Scientist' which showed all those flimsy panels on the back of the ascent stage. So out came the thin sheet and on went some bent panelling. Again, a small thing but it transformed the look of the model. The top aerial in the shot above was a hopelessly thick molding in the kit. So I used some 0.8mm strut and toothbrush bristles to make a new one. Then came some more foil, about 25 peices for the ascent stage. The painted panels were hand brushed using Humbrol enamels; good old Matt Black #33, Silver #11, Chrome Silver #191 and Ivory #41 for the off white panels. Other extra bits added were some 1/35 scale washers to represent external lights. (Also very useful as static vents - both sides - on EH101 kits). All 3 windows had to be scratch built, as the two kit windows were badly dimpled. A large Quality Street tub came in handy for that (More chocolate :o)). Some antenna supports, and the leg wires and equipment bay door support were made from 'tinsel' wire I got from a fly fishing stall at a country show. Finally the 'solar panels' were painted red and then a coat of Tamiya clear blue applied to give that glossy purple look. If any model needed a base it was this one. I painted a polystyrene tile black, dimpled it with my hands and elbows to make craters (bit too shallow though I think) and used PVA to stick on some crushed wood ash to get that dusty grey look. Then I set up the low lighting and tried to take some shots 'on the moon'.
I know there are still things wrong/missing, but having recently seen photos of the one in the Smithsonian I am very pleased with the model. It looks great on the shelf and the ommisions remind me to keep trying that little bit harder. As a final thought. It was only 66 years from the Wright brothers giant leaps to Neil Armstrong's one small step ..... and that step was 35 years ago. Cheers Grant
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Photos and text © by Grant Matthews
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