Martin space art: 3

 aircraft, awesomeness, models, projects, science fiction, spacecraft  8 Responses »
Jul 292009
 

Another bit of Martin Corp. aerospace artwork from the late 1950’s/very early 1960’s. This time showing aircraft (and perhaps spacecraft) with “saucer wings.” These have been described in secondary sources as being atomic or “photon” powered. Shrug. The canard equipped one, second from bottom, looks like it has a copy of the bridge of the Starship Enterprise dead center, with a glass ceiling… though it’s probably supposed to represent the powerplant (“atomic pile?” “Fusion reactor?” “Warp core?”). No further data on my end. If anyone has anything definitive, I’d like to see it.

image2.jpg

I did have some discussions with Fantastic Plastic about kitting one of these designs. The desire was to kit it at 1/288 scale; but there are no good scale references here. The best that was come up with was to scale the cockpit canopy, and through similarity with a contemporary known design, come up with a vehicle size. What was produced was this:

compare.jpg

Needless to say, it was determined that there were other designs for Fantastic Plastic to tackle.

 Posted by at 7:50 pm

Orion in scale

 APR, awesomeness, drawings, models, nukes, projects, science, science fiction, spacecraft  14 Responses »
Jul 272009
 

Here’s the collection of Orion vehicles I built in CAD for APR issue V2N2 , all in scale. The Battleship which is currently being prepped for physical modeling is the fourth from the left on the bottom row. Far right on the bottom is the “Archangel Michael” from Niven & Pournelle’s “Footfall,” as drawn by Aldo Spadoni. Creating this model in the same 1/288 scale as the battleship would certainly be possible, but it’d be fargin *expensive* (probably around $200 as a limited-run resin & fiberglass kit). However, if anyone is interested in this as a kit, let me know via commenting below. If anyone is interested in contracting to have this made especially for you in whatever scale, let me know via email:

orioncollect.jpg

 Posted by at 11:12 pm

XAB progress: now with maneuverability

 aircraft, models, nukes  No Responses »
Jul 252009
 

Not a whole lot of progress today; spent most of the day in Logan picking up my (hopefully) fixed camera. Going to try some long exposure shots tonight and see if they really did fix it. But the XAB and its fighters now have crude control surfaces. These will be finished up on the physical model. Having these features present on the CAD model will, however, assure that everything is lined up and symmetrical.
xab2009-07-25a.jpg  xab2009-07-25b.jpg  xab2009-07-25c.jpg  xab2009-07-25d.jpg  xab2009-07-25e.jpg

 Posted by at 8:32 pm

Found on eBay: Apollo models

 eBay, models, spacecraft  1 Response »
Jul 242009
 

Some vintage display models of some less obscure vehicles:

<>Abort motor and boost protective cover model: Apollo vintage model- Command Module with Escape Tower bwqu1oqbgkkgrhgoh-d0ejlllvkv2bkyinrvsq_3.jpeg bwqubkqb2kkgrhgoh-dsejlll0bvjbkyiltofw_3.jpeg bwquo2gbmkkgrhgoh-c4ejlllzvvhbkyimeyquq_3.jpeg bwquovg2kkgrhgoh-diejlllul7ebkyilckmiw_3.jpeg

—

Block 1 Apollo Command and Service Modules with Abort tower: VINTAGE TOPPING NASA APOLLO SPACECRAFT DESK SPACE MODEL

topa1.jpeg topa2.jpeg topa3.jpeg topa5.jpeg topa6.jpeg topa7.jpeg topa8.jpeg topa9.jpeg topa10.jpeg topa11.jpeg topa12.jpeg topa13.jpeg topa14.jpeg topa15.jpeg topa16.jpeg topa17.jpeg topa18.jpeg topa19.jpeg topa20.jpeg topa21.jpeg topa22.jpeg topa23.jpeg topa24.jpeg topa25.jpeg topa26.jpeg

—–

Small Lunar Module model: Lunar Module 4 inch Contractor Model LM – RARE Apollo

286340984_o.jpeg  286341031_o.jpeg  286341061_o.jpeg  286341105_o.jpeg  286341140_o.jpeg  286341186_o.jpeg  286341322_o.jpeg

 Posted by at 3:10 am

Found on eBay: Apollo 1966 Space Ship Desk Model General Dynamics

 eBay, models, spacecraft  No Responses »
Jul 242009
 

Well that’s… huh. Exactly the same thing as the *last* eBay item I posted. What are the odds that two of the very same, extremely obscure display models of the 1961 General Dynamics M-1 lunar spacecraft would come up at the same time (and listed with the exact same title with the same wrong year)?

FROM AN OLD TEXAS ESTATE, UP FOR AUCTION: back in the mid- 70-S I purchased this hand built scratch model of a lunar take off vehicle by General Dynamics Corp, made sometime circa mid 1960s. Created for the department heads and certain persons directly involved with this particular aspect of this particular space program. Not ever offered for public or private sale, Wood and aluminum, this is not your standard plastic desk model. Approx. H: 18.5″ . The approx. dia: 4.75″. There is some normal wear and some light paint flaking as shown, BUT OVERALL THIS IS A GREAT MODEL, and one not seen very often on the open market .it is indeed a rare item , It comes apart and each part will be wrapped seperate and shipped to the winner.( PLEASE SEE PICTURES ). The item is being listing with no reserve.

I WAS IN THE U.S. A.F. DURING THE TIME PERIOD THE MOON LANDING PROJECTS MERCURY, GEMINI AND APOLLO WERE TAKING PLACE, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT ASSIGNED TO THE PROGRAMS I WAS FROM TIME TO TIME IN DIRECT SUPPORT FOR EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES.. I HAD GREAT INTEREST AND WAS PROUD OF AMERICANS NEW MISSION OF GOING TO THE MOON AND BACK WITH LIVE PEOPLE. THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I HAVE COLLECTED A FEW ITEMS FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. I HAVE VERY LITTLE DIRECT INFORMATION ON THIS SPACE SHIP MODEL EXCEPT FROM THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A SMALL LABEL ATTACHED TO THE THE WOODEN BASE OF THE MODEL THAT READS , CONVAIR (ASTRONAUTICS) DIVISION, General Dynamics corporation, AVCO CORPORATION RESEARCH & ADVANCE DEVELOPMENT. THE MODEL HAS BEEN IN MY SHOW CASE SINCE I MADE IT’S PURCHASE.

As I write this, it’s currently sitting un-bidded-on at $399. Given that the other one sold for a tidy $1,025, maybe someone will get lucky and get it cheap.
bdnocgbmkkgrhgookjqejllmqu1cbksrss9g_3.jpeg bdnpfcgkkgrhqyh-dmep3pfsmbksyefg_3.jpeg bdnqh2kkgrhgookieejllmfvplbks57wdq_3.jpeg bdnrjcgkkgrhgoh-eiejlllecf0bksybfpmw_3.jpeg bdnsowkkgrhgoh-cqekj5gdrdhbksyjfyzg_3.jpeg bdnt8qbwkkgrhgookimejllmv6sybksy1pgq_3.jpeg bdntkwcgkkgrhgookjqejllmqu1cbksyrjiq_3.jpeg bdnutgbgkkgrhgoh-eeejllllvtbksyeym8w_3.jpeg bdnv8gcgkkgrhgookjqejllmqu1cbksym4f5w_3.jpeg

I’ve looked at the chips in the paint and smudges, and these are two different models. The bases have different plaques on them. They come from two different sellers in two different (but nearby) states.

Huh.

galaxyquest-03.jpeg

That was a hell of a thing… 

 Posted by at 2:29 am

Found on eBay: Apollo Wood 1966 Space Ship Desk Model General Dynamics

 eBay, models, projects, spacecraft, Uncategorized  7 Responses »
Jul 222009
 

An early Apollo concept. At this writing, bidding stands at $739.00.

This auction is for: an in house hand built scratch model of a lunar take off vehicle by General Dynamics Corp, made sometime circa mid 1960s. Created only for the people directly involved with this particular aspect of this particular space program. Not offered for public or private sale, ever. Wood and aluminum, this is not your standard plastic desk model. Approx. H: 18.5″, with the base 1/2″. The approx. dia: 4.75″. There are some dings as shown, but overall this is a great model, and one not seen on the market much, if ever. It comes apart as shown in one of the pictures, and this is how it will be shipped to the winner. I am listing this with no reserve.

bwocugbmkkgrhgoh-ccejlllzskubktegrimg_3.jpeg bwodbw2kkgrhgoh-cuejlllvsvbktej14g_3.jpeg bwodzqbmkkgrhgoh-eqejlllwfrpbktemojq_3.jpeg bwoedgbgkkgrhgoh-euejllluugbktep3bg_3.jpeg bwoffqcgkkgrhgoh-d8ejlllzkdlbktes7cog_3.jpeg bwofsqbmkkgrhgoh-d0ejlllvkv2bktewgvtg_3.jpeg bwogfwcgkkgrhgoh-dkejlll0kttbktezphg_3.jpeg bwohrq2kkgrhgoh-ciejlll4ntwbktedji6w_3.jpeg bwoiiwmkkgrhgoh-duejlllw8dfbktegzg9q_3.jpeg bwoj4wb2kkgrhgoh-eejlll0tjbktemk6jq_3.jpeg bwok7wbwkkgrhgoh-dsejlllwebkteqqt8_3.jpeg

UPDATE: This is very likely an Apollo utilizing the M-2 re-entry vehicle, from Convair’s 1961 study (see comments). I’ve seen *this* design numerous times… but never in model form, always in cutaway diagram form.
m-2-apollo.gif

 Posted by at 11:50 pm

Found on eBay: Apollo Extension System Nasa Contractor Model Set

 eBay, models, projects, spacecraft  5 Responses »
Jul 222009
 

Again with the “Nasa…”

Edit: Auction NOT over, highest bid of $510.00 (didn’t make reserve).

Here’s a lovely old contractor model set from the Apollo Program. Not a Topping Model or a PacMin Model either. This really consists of three seperate models: The CSM or Command and Service Module, the Resource Module, and the two-part Laboratory / Habitation Module. The Command Module is one piece with the Service Module, and does not come off. There is not much I could find out about the Apollo Extension System, except that it never flew in this form and morphed into Skylab eventually…so this is an interesting picture of might of have been. Judging by my careful measuring and computing, this set is in the 1/40th scale. The CSM and the LAB modules are HEAVY. I would say these are made of some sort fo heavy resin and metal with plastic(?) elements. ..it looks like there is no damage, except for some fading on some of the decals, and some of the fuel tanks look like they have maybe been re-glued at one time or another. Some yellowing here and there…but overall, in amazing shape for something they were cooking up over 40 years ago. The CSM slides down on a brass post from the base, and the two other modules have a center female dock for a pin at the top of the CSM. There is a small cone that covers the tip-top, which was a lucky find in and of itself. The pictures really dont do this set justice…Nasa made these for presentation purposes and show and tell, and were not intended for ownership by the general public.

bw1kwwkkgrhgooki4ejllmwwnbkudjpcbg_3.jpeg bw1f8wbgkkgrhgookjkejllmytbkt-5erq_3.jpeg bw1iggbwkkgrhgooki0ejllmv1mnbkubzhfq_3.jpeg bw1q5wbmkkgrhgookkuejllmtezqbktmrogw_3.jpeg bw1togcgkkgrhgookiqejllmeztbkubvn1uq_3.jpeg bw1ynwkkgrhgookimejllmvzhzbkum8rgw_3.jpeg bw2kpqbwkkgrhgookjiejllmyd13bkud9bgvw_3.jpeg bw2r2g2kkgrhgookiqejllmvz3bkuelddwq_3.jpeg bw6d9wkkgrhgookkejllmyq-kbkuztclw_3.jpeg bw6lqwcgkkgrhgooki0ejllmv1mnbkuz543h_3.jpeg bw07nbgkkgrhgookkqejllmwtsvbkt-ub0g_3.jpeg bw10zwmkkgrhgookjejllmymwcbkucwn6y_3.jpeg

This seems to be a model of one of the designs presented here:

 Posted by at 3:47 pm

Next model in the pipeline

 aircraft, models  5 Responses »
Jul 222009
 

The Orion Battleship is out the hatch and, for the moment, out of my hands. At some point it’ll be 3-D printed then I’ll get the parts to clean and finish. But that’ll likely be some weeks off yet.

<> So here’s an early look at the *next* model I’m working on… again via CAD. Those of you steeped in Old School model kits should recognize this.

2009-07-22a.jpg

 Posted by at 3:42 pm
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