1/24 Scale Mercury Capsule

Modeling Subjects Space
1

I would really like a 1/24 scale Mercury to go along with my 1/24 Revell Gemini. Doesn’t have to be super accurate and I can add some stuff if I need to. Was thinking about using Sheri’s Hot Rockets 1/24 Mercury (flying model rocket) as a base but they seemed to have gone belly up.

So I was drinking a beer last week and this idea came to me. How about 3D scanning the 1/48 Revell Mercury kit into Solidworks. Upscale it to 1/24 and then 3D print the parts. It would be for personal use so I don’t see any intellectual property infingement issues. I’m thinking I could glue all the parts together using CA.

Do you guys think this would work?

Thanks, Chris

2

Several hurdles there.

First off, the 3D scan of the parts sprues, is, in fact, a 1:1 copy of IP. Since that’s not for an excerpt or quotation, that act would require the IP owner’s permission.

Next, there’s a rather large question of finding the correct company to do the scan, and what will it cost for the accuracy you will want (remember any error you allow at 1/48 will be four times as large when blown up to 1/24).

Next, the material used as feedstock for the 3d printer matters. You have to allow for how materials form when printed. Which will affect every locating pin and hole, every lip and notch, every rabbet, etc. You have to know, absolutely, while building the solid model–whether in Solidworks, AutoCAD, CATIA, LightWave, Solid Edge, even Sketchup.

After that, you have to source the print provider.

Now, if you own a full set of the 1/48 spriues, a 3D scanner, a CAM program, and a 3d printer; then, no real problem.

Well, other than the normal ones. Like I’ve never ever, not once ever, been able to just insert a scanned model of anything into CAM without having had to massage it heavily through CAD first. Which always requires having to go back an measure the prototypes (or their plans)

3

My sad attempts to learn 3D CAD have made me give up the idea of a 3D printer. I do have a cricut machine to do CAM in 2D and I’ll stick with that for awhile. For 3D stuff I’ll continue to carve wood or do formers, stringers and sheet coverings.

4

Might as well post this link here:

https://nasa3d.arc.nasa.gov/models

I’ve always thought it would be nice to take one of the Mercury capsule models and modify it to a higher detail level. Then again, it’s probably easier to start from scratch! [:)]

Gary

5

Hi,

I guess a couple options might be to either buy an existing 3D CAD model off the internet and 3D print (or scratchbuild) the parts, so that you can assemble and paint the model how you want, in the scale that you want, or try maybe a paper model (or even buy the paper model and use the info there to scratchbuild a plastic model, etc).

https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/military/rocketry/mercury-redstone

https://www.cgstudio.com/3d-model/nasa-mercury-4-liberty-with-redstone-36387

https://www.cgstudio.com/3d-model/nasa-mercury-6-friendship-7-123356

http://www.delta7studios.com/sigma7.htm

http://www.papermodelers.com/forum/pasa-paper-aeronautical-space-administration/1825-delta-studios-sigma-7-mercury-capsule-build-picture-1-a-2.html

https://paperkosmonaut.blogspot.com/2014/12/gemini-xii-agena-eva-148-pt-3-gemini.html

6

Great thoughts, thanks for the responses. I’ll probably try to find a pre-designed CAD model to print out. The above links offer some great choices.