R-M Lunar Lander

Started my Monogram/Revell Lunar Lander. Hope I can finish it by July.

I painted the black areas on the base and started applying the thermal blankets. I had been fearing this process but it went very well. The material seems to be a plastic film coated with gold coated foil, just like the real Kapton thermal blankets. I have had a terrible time with Bare Metal foil, but the plastic they use is strong, and there was no problem with crumpling up the pieces before applying. Yes, it is indeed supposed to be wrinkled, as photos show. So far this is an excellent kit, especially considering its age. I recommend this kit as a nice build to commemorate the Apollo XI landing.

Excellent start, Don! Yes, that foil was definitely crinkled, and a long time ago I used aluminum foil to replicate that look (back when aluminum foil was thicker). Look forward to your build! Is this the one with the astronauts and lunar experiments package, or just the LM?

Gary

PS> Might I suggest that you offer this one up in the “Race Into Space Group Build”? It would be an honor to have you join. Take a look and see if it might be of interest. [:)]

Great start, indeed, on what is still a really cool (if occasionally frustrating) kit…particularly for those of us old enough to remember that momentous event ‘first hand.’ Really look forward to seeing this one shape up.

Since I know you make your own decals, I will be presumptuous enough to offer a suggestion which I shamelessly borrowed from another build I saw online, if you’re doing the whole ‘diorama’ version. Find the famous ‘visor’ photo online and shrink it down to 1/48 helmet size. It’s a really neat effect:

Good luck with your build!

Nice Start Don.

I’ll be following your build.

AS Gary said it would be a nice addition to the GB.

gregbale, great idea on the helmet decal!

Don, I built this kit for the space race GB and really enjoyed it. Are you going to build it OOB or add other details? Good luck on your build. With your skills I have no doubt it will be fantastic! This is now on my watch list.

My kit was partially missing when I started it, but it did provide some enjoyable challenges to fabricate it. Here’s mine…

v/r,

Ben

Ben, that looks great! I hope mine turns out as well.

I pretty much will build it OOB with the base mounted on a wood base, and some additional work on the moon surface.

Got the descent stage finished.

Masking portions of the ascent stage now. It is a bear- lots of facets and three colors.

Looking good so far…

Ben

Big change in plans!

I seem to have lost the astronaut figures, so I am intending to mount model to smaller base, rather than do the diorama style base. I like the small base idea I have come up with, and it will take a lot less display space.

Looks great, Don. I really like how the gold stuff turned out. Sharp. [Y]

Too bad about the astronaut figures, but sounds like your plan B might be even better.

I think Ben (Drums01) acquired his astronauts from Shapeways. They’re the same figures if you would like to go that route. Nothing wrong with doing it without them though!

Gary