1968 1/12 Revell Gemini astronaut build

[mach7]

This one has been in my stash for a long time. I built it in the early '70s as a kid, and wanted to give it another go.




It's not too complicated.






The plastic is very thin, not like most '60s kits.





The fit is very '60s.  




I used Testors liquid cement. I put it on thick to help fill the gaps.

All the sub part are completed.

.

I sanded the seams and then used my fine files to replace the details and wrinkles in the suit then washed everything.



It's drying now. Tomorrow I'll  put some primer in him to see where I stand.

[dupes]

I got this kit as part of a collection I picked up. That "60's fit" will likely have me put it in the sale pile rather than start it! Hope you were able to sort out those gnarly seams.

[mach7]

It's actually not too bad....So far.

I used extra glue and let it work a bit, then squished out some molten plastic to help fill the seams. For tough spots I used some tenex to help it along.

I dry fit the legs and It did not look too bad.

[mustang1989]

This should be fun to watch come together. Those seams are DEFINITELY typical of the older molds and I'm looking forward to seeing you negotiate these. Cool subject btw.

[mach7]

Thanks!

So far they are not too bad, I hope it stays like that.

[mach7]

I dug out my old Petersen's space books from the early '70s.

I love these books!



The Gemini book.





Some reference photo's.









The basic Gemini G3C/G4C suit looks to be flat white overall.

Ed White's suit had an extra layer of felt for micrometeoroid protection.

I'll probably prime, then pre-shade with a blue wash, then gloss white.

After decals I'll semi-flat coat him.

I think I'll paint the helmet racing white for a slight contrast to the main suit.

EVA suits had a clip on sun visor, and the photo's of Ed look like his visor is

tinted gold. The kit visor has a very slight gold tint.



At least thats the plan for now.



This morning I got Ed's legs and one arm glued on in preparation for priming.




I'm leaving his other arm with the ZOT gun off for now for ease of painting.



Any thought or suggestions would be appreciated.



Mark

[mustang1989]

I’m not much of a figure painter as of right now BUT…. You’re in luck as we DO have a couple of guys that do just that. Steve Zuleski, creading and capfue are some of the names that come to mind.
Those references are CHOICE!!!

[mach7]

Thanks!

I have another figure kit I'm stuck on and need some suggestions also. I'm not really a figure guy myself, though I have built
a few recently and have a few more in the stash.

The glue has dried and surprisingly I only needed a little bit of putty. The putty is drying, I also masked everything that still needs to be glued. Hopefully I can get some primer on later today.

[buddho]

Excellent progress and looking forward to the painting stages.

[mustang1989]

I’ll shed some light your way Mark.

[tcoat]

Such a cool build! The reference material is out of this world. I have seen these kits before but never out of the box so figured it would be a typical 60's vaguely person shaped blob but that detail is actually pretty nice.
This would be the perfect candidate for a tinted Future wash to make those white folds and details pop! Goshdarnit now I have to go shopping and I have enough builds planned.
One question though. Is that little piece of capsule supposed to hold him up?

[`Boots`]

I love seeing these older kits bought to life and it looks like it`s in good hands....nice work fella

[Steve Zuleski]

Wow, this "is" an oldy, but goody. When we were kids, we really didn't pay much attention to detail, we were just happy to be putting it together, lol.

Got this bookmarked. Let me know if you need any pointers on painting that white suit. It takes just a slightly different approach, but it's nothing you can't handle.

Ruck On!

[jeaton01]

Getting the shadows should be fun.

[mach7]

Thanks very much everyone.

The detail on Ed is really amazing.

Primed and some blue pre shading. I painted his helmet racing white for some contrast.







I pre painted the straps and masked them, and put 2 coats of gloss white on. That didn't work great.







I started to repaint the straps but the white was not fully set. I'll let him set for a bit longer.

[mustang1989]

Sorry for the straps not turning out like you wanted. Patience grasshoppa.......🦗

[mach7]

Thank's,

I didn't really expect the masking to work well, I figured I'd try it though.

I'm traveling so nothing new to post.

[mustang1989]

Mar 22, 2023 9:41:30 GMT -5 mach7 said:

Thank's,

I didn't really expect the masking to work well, I figured I'd try it though.

I'm traveling so nothing new to post.

No worries Mark. Hope you have safe travels bro.

[Whiterook]

I’m loving this thread! I want this kit…even with any problems, it’s a great subject; one of the most classic images in NASA’s history! I started a multimedia artwork on this a few years ago and got sidetracked, and it’s making me want to see if I still have it and finish it! Anyway, I’m a child of the 60’s and one of those kids that wants to be an astronaut so, this is a subject near and dear. Following closely!

[mach7]

Thanks Whiterook! I would love to see any of your artwork that can be posted.

[Tobi]

You can do it!
Excellent reference material.

[Mence]

Looks like a horror kit to me, respect for taking it on.

[mach7]

The kits not bad. Things have fitted pretty well.

I'm back home, after catching up on all my domestic duties I managed a few min at my bench.

The straps are coming along, still need some work. I started on some details.



The helmet padding appears tan in most reference photo's I see.

I won't go crazy on Ed's face as his visor will be in place.

Not much of an update.

[mustang1989]

Apr 3, 2023 20:41:12 GMT -5 mach7 said:

The kits not bad. Things have fitted pretty well.

I'm back home, after catching up on all my domestic duties I managed a few min at my bench.

The straps are coming along, still need some work. I started on some details.

The helmet padding appears tan in most reference photo's I see.

I won't go crazy on Ed's face as his visor will be in place.

Not much of an update.

Glad to have you back Mark. Progress is looking good with this fella. 

Do you name your figures like Steve Zuleski does? lol 

[tcoat]

Apr 4, 2023 4:12:31 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

Apr 3, 2023 20:41:12 GMT -5 mach7 said:

The kits not bad. Things have fitted pretty well.

I'm back home, after catching up on all my domestic duties I managed a few min at my bench.

The straps are coming along, still need some work. I started on some details.

The helmet padding appears tan in most reference photo's I see.

I won't go crazy on Ed's face as his visor will be in place.

Not much of an update.

Glad to have you back Mark. Progress is looking good with this fella. 

Do you name your figures like Steve Zuleski does? lol 

LOL In this case the figure actually does have a name. It is Ed White. He is the first U.S. astronaut to walk in space. 

[tcoat]

Apr 3, 2023 20:41:12 GMT -5 mach7 said:

The kits not bad. Things have fitted pretty well.

I'm back home, after catching up on all my domestic duties I managed a few min at my bench.

The straps are coming along, still need some work. I started on some details.

If you want some nice crisp lines and have any Bare Metal Foil around then repaint all the white then mask the sides of the straps with BMF burnished down along where you want the black edge. Repaint the black and remove the foil. No tape will ever seal all that lumpy detail but the BMF will. 

[mustang1989]

Apr 4, 2023 8:11:03 GMT -5 tcoat said:

Apr 4, 2023 4:12:31 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

Glad to have you back Mark. Progress is looking good with this fella. 

Do you name your figures like Steve Zuleski does? lol 

LOL In this case the figure actually does have a name. It is Ed White. He is the first U.S. astronaut to walk in space. 

LOL!! Obviously missed that. If it were a fist it would've hit me. 

[tcoat]

Apr 4, 2023 8:45:58 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

Apr 4, 2023 8:11:03 GMT -5 tcoat said:

LOL In this case the figure actually does have a name. It is Ed White. He is the first U.S. astronaut to walk in space. 

LOL!! Obviously missed that. If it were a fist it would've hit me. 

[mach7]

tcoat,

Thats a great idea!

I might still do that, the paint cleanup is moving along not too bad so I might stick with that.
Time will tell.

Not much to report, I did start painting Ed's zot gun. I used gunmetal on the handle but thats a bit too dark.
For the rest I use aluminum. I'll probably give the tanks a coat of silver. No photo's, sorry.

I could have done more but the sun was out and the top down on the MGB.

[mach7]

I was searching the web for reference photos on the zot gun and found this.



A very dark handle.

That photo is from the NASM in DC, I was just there in December so I looked through the photo's I took and
found this:



The handle is now almost brass colored.