bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 7, 2023 20:49:19 GMT -5
All, About a month ago, an individual approached me about restoring an artifact that belonged to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. It was gifted to a museum that will showcase the model at its official opening next year. It is a fiberglass model of the Space Shuttle that was made by Rockwell International. Rockwell International, the builders of the actual Space Shuttle, gave it to NASA as a gift. NASA then transferred it to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum for public display at the Johnson Space Center. Rather than just paint it, I’ve decided, with the help of a good friend who is a modeler, (The Mongoose)to tile the entire Shuttle with Evergreen polystyrene shapes (Squares for the bottom of the orbiter, and rectangles for the top.) I was able to find a company in MD that is able to cut very small shapes using lasers, in very large quantities. (They have actually done work for NASA). I’ve sent them samples of Evergreen plain sheets to run some test. The only thing I’ve done so far is dress up the original bells with supplies from Lowe’s. I can’t wait to start the project full time. Regards Christopher
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 7, 2023 20:51:59 GMT -5
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406 Silverado
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Post by 406 Silverado on Oct 7, 2023 21:07:36 GMT -5
Oh WOW!! What a grand and honorable undertaking. I'll be watching this for DANG sure Christopher!!!
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jeaton01
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Post by jeaton01 on Oct 7, 2023 22:56:51 GMT -5
What a neat project!
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handiabled
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Post by handiabled on Oct 8, 2023 3:38:04 GMT -5
What a cool project! Bookmarked this to watch you bring this back to life.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Oct 8, 2023 5:34:50 GMT -5
Holy smokes!! How awesome is this!!
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Post by Leon on Oct 8, 2023 5:39:19 GMT -5
WOW.... I'll be following along to see your progress on this!
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buddho
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Post by buddho on Oct 8, 2023 5:48:19 GMT -5
What an honor to work on this piece of history. Looking forward to watch you restore this project.
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ogrejohn
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Post by ogrejohn on Oct 8, 2023 6:56:33 GMT -5
Wow! That thing is huge!
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reserve
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Post by reserve on Oct 8, 2023 20:19:16 GMT -5
Hmmm...clear windows and scratched cockpit?
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mach7
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Post by mach7 on Oct 13, 2023 9:38:09 GMT -5
WOW! WOW!
Very cool. I just got back from a trip, I need to digest this a bit.
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mz3
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Post by mz3 on Oct 14, 2023 12:08:13 GMT -5
Oh I want one! I know I can't get one, but I still wants!
This is awesome!!!
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Steve Zuleski
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Post by Steve Zuleski on Oct 14, 2023 12:31:23 GMT -5
This is getting a serious upgrade, excellent project!
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mach7
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Post by mach7 on Oct 15, 2023 19:05:29 GMT -5
Ok,
I've finally caught up.
I'm just amazed at the size of that beast! What a great opportunity to work on a historic display.
I love what you have done with the engine bells.
Separate tiles, what a great idea. Thats a lot of tiles!
EDIT:
Do you live near the LA science center, Kennedy, or the Udvay-Hazy at Dulles?
Seeing a real Shuttle in person could be helpful.
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 16, 2023 9:37:26 GMT -5
Ok, I've finally caught up. I'm just amazed at the size of that beast! What a great opportunity to work on a historic display. I love what you have done with the engine bells. Separate tiles, what a great idea. Thats a lot of tiles! EDIT: Do you live near the LA science center, Kennedy, or the Udvay-Hazy at Dulles? Seeing a real Shuttle in person could be helpful. Thanks so much. I still cannot believe that this is out in my garage right now. I’m so honored that I was approached to restore it, and to be able to work on a part of history. The museum has asked that I restore it as space shuttle Atlantis. After looking at several photos of Atlantis, I was able to come up with a solution to replicate the flexible, thermal, blanket panels that are on the sides, and the top of the orbiter. My good friend Chris (the mongoose) came up with an even better way to make these thermal panels look more realistic. Currently working on improving the thruster nozzles, and main engine bells.
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 16, 2023 9:39:35 GMT -5
Looks like I may take a trip to Kennedy Space Center to get those much needed photos..😉
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adt70hk
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Currently attempting to build something decent!!! ;)
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Post by adt70hk on Oct 16, 2023 12:24:14 GMT -5
Ok, I've finally caught up. I'm just amazed at the size of that beast! What a great opportunity to work on a historic display. I love what you have done with the engine bells. Separate tiles, what a great idea. Thats a lot of tiles! EDIT: Do you live near the LA science center, Kennedy, or the Udvay-Hazy at Dulles? Seeing a real Shuttle in person could be helpful. Thanks so much. I still cannot believe that this is out in my garage right now. I’m so honored that I was approached to restore it, and to be able to work on a part of history. The museum has asked that I restore it as space shuttle Atlantis. After looking at several photos of Atlantis, I was able to come up with a solution to replicate the flexible, thermal, blanket panels that are on the sides, and the top of the orbiter. My good friend Chris (the mongoose) came up with an even better way to make these thermal panels look more realistic. Currently working on improving the thruster nozzles, and main engine bells. Wow!! What an honour!!
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project510
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Post by project510 on Oct 16, 2023 13:33:08 GMT -5
Oh man, my son will like to see this. What an awesome opportunity for you! Thanks for sharing!
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mach7
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Post by mach7 on Oct 16, 2023 16:13:23 GMT -5
Looks like I may take a trip to Kennedy Space Center to get those much needed photos..😉 I have been lucky enough to visit all 4 shuttles. I still consider Enterprise a shuttle even though she was never orbitally configured. Of all Atlantis is presented the most interesting, in Orbital configuration with her cargo doors opened. Unfortunately this makes getting good photo's of that area harder (if memory serves me). I think the soft blanket thermal area's are the same on all the shuttles. Maybe someone can confirm this? I can send you all the digital photo's I've taken of Discovery, Endeavor, and Atlantis if you want. They were taken with iphones over the years. Of course visiting a shuttle is the best, eyes are better than a camera.
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 16, 2023 18:39:07 GMT -5
Looks like I may take a trip to Kennedy Space Center to get those much needed photos..😉 I have been lucky enough to visit all 4 shuttles. I still consider Enterprise a shuttle even though she was never orbitally configured. Of all Atlantis is presented the most interesting, in Orbital configuration with her cargo doors opened. Unfortunately this makes getting good photo's of that area harder (if memory serves me). I think the soft blanket thermal area's are the same on all the shuttles. Maybe someone can confirm this? I can send you all the digital photo's I've taken of Discovery, Endeavor, and Atlantis if you want. They were taken with iphones over the years. Of course visiting a shuttle is the best, eyes are better than a camera. Wow, that’s very generous of you sir. Thank you so much
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reserve
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Post by reserve on Oct 16, 2023 18:51:53 GMT -5
Sure gonna keep ya busy
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Steve Zuleski
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Post by Steve Zuleski on Oct 17, 2023 9:55:13 GMT -5
Looks like I may take a trip to Kennedy Space Center to get those much needed photos..😉 Sounds like a ruff gig, but somebody's gotta do it and it might as well be you, right?
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Medicman71
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Post by Medicman71 on Oct 17, 2023 10:39:16 GMT -5
WOW!!! That's awesome! Can't wait to see you restore it!
I wish I could visit one of the real shuttles. I'm still pissed that Houston didn't get one considering Mission Control and Johnson Space Center is here. We just got one of the Shuttle Carrier 747's.
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 25, 2023 14:28:09 GMT -5
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jmarc
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Post by jmarc on Oct 25, 2023 16:39:13 GMT -5
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUTCH , that is quite something !
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armornutii
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Post by armornutii on Oct 25, 2023 18:33:09 GMT -5
You and Mongoose are so lucky, Wright Pat in your neighborhood. I'd cut off my left b cheek to see that museum. Watching history being restored as well
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handiabled
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Post by handiabled on Oct 26, 2023 9:01:04 GMT -5
Super big and super cool! Looks great so far!
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sharp
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Post by sharp on Oct 26, 2023 11:46:57 GMT -5
WOW!! that is very cool!!
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Post by deafpanzer on Oct 26, 2023 11:56:29 GMT -5
WOW! I am already seeing H-U-G-E improvements!!!
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bradley25mm
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Post by bradley25mm on Oct 30, 2023 16:35:31 GMT -5
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