1/15th scale Space Shuttle

[bradley25mm]

  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
              
        

[bradley25mm]

[406 Silverado]

Oh WOW!! What a grand and honorable undertaking. I'll be watching this for DANG sure Christopher!!!

[jeaton01]

What a neat project!

[handiabled]

What a cool project! Bookmarked this to watch you bring this back to life.

[kyledehart5]

Holy smokes!! How awesome is this!!

[Leon]

  WOW.... I'll be following along to see your progress on this!

[buddho]

What an honor to work on this piece of history. Looking forward to watch you restore this project.

[ogrejohn]

Wow! That thing is huge!

[reserve]

Hmmm...clear windows and scratched cockpit?

[mach7]

WOW! WOW!

Very cool. I just got back from a trip, I need to digest this a bit.

[mz3]

Oh I want one! I know I can't get one, but I still wants!

This is awesome!!!

[Steve Zuleski]

This is getting a serious upgrade, excellent project!

[mach7]

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.


 

[bradley25mm]

Oct 15, 2023 19:05:29 GMT -5 mach7 said:

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.

[bradley25mm]

Looks like I may take a trip to Kennedy Space Center to get those much needed photos..😉

[adt70hk]

Oct 16, 2023 9:37:26 GMT -5 bradley25mm said:

Oct 15, 2023 19:05:29 GMT -5 mach7 said:

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!!

[project510]

Oh man, my son will like to see this. What an awesome opportunity for you! Thanks for sharing!

[mach7]

Oct 16, 2023 9:39:35 GMT -5 bradley25mm said:

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.

[bradley25mm]

Oct 16, 2023 16:13:23 GMT -5 mach7 said:

Oct 16, 2023 9:39:35 GMT -5 bradley25mm said:

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

[reserve]

Sure gonna keep ya busy

[Steve Zuleski]

Oct 16, 2023 9:39:35 GMT -5 bradley25mm said:

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?

[Medicman71]

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.

[bradley25mm]

             Two of the engine bells had to be fixed on the top. They’re actually made out of Aircraft Aluminum. I had to take them to a fabrication shop here in Louisville to have new tops tack welded it in place. They did an amazing job.
    Attached are before and after photos. I move on now to the vertical stabilizer.

[jmarc]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUTCH , that is quite something !

[armornutii]

  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

[handiabled]

Super big and super cool! Looks great so far!

[sharp]

WOW!! that is very cool!!

[deafpanzer]

WOW! I am already seeing H-U-G-E improvements!!!

[bradley25mm]

The tiling has begun!!!