Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-125..

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Allan31
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Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-125..

Post by Allan31 »

In the early 80's, I worked for the Perkin/Elmer Aerospace division as a Technical Illustrator/Draftsman. I contributed drawings and illustrations that appeared in the technical documents that accompanied the design, construction and delivery of the OTA(Optical Telescope Assembly) for the Hubble Space Telescope. This included all the elements you see below.

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This was then shipped via a long, circuitous route from Connecticut to Texas for insertion into the "space-craft" part of the scope built by Lockheed.

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This is the 25th anniversary of the Hubble. I was honored to have been apart of its construction in my own small way. The last of four missions to upgrade the Hubble with the latest, greatest bits was STS-125. This is the focus of the exhibit at the Intrepid Museum in New York City. Below is the panel discussion with six of the original STS-125 astronauts held November 12th at the museum.

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I started with the Monogram kit in 1/72 scale and after a couple nights work had this much done. Fit is good, over-all shape and detail is better than the Revell.

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Next I exhumed this from the stash and had it together in a night.

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Before continuing, I made sure everything fit and I had the correct markings I needed.

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I got the mission decal off Ebay and enlarged it to fit my needs. I then cut some plywood and test fitted everything together.

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The Shuttle, Hubble and base were designed to be transported and assembled quickly. I used a series of telescoping brass tubes to accomplish this.

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The larger size was epoxy-puttied into the shuttle, scope and base. The smaller was the inner tube slipped inside and holding all three elements in position.

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Once I new this would actually work (I wasn't sure..) I started detailing. Looking at photos of the mission, I started to detail the cargo bay.

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I started up front with the airlock hatch. I then continued by hacking up the kit pallets and scratching up what I need out of sheet styrene.

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I'm experimenting with a (new-to-me-anyway) method of replicating the gold colored Kapton covering on space equipment. My much better half Su and I were in a party supply shop and I spied these party balloons up by the ceiling.

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Crinkled up and painted with a "leafing adhesive", they seem to do the trick.

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I used the same method on the Hubble as well.

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This was then detailed to resemble the Hubble during STS-125.

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I was thinking it would be pretty impossible to duplicate the tiles on the bottom of the shuttle. I would be happy with something that came close and looked like tiles. I first sprayed the bottom of the shuttle a medium grey and then used some window screening to act as a mask. I then sprayed flat black through the screen.

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What followed was the classic 2 hours of masking with 2 minutes of spraying.

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I wanted to have the astronauts working on the Hubble. I cut apart the manipulator arm and re-positioned it the way I needed with steel pins at the joints. I then hacked apart and re positioned one of the two supplied astronauts and stuck him on the end of the arm.

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Some final Kapton touch up in the cargo bay and some furnace tape on the shuttle bay doors and everything was done.

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STS-125 Mission Specialist #4, Michael Massimino.

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While all this building was going on, much emailing was going back and forth between myself and the Intrepid. This build was for the panel presentation with the astronauts. Sadly, because of "dropped balls" and miss-communications on behalf of museum personnel a really cool opportunity was missed by all. My table was already set up, my model was delivered that night, ready to go.

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Oh-well, I had great fun building this, Su and I met the astronauts and was an honor to be able to thank them in person for fixing the Hubble. They in turn thanked me for building it !!(LOL)...

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Thanks,
Allan Buttrick

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.
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iggie
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by iggie »

That's a superb bit of modelling and an excellent back-storey to go along with it!!
Very impressive 8-)
Best wishes

Jim
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IvanV22
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by IvanV22 »

WOW!! A excellent build and a really interesting story!
I really liked your method of gold covering and tile masking.
Best from Ivan
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malepo
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by malepo »

Looks superb!
Cheers
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by ShaunW »

That is a really great piece of modelling Allan and very interesting historical info to go along with it.
Doing - Tamiya 1/35th Universal Carrier.

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DavidWomby
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by DavidWomby »

That's a fascinating build. Thanks for posting.

David
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by Clashcityrocker »

Awesome piece of modelling. You must be well pleased with the way that has come out. Pity about it's public debut at the presentation.

Nigel
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by gnomemeansgnome »

Brilliant work!
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Eric Mc
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by Eric Mc »

That is simply marvelous.
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by TobyC »

Very nice bit of modelling and a good story to boot :mrgreen:
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by Eric Mc »

I'd love to have a go at a Hubble Space Telescope. I didn't realise that there was a 1/72 kit out there. Is there anything in 1/144?

I can see my consumption of Rolos increasing dramatically in the near future.
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splash
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by splash »

:wanw
Brilliant work thanks for sharing
My work bench is starting to look like Portsmouth Naval Dockyard.
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Allan31
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by Allan31 »

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed, it really was huge fun.
There is a 1/144 scale Hubble. It's actually a 3D printed version and is pretty good however it suffers from the somewhat grainy texture inherent in the process.

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Here is a linky if you're interested...

http://www.shapeways.com/model/1475332/ ... terialId=6;

I may use this for dimensions and make my own from scratch to get the smooth surface we need. The amazing thing about it is, the parts came preprinted tucked inside the scope tube itself, just amazing. The model itself is slightly flexible, have no idea what I'm dealing with here, totally new territory.

Thanks again, glad you liked.
Thanks,
Allan Buttrick

Youth, talent, hard work, and enthusiasm are no match for old age and treachery.
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by Eric Mc »

That looks interesting. I've placed an order for it. I'll let you know what I think when it arrives.
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Re: Space Shuttle/Hubble Space Telescope, 1/72 scale...STS-1

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

Thanks for posting your illustrated progress on this - certainly a wonderful model when completed.
I have filed away the "foil balloons" and the mesh "spray mask".
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