Houston, this is Tranquility Base. The Eagle has landed.

[Ian]

Thanks Shaun.

I am building. And here are some photos to prove it.





The descent stage is built. I still need to foil the feet and possibly the legs and then I can paint. The ascent stage is undergoing assembly and filling. I've made a start in the dio base today, too. I will keep it under wraps for now.

[ShaunW]

Great looking work Ian. It certainly is a quirky looking vehicle the lunar lander, mind you in space there's no need for aerodynamics

[Ian]

Been away for a couple of days but I have still been busy. The moon is complete.


And here it is with the descent stage, umm, descended?


The descent stage is complete now. I'm not happy with the gold paint, so I may repaint it before adding the 2 decals.
The ascent stage is pretty much assembled. Just the bits that I am bound to knock off are waiting to go on. I'm struggling to find a silver that I am happy with.
I lied about the descent stage. I still need to add the ladder!

[Jagewa]

I like your moon, the blast(?) marks look great.

For you gold, would a dry brush of yellow make a difference?

Cheers
Jim

[Ian]

It is a blast mark, Jim.
The moon itself is just foamcard with a few 'bumps' made out of shaped foamcard. I then carved out the indentations for the feet and the blast, as well as a 'trench' approaching the final blast area (bottom right to the centre). It was then covered with PVA and some small stones placed where I wanted them. Then a layer of fine sand, sifted through a fine sieve, was added. Mrs. Ian was not happy to see one of her sieves used in this way. Never mind!
Once the PVA was dry the excess sand was gently removed then the whole lot got painted black. Lots of drybrushing with various shades of grey and finally white then took place, leaving me with what you see above.

I have already gone over the gold with a much yellower gold and it looks much better now.
Working nights so no updates till Friday at the earliest.

[ShaunW]

Great work Ian and I'm glad to see the imaginative use of kitchen utensils - Mrs W would agree with Mrs Ian on that point though

[lancfan]

Coming along well Ian, like the base.

DAVID.

[Ian]

So, despite no update for over a week, there is progress being made. The descent stage now has the ladder added, so just the decals to go on.
The ascent stage is assembled and painting has commenced. I WILL post some pics when I've finished all these dratted night shifts!

[Ian]

Cripes - another long gap with no update. I've been working nights and just seem to work and sleep with no time for modelling. I really should have taken this to work to try to crack on a bit but I didn't, so am now left with only 4 days to complete. I'll be forgoing the in-flight dio, as well as the one with cameras and lighting rigs. I may well come back and revisit them some time in the future.

I am here currently -


I still need to add the decals to the descent stage then that is complete. The ascent stage is assembled but still needs more painting and touching up. As I'm working Fri/Sat/Sun I really need to get this finished either today or tomorrow. Better get my space skates on!

[lancfan]

Nearly there Ian, you can do it.

David.

[Jagewa]

Oh yes Ian go man go..

[ShaunW]

Go for it Ian!

[Ian]

A busy couple of days, especially with the little Ians being off school now, but I have managed to find time to finish the build.
And here are some pictures to prove it!

Above.


Front


Side


Rear


Other side


Lower Angle.


Wait a minute! What's that in the sky above and to the right?

It's OK, it's only Mr. Spoon on his way home!


The starfield is just a sheet of paper painted with black poster paint and then some dots of white added. The whole thing was then wrapped around my display base for picture taking purposes.


This is a model I have wanted for years and am glad I have one (at last) although I must say I am a little disappointed with the kit. Not enough detail for me and I don't have the scratch building skills of David or Jim to be able to correct the kit. Never mind. Overall, with the base I made, I am happy enough.

[lancfan]

Great model and diorama Ian.

David.

[Dirkpitt289]

Nice one Ian