Moonbase Alpha Launch Pad

bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
About a year ago I finally got to see all the episodes of Space: 1999 and became an instant fan. This is sci-fi from my childhood and love it. So today I fired up some episodes on Hulu and tackled this model. It's the Moonbase Alpha launch pad by S.C. Killenbeck. It's a fun, easy model that looks really nice when done.

This part is simple, but it comes with an internal strengthener. I cut it out of 2mm chipboard and it worked great. However, the end that meets the pad isn't quite the right shape so I had to do some trimming. I recommend cutting the notch back farther. It won't hurt the stability.
 

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bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
This part is also simple. It comes with a ring to glue in the center to strengthen the center. I put glue on the edges and slid it inside before sealing it up. The "half-circle" part got all the tabs cut off and edge glued.
 

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bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
This is the docking section. The little sleeve that mounts inside was tricky. Don't glue it to the angled roof or it won't slide right. I super glued one end to the opening for strength. When I glued it to the pad I glued the edges and the bottom of the sleeve to secure it. Don't glue the docking arm because it's supposed to slide in and out.
 

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bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
I modified the pad for stability. I glued the top, bottom and trim piece to 1mm chipboard. I didn't really need the paper ring strengthener after that, but I used it anyway. I added a tab to the pad side strips and glued them to the top. I skipped the tabs to attach the bottom since it was on the chipboard. I just set it on and superglued around the seam. That pad is sturdy!
 

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bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
Final assembly and done. The model comes with some little "boxey" Eagles, so I glued one together and that's it. The Eagle didn't crash when it landed, and my desk didn't blow out of orbit, so I'd say we're good.
 

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Bhelliom

Member
"Thud!" That's my jaw hitting the floor. Someone actually built one of my models! Thanks, bgt01! I see there are a couple of changes I need to make. Not sure why part "7a" didn't fit right, it looks OK on the layout. I also see that I need to reduce the number of parts "6". The ones covered by the docking section obviously aren't needed. It could also use some better texturing, but that's one of my weak points.

Sorry about the "boxiness" of the Eagle, but my Micromachine skills are just about nil. That is, I could design a better shape, but I'd never be able to build it right myself.

Anyway, its great to see one of my own models built by someone else. The last time I saw one of mine online somewhere was my "Bender', and it wasn't even labeled, let alone credited.

Thanks again, now I need to dig up the complete Alpha model I was working (thanks, Gearz!) on and finish it. MUCH smaller scale than the Pad model, so any Eagles on that one will have to be layered 2D.


Scott K.
 

bgt01

Exemplary Confidant
Complete...Alpha...model...YES PLEASE!:mrgreen: I've thought about that but space and time and skill make it a back, back burner idea. You get it done and I'm in. Your pad model was great. I'd had it printed out for awhile and today was the day. Might have to do another one with lights. And the little Eagles work just fine.:thumb:
 

Rhaven Blaack

!!!THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!!
Staff member
Administrator
Moderator
@bgt01: You did a GREAT JOB on the build! I would like to see what you do with the lighting and adding more detail.

@Bhelliom: You have every right to be proud. You did a GREAT JOB on the design. I think that a scaled up version (with more detail) would make for a really good diorama.

It would really be cool if you could make the red cross in the center raise and lower (like it the series).
 
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