My SSME plumbing was thin strips of laminated silver paper. I laminated it, cut it into thin strips, then curled it around the edge of my knife to curl it.
The belly of the MARS Center orbiter isn't that bad, except the body flap has tiles going only one direction instead of two. I think I used an enlarged version of the AXM body flap, but it's been awhile so I don't really remember. Once I weathered the belly with gray and black pastels, everything looked ok.
ok heres my 411 on my MCSS build:
>got AXM's new Shuttle belly tiles(closed umbilical doors) printed @ 144%
>laminated the engine box bottom w/c had no darn tile pattern, and it fits well, though a little trimming needed.
>same goes for the bodyflap. now i need details on the body flap sides. if you still have those 'brick' patterns you made with word, attach it to my email(
touge_drifter1@yahoo.com or
xhack2@mail2world.com)
>reprinted the nose section on paper, so as to 'cover up' my wood-glue fillings on the HRSI area.
>planning to rescale AXM's shuttle framework file to get the trademark STS 'cheekbone' shape on the area of the crewcabin meets the PBDs.
>reprinting PDBs again, due to print error(length too short)
>reprinting OMS parts to get the tile pattern
>reprinting engine box to get the engine area tile pattern(or maybe frankein-patch something up, since i see patterns in different directions on real ones)
>planning to edit via GIMP photo manipulation software the PBDs and fuselage side to lessen headaches...
>print/make tile pattern for body flap: crosswise running pattern for the engine side.
and here's what i need:
>appropriate sized wires(for SSME tubing)
>some tile patterns
>if you'd like: HD pics of the AFRSI blankets, your model or real life... emphasis on tail, nose and OMS.
>more sharp bladessign1
>more timewall1
>less nagging from commanding officer(GF):curse:[nah i love her, and she's quite interested too in this project y'know....]