A new Vostok capsule prototype.

[sandman]

Step by step...here we go.

The pdf is my drawing redrawn and scaled to fit.

The shoulder fits a BT-55 with a 1.59" lip for the upper second stage shroud to fit onto.

The first pic is the part ready to turn.
The 1/2" wood dowel goes completely through the lower section and into the upper.

The gap with the dowel exposed (I'll deal with that later) will be under the interstage strut.

The second pic is the rough shaped part.

[sandman]

The next step is to continue to finish the part on the lathe. The narrow section in the middle will be explained soon.

[sandman]

Hello, anybody there?

[MarkII]

Hello, anybody there?

We're watching, breathless with anticipation...

[sodmeister]

Hello, anybody there?

Oh ,you know I`m out here ,but everytime I look ,it costs me money

Paul

[Saluki]

I am here and watching. So what's the deal? Are you going to make a kit avable to us? If so when do you expect them to be avable an how much will they cost? Put me down for one.

[sandman]

I am here and watching. So what's the deal? Are you going to make a kit avable to us? If so when do you expect them to be avable an how much will they cost? Put me down for one.

Yes, I will make a kit of this but I have to work out the production process on the capsule, then do the rest of the parts.

I hope to have it finished sometime in March...I hope.

Cost? I haven't finished spending all my money on the parts yet.

The scale will be roughly 1/68th scale. Close to matching the 1/70th scale Saturn 1B.

BTW, I also have a real job so that kinda cuts into my time.



OK, next is the hard part. This thing will need nose weight and I need someplace to put it.

That gap in the middle is where I cut the part. The piece sticking out is a bit bigger than 1" in diameter. This will be the shoulder to join the parts back together. It's just a bit bigger for a nice tight fit.

I have a small fixture I made from a section of tube that fits the upper capsule section that I cut off.

The tube has a 3/4" thick centering ring with a 1" hole. This guides the Forstner bit.

I drill this by hand, occasionally releasing the part and letting the drill spin the part. If it spins true and doesn't wobble (much), I know the hole is still centered.

[sandman]

Next the part goes back in the lathe for final sanding. I use the slowest speed here. This is where a tight fit on the parts is important so the top half doesn't go flying across the room.

After that it's over to my drill press and another fixture (this one is made of foam), and I drill out the capsule hole.

The capsule is just another piece of balsa I turn as a hemisphere on the lathe.

[sandman]

Wait! One final detail I did on the lathe I forgot to mention.

The section under the truss and the third stage are joined by a 1/2" wood dowel.

Just to make it pretty and look closer to scale, I carefully turn the dowel into an engine bell shape.

[Saluki]

Gordon, is there a place to go that we can put are name down to get one of these kits? A list would give you an idea how meany kits to do.

[sandman]

Gordon, is there a place to go that we can put are name down to get one of these kits? A list would give you an idea how meany kits to do.

You can email me at

gagnello (at) yahoo dot com

I have a reserve folder just for the Vostok kits.

When they are ready I notify people first come first notified sooooo...you will be first!


Next for the prototype is the really really cool part. The truss assembly.

What I did was have the parts laser cut and they came out perfect!

I took a section of 3/4" wood dowel and with a hard surface under it, rolled it pressing hard, along the length.

This crushed the fibers of the card stock (0.052" thick) causing it to curl perfectly!

[sandman]

The rolled truss assembly can now conform to the turned nos cone/capsule part.

There is a bit a fiddling to do. work with a sharp pencil the mark part and with a new X-Acto blade lightly cut where the truss parts will fit into the balsa.

Not much! Just enough so the parts nestle into the wood.

Some gel super glue works best and when it's all settled in some thin super glue fixes it permanently in place.

[sandman]

Glue the "capsule" in place and add about 2.5 oz of bb's mixed with epoxy into the hole.

That is a guesstimate for now but there is plenty of room for more when the model is finished and painted.

Now I have to work out some tiny detail bits, panel covers, thrusters, antenna, etc and it's ready for the booster.

[kruland]

You probably wanted to paint this bit before assembly.

The rolled truss assembly can now conform to the turned nos cone/capsule part.

There is a bit a fiddling to do. work with a sharp pencil the mark part and with a new X-Acto blade lightly cut where the truss parts will fit into the balsa.

Not much! Just enough so the parts nestle into the wood.

Some gel super glue works best and when it's all settled in some thin super glue fixes it permanently in place.

[sandman]

You probably wanted to paint this bit before assembly.

I can get in there with a tiny brush.

It is a prototype.

There a lot of stuff I have to work out yet.

[kjohnson]

Looks interesting. I like the truss and the constuction of the cone.

kj

[sandman]

Looks interesting. I like the truss and the constuction of the cone.

kj

I'm satisfied that it looks very accurate from 4" away. Any closer and you really see my building flaws.

I make it a rule when someone goes up to my model with a magnifying glass I shoo them away.

[Massrokit]

PM and E-mail sent

QUOTE=sandman;169557]You can email me at

gagnello (at) yahoo dot com

I have a reserve folder just for the Vostok kits.

When they are ready I notify people first come first notified sooooo...you will be first!

[sandman]

PM and E-mail sent

QUOTE=sandman;169557]You can email me at

gagnello (at) yahoo dot com

I have a reserve folder just for the Vostok kits.

When they are ready I notify people first come first notified sooooo...you will be first!

You're on the list!

[sodmeister]

You're on the list!

Hey Gordy ,add me to that list would you



Paul t

[sandman]

Hey Gordy ,add me to that list would you



Paul t

OK.

[Rocketcrab]

E-mail sent to be added to the list. Time to start saving the pennies!!

[sandman]

E-mail sent to be added to the list. Time to start saving the pennies!!

Guys, can you do me a favor, please?

Could you include your TRF handle with your real name when you email me?

I'm old and easily confused.

[MaxQ]

Excellent work, ....as usual, Gordo.

[Victrix75]

Hi,
I am very interested in anything to do with Gagarin and Korolev, especially if I can have a go at constructing it myself (with guidance). Did you finish this project? I cannot find a completion to this thread.

Look forward to hearing from you.
Vix

Step by step...here we go.

The pdf is my drawing redrawn and scaled to fit.

The shoulder fits a BT-55 with a 1.59" lip for the upper second stage shroud to fit onto.

The first pic is the part ready to turn.
The 1/2" wood dowel goes completely through the lower section and into the upper.

The gap with the dowel exposed (I'll deal with that later) will be under the interstage strut.

The second pic is the rough shaped part.