Dr Zooch Mercury Redstone

[tonypv]

Here is my Dr Zooch Mercury Redstone that I just finished.
I had just started building my Redstone when U812 started a build thread for his Redstone here over on YORF. He used wraps that were created for the Estes Mercury Redstone that he resized to fit the Dr Zooch model.
I liked the wraps so I did the same. I added the fin tip plates useing some 1/64 plywood. I also made a more scale spike on the top on the tower.

 

[U812]

Just excellent!

Steve

 

[hcmbanjo]

I don't remember if these were ever posted or not.
This was my first Dr. Zooch kit, I've built six since.
It's close to the old Estes size without the five piece fins. The capsule print detail is much better than the older Estes MR.
The escape tower dowels in the original Estes version were press/ (steamed?) stamped out what looked like a piece of tight grained mahogany. You had to cut out the dowel "strips" and sand them round.
The three main vertical dowels were used as supplied with the kit. I did taper the diameter the cross-strut dowels.
I added the fin plates out of cardstock. TonyPV - I should have used the 1/64" ply, a better choice!
I like the detail from those cardstock model wraps, though.

 

[U812]

Very Nice!

Steve

 

[Fred22]

You guys have skills for sure
Cheers
fred

 

[tonypv]

Just excellent!

Steve

Thanks Steve.

I don't remember if these were ever posted or not.
This was my first Dr. Zooch kit, I've built six since.
It's close to the old Estes size without the five piece fins. The capsule print detail is much better than the older Estes MR.
The escape tower dowels in the original Estes version were press/ (steamed?) stamped out what looked like a piece of tight grained mahogany. You had to cut out the dowel "strips" and sand them round.
The three main vertical dowels were used as supplied with the kit. I did taper the diameter the cross-strut dowels.
I added the fin plates out of cardstock. TonyPV - I should have used the 1/64" ply, a better choice!
I like the detail from those cardstock model wraps, though.

This is my eighth Dr Zooch kit.
There is a lot of detail on the wraps that you can't see in the pictures.
The 1/64 ply I had on hand, so it was an easy choice.
I never built one of the original Estes MR, but I've see the instructions. The kind if build you can really sink you teeth into.
Your tower looks great. Much better than mine.

You guys have skills for sure
Cheers
fred

Thanks Fred.

 

[astropilot]

Nicely done.

 

[Dr.Zooch]

Just an interesting note for fun- when I did the Liberty Bell 7 wrap, I needed to do the window- but no matter how I animated it- it just looked fake. So, I searched and searched and finally foune a photo of the window on the actural Liberty Bell 7 prior to launch, from the proper angle, and I cut it out and shrunk it down and that is what is used on the wrap for the Liberty Bell 7 capsule in the kit.

 

[tonypv]

Nicely done.

Thanks.

 

[tonypv]

Just an interesting note for fun- when I did the Liberty Bell 7 wrap, I needed to do the window- but no matter how I animated it- it just looked fake. So, I searched and searched and finally foune a photo of the window on the actural Liberty Bell 7 prior to launch, from the proper angle, and I cut it out and shrunk it down and that is what is used on the wrap for the Liberty Bell 7 capsule in the kit.

Cool.
Always going above and beyond.

 

[Dr.Zooch]

In addition to that, I had to take a look at how to do the dimples on the shingles that make up the capsule's outer skin. Under the microscope glasses, the original Estes gave me a clue, but was not really close enough. So I had to do it the real way- animate it one shingle at a time and apply them in the image just like the real capsule. Also, as I recall, the strakes on the Recovery Compartment were wrong on the Estes, so I corrected that.

It's really cool that you can learn a lot about the vehicle by reading all of the old manuals to get these little details.

 

[U812]

Well you did a real good job and it gives clue to me on how to do the upgrade.


Steve

 

[Dr.Zooch]

Le'me send you some of the manuals... watch your e-mail

 

[U812]

Roger and check your snail mail soon. I sent you three capsules for that other ship.

Thanks!

Steve