Dr. Zooch Soyuz complete - Thanks rocketryforum!

[jdoolin]

I just finished my 6th Dr. Zooch model today, the Soyuz. I swear, these things are addictive. Building them is so zen and adding additional detail is just as much fun. I love how it forces you to think creatively and even do additional research.

A long time ago I ran across a thread here that was of immense help and inspiration in building this Soyuz. This thread showed me how fun it could be to add more detail than the kits called for. I've done it with every model since I've seen it. So thanks to the good folks here on this forum, and in particular to NJRick, whose magnificent work inspired me. This is the thread:

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?49802-Dr-Zooch-Vostok-build-thread

Here are a few photos. I tried to add even more detail, such as the SAS tower engines at the top, the porthole cover, tunnels, cables, the vernier thrusters and crafting the SAS stabilization panels to look more like the real thing. I also opted for the frost pattern paint scheme. Uh oh, I guess that means I'll have to build another one to look unfrosted.

Question is, which Zooch kit should I get next?

(NOTE: there's a Sky Shenzou model in there too)

 

[Bat-mite]

Nice!

 

[NJRick]

She is beautiful!! Awesome job!! Glad my thread was of some help. I would recommend the Zooch Saturn 1b....just an awesome kit. His lifting body is a close second to the 1b. I did build threads on both....both kits are fun to build and fly!

 

[mpitfield]

Very nice workmanship and attention to detail!

 

[GlenP]

.. which Zooch kit should I get next?

Saturn 1B and the smaller version Soyuz so you can have a matching ASTP set. Or the Shuttle, those are fun. Or the SLS... Or ...

Take a spent engine casing, or slit a body tube to fit in the engine mount, glue a mounting plate to the end of it and add four more Soyuz nozzles so you have a removable display set of nozzles for the inner set. Might have to make them a little smaller to fit.

Nice fleet you have there.

 

[Lowpuller]

Sweet, I hope you let it fly!

 

[jdoolin]

Saturn 1B and the smaller version Soyuz so you can have a matching ASTP set. Or the Shuttle, those are fun. Or the SLS... Or ...

Take a spent engine casing, or slit a body tube to fit in the engine mount, glue a mounting plate to the end of it and add four more Soyuz nozzles so you have a removable display set of nozzles for the inner set. Might have to make them a little smaller to fit.

Nice fleet you have there.

I'm really liking both of those ideas. I don't think Dr. Zooch has a smaller Soyuz kit, however. But I love the idea of the ASTP set.

 

[Daddyisabar]

Very Purdy. Build and fly them all!

 

[GlenP]

might be hard to find the smaller Soyuz, it was part of a box-set.
https://jonrocket.com/store/products/astp-40th-anniversary-limited/cat-1_38_62
you can still get the ASTP Saturn 1B with all-white tanks.

 

[jdoolin]

might be hard to find the smaller Soyuz, it was part of a box-set.
https://jonrocket.com/store/products/astp-40th-anniversary-limited/cat-1_38_62
you can still get the ASTP Saturn 1B with all-white tanks.

Ahh, cool. I wish that was still available.

Also, NJRick (and others), thanks for the kind words. I'm definitely going to use the Saturn 1B build thread for guidance. I think there's no question about it, Saturn 1B and the Shuttle stack are must-haves for Christmas this year.

I do plan to launch the whole Dr. Zooch fleet some day this week or next. I've also got an Apogee Aspire with an F10-8 for my first mile-high flight. My daughter has a couple and my wife even helped on a Superbird, so it should be a fun day.

 

[NJRick]

The Zooch 1b is my favorite model kit of all time...plastic or model rocket. It builds into a really nice Saturn 1b and you will be amazed at the materials used to reach the final product. The Zooch shuttle is another great kit! I have always liked his Lifting Body as well...since the design is based off of something he developed as a 16 year old, there is no official paint scheme..I like to paint mine as WWII fighters or experimental test aircraft.

you did an awesome job on your Soyuz! She looks fantastic!

 

[Woody's Workshop]

Impressively nice fleet!
I am Jealous!

 

[jdoolin]

The Zooch 1b is my favorite model kit of all time...plastic or model rocket. It builds into a really nice Saturn 1b and you will be amazed at the materials used to reach the final product. The Zooch shuttle is another great kit! I have always liked his Lifting Body as well...since the design is based off of something he developed as a 16 year old, there is no official paint scheme..I like to paint mine as WWII fighters or experimental test aircraft.

you did an awesome job on your Soyuz! She looks fantastic!

Okay, everyone is getting me pretty amped about building a Saturn 1B now. After I told myself to wait until Christmas. :wink:

It's funny, I didn't give that Lifting Body kit much of a look, as it isn't a scale of anything in particular. But I just saw your (NJRick) photos on modelrocketbuilding blog and the idea of a different paint scheme sounds like a lot of fun.

 

[NJRick]

The Lifting Body is a great little kit! The neat thing about it is that it is like a blank canvas....whatever scheme you want to paint it as is just cool. They fly great too. The Zooch Shuttle soars...the Lifting Bodies fly, but much faster. There are a some great threads out there on building them too. Luke Strawwalker's was the thread that inspired me.

https://www.rocketryforum.com/showthread.php?2092-Dr-Zooch-Lifting-Body-build-thread&highlight=dr+zooch+lifting+body


Dr. Zooch makes ALL of the versions of the Saturn 1b that flew. I love his ASTP version (all white tanks). His Apollo 7 (SA 201-205) is the same kit just with black and white tanks. You will love that kit!

Okay, everyone is getting me pretty amped about building a Saturn 1B now. After I told myself to wait until Christmas. :wink:

It's funny, I didn't give that Lifting Body kit much of a look, as it isn't a scale of anything in particular. But I just saw your (NJRick) photos on modelrocketbuilding blog and the idea of a different paint scheme sounds like a lot of fun.