1/48 Monogram Grumman Lunar Module

Gallery Article by Vince Lucente

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Hello everyone.  My latest build is the Monogram 1/48 Grumman Lunar Module.  I chose to build the 'H' series version of the spacecraft designated LM-5, also known as the 'Eagle'.  As a young boy growing up during the 60's and early 70's I was fascinated by the space program and it's hardware, especially the LM.  I've always wanted to build a model of the worlds first 'pure' spacecraft.  After some searching on ebay, I was able to purchase the kit for a very reasonable price.   

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I began assembly with the descent stage (the lower octagonally shaped section of the spacecraft).  The kit comes with gold foil to simulate the mylar used as thermal shielding on this section of the spacecraft.  I chose to use gold mylar gift wrap instead.  It was more difficult to work with, but I think it produces a more accurate appearance.  The landing gear was covered with gold bare metal foil, then detailed with adhesive backed aluminum foil.  The flat black areas are painted pieces of mylar, cut to the proper shape and attached with spray on adhesive.     

Assembly of the ascent stage began by painting all the large pieces Model Master flat black.  The natural metal areas are aluminum foil backed with spray adhesive and burnished down with various homemade tools (an old credit card and a wooden meat skewer).  The rivet detail on the aluminum was done with the tip of a pointy file.  All the antennas were modified/detailed with spare parts and stretched sprue.  The docking window above the commanders position was missing, so I cut it out and filled it in with Micro Crystal Clear and Future floor polish.  I also drilled out all the RCS thruster quad nozzles (although the edges still appear far too thick).  The last step was to apply the decals to the descent stage.  After the photographs were taken, I remembers to add the EVA handrail that runs from the bottom of the ingress/egress hatch to the top of the ascent stage between the rendezvous radar antenna and the docking window.  This was a really satisfying project.  The overall appearance isn't too bad (although I could have spent more time refining some areas) and it was a nice change from modeling aircraft.  I hope you like it.  

Vince

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Photos and text © by Vince Lucente