[Flankerman]

I have been sent the test shots for the forthcoming Amodel kit of White Knight & Spaceship One.

They are without instructions and decals - so bear with me as I work out how to build it.....

The parts are typical Amodel - short-run, low-pressure injection moulding with good surface detail (not that there is much of that on the real thing).

The sprue gates are typically large - and need to be carefully cut down and sanded.

Here are the parts sprues.....

Upper and lower fuselages for White Knight...



.....outer wing parts - I will need to fit some sort of joining spars for strength ....



..... side boom parts.....



...fuselage parts and 'jetpipe' for Spaceship One...



....wings, fins and rocket motor parts for SS1...



Ken

[Flankerman]

More....

Two sprues of interior parts - including identical detailed cockpits - plus the jet engines for White Knight...



.....Pylon components and landing gear..



.... two identical 'nosecones' - they are a bit thick, but should be OK once dipped in Kleer/Future.



The biggest problem is going to be masking all those circular windows !! I hope Amodel will provide some masks in the kit when it is released....

I have made a start on the kit....

Component parts for SS1 - including the interior rocket engine



Cockpit assembled - SS1 (left) and White Knight...



....ready for painting.... (the instrument 'panel' is not fitted yet)



A few more photos - and build - here.

Ken

This post has been edited by Flankerman: 23 September 2009 - 09:49 PM

[AnthonyWan]

Can't wait to see your take on this one Ken! It's definitely on my to-buy list along with the Global Voyager single jet aircraft that flew around the world with Steve Fossett. (Have you seen that one? )

-Awan

This post has been edited by AnthonyWan: 24 September 2009 - 02:04 AM

[Flankerman]

AnthonyWan, on Sep 24 2009, 03:04 AM, said:

Can't wait to see your take on this one Ken! It's definitely on my to-buy list along with the Global Voyager single jet aircraft that flew around the world with Steve Fossett. (Have you seen that one? )

-Awan

I have seen, but haven't made Global Voyager - not really might scene (it doesn't have red stars)....

I'm only doing SS1 because I was asked to......

Meanwhile, some more progress....

White Knight engine parts - jet engine assembled at top.....



...anyone know why the engine is so exposed ???

Cockpits painted - they look like they are composite material in the few photos I have from the Internet - so I painted them matt black with gloss black bits - then dry-brushed to highlight.

I added some colour to the instrument binnacle and straps from tape. Not much is going to be seen through those tiny portholes...



SS1 with rocket motor installed - I'm not sure why the 'jetpipe' doesn't extend all the way to the rear - but a 'bell shaped' nozzle is supplied to hide it all.



I cleaned and then dipped both nose glazing parts in Kleer (Future)... this is White Knight with its glazing fitted...



.... same for SS1 - I added a plastic card 'shelf' around the fuselage rim to give the glazing something to rest on...



Here they are both together - I had trouble finding 'top dead centre' on the nose glazing - the portholes are marked with raised lines - but I could only just make them out...... you try counting sixteen (?) tiny, faint raised lines on clear plastic



There is now a slight step between the glazing and fuselage - which will have to be filled and rubbed down to eliminate all traces of the joint.

It's coming along nicely though..... but I am dreading masking those porholes.

I am thinking of ways to do it - maybe leftover Eduard wheel hub masks?? - but I need to find plenty all the same right size

Maybe try to cut out my own circles from Tamiya masking tape - but how ?? suitable diameter brass rod sharpened to make a punch ??

All ideas welcomed......

Ken

[AnthonyWan]

I'd use a non permanent market to trace the raised edge around a porthole, lay a sheet of paper over it, rub the image down on to the sheet. Photocopy the 'circle' or oval...then lay tamiya tape over it and cut it out with a sharp knife.
That's my best idea lol. Good luck

-Awan

[flyfort17]

Looking good
I cant wait to get my hands on one of these.

[Flankerman]

A bit more progress.....

I spent some time filling and rubbing down the joint between the glazed nose sections and the respective fuselages.

I isn't easy - because the rearmost circular windows are right next to the join - so there isn't much room for the masking tape.

A quick spray of white primer revealed that more work was needed - but I think I've got a smooth transition now....

I have added brass rod spars to the inner wing/boom/outer wing joint - for added strength....



This is what it looks like with the wings/booms temporarily attached - it is quite big, with a scale span of 38.5 cm (15.25 in)



Now, I need your help here - I only have a few pics of the real thing- found on't t'interweb, so my refs are a bit sparse.

I can see that there are two configurations and paintjobs -

One has SS1 with a protruding rocket nozzle, the other has the nozzle inside the rear fuselage.

There are also two distinct paint schemes - without and with red leading edges on the wings of SS1.

It is this latter configuration depicted by the Amodel kit - internal nozzle and (I assume 'cos I haven't got the instructions/decals yet) red trim on SS1.

One slight anomaly, the model only has one actuator fairing on the outer wings - starboard side.

My pics (of the combo without red trim) show fairing on BOTH outer wings??

Has anyone got a decent photo of the upper surface of White Knight (when SS1 had red trim) - showing the actuator fairings??

Was one removed when it was re-painted - or should I add the port side one from scrap plastic ?????

This is what I mean.....



Thanks for watching....

Ken

[Chappie]

Wow! I've been a strict 48th scaler, but I'm breaking that trend for this kit!! I love this, when and where can I get this kit when it is released?



Chappie

[JMan]

WOW, this is going to be awesome. I got to see this plane at EAA! Awesome!

[MiG31]

For what it may be worth, here is a photo showing actuator fairings on both wings. This is post-X-Prize, mind you, since it is carrying an X-37 test article.

[rob.w]

I built the Amodel kit for the Rutan Voyager kit about a year ago. Compared to the sprues on that kit these new ones looks almost Tamiya quality.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for them. These kits really draw attention, I know my Voyager kit does.

rob

[JMan]

So how much does one of these run?

[slick95]

Quote

Now, I need your help here - I only have a few pics of the real thing- found on't t'interweb, so my refs are a bit sparse.

I can see that there are two configurations and paintjobs -

One has SS1 with a protruding rocket nozzle, the other has the nozzle inside the rear fuselage.

There are also two distinct paint schemes - without and with red leading edges on the wings of SS1.

It is this latter configuration depicted by the Amodel kit - internal nozzle and (I assume 'cos I haven't got the instructions/decals yet) red trim on SS1.

One slight anomaly, the model only has one actuator fairing on the outer wings - starboard side.

My pics (of the combo without red trim) show fairing on BOTH outer wings??

Has anyone got a decent photo of the upper surface of White Knight (when SS1 had red trim) - showing the actuator fairings??

Was one removed when it was re-painted - or should I add the port side one from scrap plastic ?????

This is what I mean.....

I hope I can help a bit. First of all, AWESOME build!!!! I'm really glad I found this.

Anyway, the red trim on SS1 and the protruding engine nozzle are both "post landing accident" modifications. SS1 was stalled just above touch down during the testing faze and the left main gear collapsed while the aircraft slid off the side of the runway. The Red trim on SS1 is actually a carbon fiber patch to fix where the ship was damaged. The protruding look of the engine exhaust is an extension I believe, but the fuselage buckled a little during a test and the aft end crushed together a bit...making it look a little longer than it actually is.

Hope this helps!

SLICK

[Flankerman]

JMan, on Sep 30 2009, 06:06 PM, said:

So how much does one of these run?

JMan......

We don't know yet - these are just test shots, without instructions or decals.

I was sent the parts and asked to review it - which is what I am doing.

The originator in the Ukraine has said that the decals will be here 'in October'.

I assume it will eventually turn up in an Amodel box as a complete kit - but when and at what price, I don't know.

SLICK - thanks for the info regarding the red trim

Looking at the internet photos (and knowing very little about it) - it looks like the kit (and I assume the decals when they arrive) depicts the combo when it made its record-breaking two flights to claim the X-prize.

e.g. with red trim and 'short' nozzle - plus all those blue stars

http://www.scaled.co...ierone/gallery/

Ken

[Flankerman]

Meanwhile......

I made some circular 'porthole' masks......

I found a short length of brass tube of suitable diameter - and sharpened the end.

This was then used as a punch to cut out circles from a piece of Kabuki tape....

The circles were then applied to the glazing........



I had a bit of a problem locating the windows on the glazing - the etched cicles are not very clear - but with the help of some reference photos I was able to mask them OK - all sixteen of them!

I don't know if the Amodel kit will include masks when it is eventually released - I hope so ......

Ken

[Victorlas]

Stickers and instructions already draw!

[Blappy]

I had no idea this kit was on the horizon. A must have for sure!

[Flankerman]

The model(s) are finished - I am just waiting for the decal sheet to arrive.......

Don't forget - I made these without any instructions or colour guide - so don't be too critical .....





Note that both White Knight and Spaceship One are 'tail sitters'.

I added as much weight inside as I dared (the SS1 undercarriage is VERY delicate!) - but still not enough, so I scratchbuilt a ladder and an oil drum to support them....



Underside view....



Topside....



Should look OK once the decals are added.......





Is the pink/red trim on SS1 an ablative coating...????

(although Slick95 says it's a carbon-fibre patch to cover damage - but why is it on the nose, plus wing & tail leading edges?? )

More photos here.

Ken

[slick95]

Quote

Is the pink/red trim on SS1 an ablative coating...????

I'm not entirely sure why it is on the leading edges of the tail. I know it's a fix as far as the nose and wing go. Maybe they wanted it to look symmetrical? It probably does have more of a purpose than just a patch.

Models look outstanding by the way!

SLICK

[JMan]

WOW, for no instructions or paint guide they sure look awesome. These are the love children of Richard Branson arent they?