Futuristic Models' Moon Suit

[kevtk135]

I just love the Future Retro genre, and this Moon Suit fits right in. Based off of a cover pic in Life magazine, the kit is about 1/10-12 scale. Clear resin vs. vac form windows (not super clear but like it better). The decal carrier film is very thick, almost like it was a sticker, even after multiple coats of Micro Sol. Thankfully I cut it close (but not close enuff). Comes with the simple moon base.
Write-up starts here: http://kevtk.blogspot.com/2018/04/futur ... -suit.html

But here's the final result. Thanks for looking.

[Warped Speed]

I'm glad you built that Kev! I've got the same kit, but when I found them the one standing, not running, was sold out. Would much rather have had it because this one looks like he's running and I don't think they would have been running in low gravity. Anyway it looks good Kev, really nice piece to add to you space collection Who was it advertised a styrene one, was that Monarch? Would liked to have a styrene kit because it would probably would have been a larger scale and easier to build. I've looked at mine trying to figure out a way to replace the clear resin parts with clear styrene.

Thanks for the warning about the decals. I'll have to cut a mask for the # and paint it on. I see where the decal film shows. That is some THICK film!

Carl-

[kevtk135]

I'm glad you built that Kev! I've got the same kit, but when I found them the one standing, not running, was sold out. Would much rather have had it because this one looks like he's running and I don't think they would have been running in low gravity. Anyway it looks good Kev, really nice piece to add to you space collection Who was it advertised a styrene one, was that Monarch? Would liked to have a styrene kit because it would probably would have been a larger scale and easier to build. I've looked at mine trying to figure out a way to replace the clear resin parts with clear styrene.

Thanks for the warning about the decals. I'll have to cut a mask for the # and paint it on. I see where the decal film shows. That is some THICK film!

Carl-

Hey Carl, Thanks.
Looking for some info for the write-up, now I see the running ver. is sold out. At least they are making new copies, rather than 1 or 2 runs and then it's gone for good. I had actually forgotten I got the running one, but it's ok and the way it sits on the base, it gives the impression that the guy is very light (low gravity) on his feet.

Yes, I think it was Monarch that had the styrene one. Having a look, one site didn't list a scale, but said it would be "the same size as the Aurora kit."

The only clear resin piece that really needs to be looked at is the windshield. The other windows are small and IMHO not worth trying to replace, but could easily be done with some of that clear packaging plastic.
Re: the windshield, I guess the easiest way would be to take measurements. Then if you have a wood turning rig or knows someone who does, it looks like it wouldn't be too hard to make a plug. Then just vac form the plug...

Re: the decal, yes you'd be better off finding or painting a new one. I'm still thinking about pulling it off and doing something different.

[Warped Speed]

Yeah Kev, that's a good idea, I have a wood lathe. I also thought about cutting test templates out of paper to get the correct arch that when the ends meet would be the proper shape then trace onto some clear styrene. That actually shouldn't be too hard. I'll see when the time comes.

I agree what you said about the astronaut looking like he's walking in low gravity. But given the choice I'd rather have the other. Did I understand you said to say they are going to make another run on these? If they are I'll get the other one too.

I didn't know Aurora made this space suit! I've never seen one for sale anywhere so it must be rare as hens teeth!?

Carl-

[kevtk135]

Yeah Kev, that's a good idea, I have a wood lathe. I also thought about cutting test templates out of paper to get the correct arch that when the ends meet would be the proper shape then trace onto some clear styrene. That actually shouldn't be too hard. I'll see when the time comes.

I agree what you said about the astronaut looking like he's walking in low gravity. But given the choice I'd rather have the other. Did I understand you said to say they are going to make another run on these? If they are I'll get the other one too.

I didn't know Aurora made this space suit! I've never seen one for sale anywhere so it must be rare as hens teeth!?

Carl-

I you want a template, there is a freebee program out there called cone. Just put in the 3 measurements and it will draw the template for you. The frame thats included, are just posts, so it may or may not be enuff to use to joing the plastic sheet together. You may neeed to fabricate that also. But that's not too bad.

Oh, I'm not sure about restocking. It seems the guy's done it at least once, but who knows about the future. If sales become slow he could just bag it...

I didn't know about Aurora either. But I just read that on one of the webstores that had it still listed, but as sold out.

[Warped Speed]

Kevin, the more I look at your build the more I like it! I noticed you painted the arm and leg accordion areas black rather than white like on the cover of LIFE. Did the instructions call for black or did you decide on that color? Seems black would make more sense. I'll have to decide when the time comes.

Carl-

[patmoorea]

Nice work Kev

[kevtk135]

Kevin, the more I look at your build the more I like it! I noticed you painted the arm and leg accordion areas black rather than white like on the cover of LIFE. Did the instructions call for black or did you decide on that color? Seems black would make more sense. I'll have to decide when the time comes.

Carl-

Thanks. Very kind of you.
I knew of the Life cover, and the instructions had no color call outs that I remember. (My kit was just in a plastic bag with an orange card with two pics of exploded views.)
So I painted it as more as a little homage to Major Matt Mason.
https://wearethemutantsdotcom.files.wor ... 1967-4.jpg

Looking at NASA suits, I saw there were the orange, and the blue jumpsuits, so my guy has the blue suit.
The accordions were painted black with a subtle drybrush stripe of gunmetal metallics down the length. But to be different, I left the bottom stripe off, and scuffed the number.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks Pat.

[Warped Speed]

Plastic bag w/orange card is the way my kit came too. I couldn't remember if there were any color call-outs or not, I can't seem to remember where I put mine. Probably put it in a box and mixed in with all my other resin kits. I had forgot about the Major Mat Mason one. I've got a sheet of various size NASA meatball decals and may choose to use an appropriate size. It was a proposal for NASA after all! Could call it Apollo 19?

Carl-

P.S. Forgot to ask, how tall is this (w/o antennas), about 5" or so?

P.S. again. I just noticed you didn't use the safety ring beneath the glass. By choice or did it not fit well?

Thanks-

[kevtk135]

Plastic bag w/orange card is the way my kit came too. I couldn't remember if there were any color call-outs or not, I can't seem to remember where I put mine. Probably put it in a box and mixed in with all my other resin kits. I had forgot about the Major Mat Mason one. I've got a sheet of various size NASA meatball decals and may choose to use an appropriate size. It was a proposal for NASA after all! Could call it Apollo 19?

Carl-

Hi, Yep I do that also. I buy it, it goes in a pile, then after a while the small ones all go in a box. A year or two down the road I rediscover the box and it's like Christmas. LOL

Hey, the NASA meatball is a good idea. That could replace the gross number sticker in the front

P.S. Forgot to ask, how tall is this (w/o antennas), about 5" or so?

Yep, he's 5" (add another 2 for the antenna).

P.S. again. I just noticed you didn't use the safety ring beneath the glass. By choice or did it not fit well?

Thanks-

Yeah. That was a 2 fold decision. First the thing was warped to sh!t. Even the braces were all facing in a different direction. When I took it out of the bag the ring was snapped and while I glued it back smoothly I figured that was always going to be the weak point. Then I wanted him looking at the rock as he was running to report his discovery. To to do that the arm was glued that hand too high. I could have pulled the arm off, but at this point I was tired of it, and just called it done. I new ring could be fairly easy to make, but I was ready to move on.
A word of note. If you're doing the ring, glue it on before the helmet.

[Warped Speed]

I don't recall the condition of the ring in my kit. Thanks for the heads up on putting the ring on before the helmet. If mine is warped too bad I think I'll replace it. Like you said, it shouldn't be too hard.

Thanks,
Carl-

[griffin]

Might I suggest using that goldish film they have for model a/c? It could alleviate some of the clear resin dullness and add another touch of realism.

[veedubb67]

Yes, I think it was Monarch that had the styrene one. Having a look, one site didn't list a scale, but said it would be "the same size as the Aurora kit."

Monarch never produced the styrene kit. They developed the cover artwork and displayed it at trade shows, but it never came to fruition.

Rob
Iwata Padawan

[Vger]

I LOVE IT (sorry for missing this )
And I'm a (space) "retro-futuristic" addict too !

[kevtk135]

I LOVE IT (sorry for missing this )
And I'm a (space) "retro-futuristic" addict too !

Oh thanks! It's never to late.

[Foo fighter]

Me too! I’m late to the party but love the kit. Nice job Kev! Really cool.

[kevtk135]

Me too! I’m late to the party but love the kit. Nice job Kev! Really cool.

Thanks for the kind words.