DIRECT 3.0 launchers

[MartG]

For a while now I’ve been intrigued by the Jupiter family of launch vehicle contained in the DIRECT 3.0 proposal – this proposal was to cancel NASAs Ares I and V launcher development and replace them with two versions of a cheaper ( and quicker to develop ) single vehicle. This would have a 1st stage based on the Shuttle external tank with two SRBs and a payload fairing on the nose – an optional 2nd stage would be used for heavier lift missions. The favoured configurations are known as Jupiter-130 and Jupiter-246 – see www.directlauncher.com for more details



As the only model available to date is a paper one, I decided to have a bash at making them in 1/144 scale in resin.



The first part I made was the SRBs – I made these in several sections as the Jupiter proposals include options for the existing 4 segment SRBs and the 5 segment version developed for Ares and wanted to have the option of building either version.







Then I started work on the core 1st stage – the pic below shows the first test shot fresh from the mould tonight.







Now to start on the payload fairings ( standard and wide versions, manned and cargo ), then the 2nd stage for the -246

[MartG]

Well I've finally finished the resin 1/144 Jupiter-130 model, with alternative payloads too.

Cargo version


Manned version


Disassembled



More pics on my website at http://homepages.tesco.net/martin.goldsack/144.htm

Edited by MartG on Tuesday 8th February 13:51

[dr_gn]

Nice work - I'm very impressed by the fact that you make your own parts.

What do your resin moulds look like: are they split solid moulds or rubber?

I'm using some aftermarket resin at the moment, and some of the tiny detail appears to have undercut surface features which would appear to be difficult or impossible to release from a conventional solid mould (unless it was multi-part). I can't believe it would be a multi-part mould judging by the 'head' blocks and the overall size of the parts.

Cheers.

[MartG]

All the moulds are one piece RTV silicone

[MartG]

I've now finished the Jupiter-246 two stage version



Next to an Airfix Saturn V to show the relative size


Disassembled

[perdu]

This is very impressive modelling, I like it mucho

doc, when I used to mould me own with RTV moulds I found undercuts were fairly "easy" to allow for, but making a couple of PT6A engines was nothing like as impressive as this work

knock out stuff