The Amazing Moon Mixer
Jun 24, 2023 9:12:08 GMT -6
Honest Charlie, stevielewis, and 3 more like this
Post by flounder on Jun 24, 2023 9:12:08 GMT -6
From the "As an adult" file we have the Amazing Moon Mixer by Revell that I originally built when I was 10 or 11. The Klowns here at the Coffin Corner really helped out with the MCM article for this one. The background you all shared on the origins of this kit made this my favorite build to write about. THANK YOU! From to the Klowns at the corner, I learned that our friend Bob Paeth was responsible for the series, but engineer Lonnie Flanders was the one who birthed the Moon Mixer by putting an Apollo 11 capsule on the back of the on the open bed. Dave Deal did the art, and the rest is modeling history.
I am posting a few late in the process build pics to highlight some of the additions I made to the original design. There will be a few comments along the way. If you want to see the full build, the issue is available at Spotlight Hobbies. (Shameless plug)
Start at the start. The Dave Deal box art. That probably sold a lot of kits. That is our friend Bob Paeth in the moon suit. He had a cameo on all the DD box art for the this series.
Upgrade #1 - GravMaster gravity control system. This add on unit is used the keep the MM stable in the moon's low gravity environment. Those gold gravity units are resin copies of a Corvair cooling fan. The floor pan is scratchbuilt because I was missing the kit piece.
Upgrade #2 - CORS. (Closed Oxygen Recovery System) The lunar working environment is also oxygen free. The CORS closes the intake and exhaust and reroutes the gases to the magic CORS box. Add in a little liquid oxygen from properly OSHA labeled tanks and you are good to go. There is even a little carbon cleanout drawer at the bottom of the box.
Upgrade #3 - Cockpit controls - Both the GravMaster and CORS need to be controlled. So the kit's non-dash was upgraded with an engine turned control center. In the center are the 5 levers for the GravMaster and on the right is the CORS switch and carbon gages. Regular gauges are on the left.
Almost all together - This is to show the different textures used to create interest. The mixer drive is brushed BMF, the Moon Disk is polished soda can, the roof is masking tape. The wood bed is shelf paper, and my favorite - the bumpy floor is from the bottom of a food tray. All this engages the eye.
All together now - If you are saying this looks a lot like Dave Marek's version, you would be right. I loved the look of the Dave's wide stance Moon Mixer. When I did not have a complete set of the kit tires (Not liked by Bob Paeth) I went to the parts box and found the Richard Carroll repos sent out by one of our Klown Friends from OZ. (I wish I still had his name.) If you peek in the big hole in the moon disk, you can see the valve stem
The fun is in back - I was missing the capsule and my attempts to cast one were a failure. Don Culley to the rescue with a link to the same kit Lonnie used back in the day. It is actually more accurate to the Deal box art then the MM kit capsule. It did need to be shortened. All the decals are home made which gave me the opportunity to pay tribute to two of the great members of the forum who have passed. The red dot above Canney's name is the correction because an N is missing. It was fitting because Paul's Klown name is Typo.
A little fun in front too - There is not a lot going on at the font of the model. Drilled disk brakes helped. I decided to add a moonscape mural to the cowl/fuel tank and make the gas cap the earth. (The clear is several layers of future. I am not really happy with the results.)
Thanks again to Todd and everyone who contributed information for the article on this build.
I am posting a few late in the process build pics to highlight some of the additions I made to the original design. There will be a few comments along the way. If you want to see the full build, the issue is available at Spotlight Hobbies. (Shameless plug)
Start at the start. The Dave Deal box art. That probably sold a lot of kits. That is our friend Bob Paeth in the moon suit. He had a cameo on all the DD box art for the this series.
Upgrade #1 - GravMaster gravity control system. This add on unit is used the keep the MM stable in the moon's low gravity environment. Those gold gravity units are resin copies of a Corvair cooling fan. The floor pan is scratchbuilt because I was missing the kit piece.
Upgrade #2 - CORS. (Closed Oxygen Recovery System) The lunar working environment is also oxygen free. The CORS closes the intake and exhaust and reroutes the gases to the magic CORS box. Add in a little liquid oxygen from properly OSHA labeled tanks and you are good to go. There is even a little carbon cleanout drawer at the bottom of the box.
Upgrade #3 - Cockpit controls - Both the GravMaster and CORS need to be controlled. So the kit's non-dash was upgraded with an engine turned control center. In the center are the 5 levers for the GravMaster and on the right is the CORS switch and carbon gages. Regular gauges are on the left.
Almost all together - This is to show the different textures used to create interest. The mixer drive is brushed BMF, the Moon Disk is polished soda can, the roof is masking tape. The wood bed is shelf paper, and my favorite - the bumpy floor is from the bottom of a food tray. All this engages the eye.
All together now - If you are saying this looks a lot like Dave Marek's version, you would be right. I loved the look of the Dave's wide stance Moon Mixer. When I did not have a complete set of the kit tires (Not liked by Bob Paeth) I went to the parts box and found the Richard Carroll repos sent out by one of our Klown Friends from OZ. (I wish I still had his name.) If you peek in the big hole in the moon disk, you can see the valve stem
The fun is in back - I was missing the capsule and my attempts to cast one were a failure. Don Culley to the rescue with a link to the same kit Lonnie used back in the day. It is actually more accurate to the Deal box art then the MM kit capsule. It did need to be shortened. All the decals are home made which gave me the opportunity to pay tribute to two of the great members of the forum who have passed. The red dot above Canney's name is the correction because an N is missing. It was fitting because Paul's Klown name is Typo.
A little fun in front too - There is not a lot going on at the font of the model. Drilled disk brakes helped. I decided to add a moonscape mural to the cowl/fuel tank and make the gas cap the earth. (The clear is several layers of future. I am not really happy with the results.)
Thanks again to Todd and everyone who contributed information for the article on this build.
, we need to get you an upgrade.