{"id":1271,"date":"2011-06-26T15:29:03","date_gmt":"2011-06-26T23:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rightonreplicas.com\/blog\/?page_id=1271"},"modified":"2011-06-27T03:57:24","modified_gmt":"2011-06-27T11:57:24","slug":"shenzhou-5-spacecraft-01615-scale-172-review","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.rightonreplicas.com\/blog\/?page_id=1271","title":{"rendered":"Shenzhou 5 Spacecraft #01615 Scale 1:72 Review"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Twitt\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>

RoR Review 20110627* \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Shenzhou 5 Spacecraft #01615 Scale 1:72 Review<\/span><\/p>\n

\"a000\"<\/a>
\nBuy This Kit \u00e8\u00b4\u00ad\u00e4\u00b9\u00b0\u00e6\u00ad\u00a4\u00e5\u00a5\u2014\u00e8\u00a3\u2026<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Review and Photos by Doug Cole \"Doug\"<\/a><\/p>\n

For the modeler \u00e2\u20ac\u201c this review takes a look at the lone offering for the Shenzhou spacecraft from Trumpeter in 1:72 scale. This kit appears to have been copied from yet another model of the spacecraft that was released by the Chinese around the time of the launch and may have some discrepancies from the real launch vehicle. Despite the kits relatively low part count of 83 pieces, there are some tricky construction techniques required and some design choices that make this a skill level 2+ model kit.<\/p>\n

\"a001\"<\/a>
\n001 The kit comes attractively packaged and protected with photos of China\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first manned space flight on the side panels. The kit includes two sprues, a base and stand along with the instruction sheet.<\/p>\n

\"a005\"<\/a>
\n005 The easiest part to start with is the return module because it comes in just two halves. Assemble the halves together and set them aside to dry.<\/p>\n

\"a002\"<\/a>
\n006 Number the command module parts on the inside and remove them from the sprue.<\/p>\n

\"a007\"<\/a>
\n007 Place the first two parts together with some slow setting glue and match the outside seams as closely as possible. Note that part #2 has a notch that fits into the base.<\/p>\n

\"a008\"<\/a>
\n008 The completed command module should fit together well if you adjust the seam fit to ensure as good an alignment as possible.<\/p>\n

\"a009\"<\/a>
\n009 Assemble the re-entry module to the command module.<\/p>\n

\"a010\"<\/a>
\n010 Seams, seams, seams! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll quickly find that the bane of spacecraft models\u00c2\u00a0are the seams. Use a putty or glazing compound (I used 3M Glazing compound here thinned with acetone) to fill the edges of the seams.<\/p>\n

\"a011\"<\/a>
\n011 Assemble the payload antennae section and set it aside to dry.<\/p>\n

\"a013\"<\/a>
\n013 Number the pieces of this section before you remove them from the sprue then begin the assembly of the payload section with two of the three halves.<\/p>\n

\"a015\"<\/a>
\n015 Complete the assembly with some slow-setting glue so that you can match up the seams.\u00c2\u00a0Fill them with some modeling putty and sand the seams smooth. Add the external canister shown in the photo.<\/p>\n

\"a016\"<\/a>
\n016 The top of this unit will have some seams that need to be filled in also. I used some Squadron Green putty here.<\/p>\n

\"a017\"<\/a>
\n017 The bottom of the command module has quite a few pin marks from the mold process. The one nearest the rocket nozzles will be mostly covered by those units. The ones near the four holes toward the center will need to be filled and sanded smooth.<\/p>\n

\"a018\"<\/a>
\n018 The pin marks are filled in this photo and the rocket motor blocks are added.<\/p>\n

\"a019\"<\/a>
\n019 The solar panels have some pin marks on the mounting poles that need to be filled.<\/p>\n

\"a021\"<\/a>
\n021 I added three applications of Elmer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s white glue to these pin marks to fill them in.<\/p>\n

\"a022\"<\/a>
\n022 Paint the same side of these panels flat black.<\/p>\n

\"a023\"<\/a>
\n023 Paint the opposite side, at the pivot end, as well.<\/p>\n

\"a023a\"<\/a>
\n023 Apply some gold Bare Metal Foil to the panel. Wrap it around the edges and trim off the excess with a sharp hobby knife.<\/p>\n

\"a024\"<\/a>
\n024 Some of the holes in the command module need to be enlarged to accept the external parts. The best way to determine this is to test the fit the parts and see if they need to be enlarged. The best way to do this is to use a pin vice and hobby drill bit\u00c2\u00a0of the appropriate size.<\/p>\n

\"a027\"<\/a>
\n027 Assemble then add the external parts to the main body according to the instructions.<\/p>\n

\"a028\"<\/a>
\n028 Add the aerial to the top of the payload section. Note that there are seams that need to be filled and sanded there also.<\/p>\n

\"a030\"<\/a>
\n030 Here is the completed main section. The best color scheme match that I could find was flat white for the command module, silver for the reentry module and medium gray primer for the payload section.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"a031\"<\/a>
\n031 Wrap the antennae in chrome Bare Metal Foil and trim off the rest. There is also a black stripe between the main scetions of the spacecraft. I used some 2 mm tape stripes for that (see final photo also for detail).<\/p>\n

\"a033\"<\/a>
\n033 Paint the rocket nozzles silver and glue them to the main module.<\/p>\n

\"a035\"<\/a>
\n035 Here is the completed spacecraft.<\/p>\n

\"a036\"<\/a>
\n036 Paint the base flat white then use a pencil to trace the relief molded into the base and use some Parafilm M to mask off the base. Use a sharp hobby knife to follow the relief outline then peel off the tape exposing the land mass of China.<\/p>\n

\"a037\"<\/a>
\n037 Use some bright red paint to highlight the Chinese mainland.<\/p>\n

\"a038\"<\/a>
\n038 Peel off the Parafilm “M”tape to show the completed base highlighting the country of China.<\/p>\n

\"a039\"<\/a>
\n039 The completed model should look something like this!<\/p>\n