1/48 Wings Atlas D Update 12

The above image shows the long equipment pod and the instrument tunnel that I fashioned out of 1/8″ x 1/16″ styrene strip. I rounded the corners of the top and then sanded the tip of the equipment pod so that they matched. Here they are just dry fitted to show the attachment.

Next I used some 1/4″ half round stock cut 1/2″ long to create a rate gyro housing. I marked where the tapers started and then sanded a taper from the mark to the end to match the instrument tunnel. Here they are just laid next to each other. I also sanded a curve into the back of the rate gyro housing to match the curve of the Atlas body.

I next drew a line down the side of the acrylic body where the completed assembly will be attached. I placed the equipment pod on the body and taped it in place. Next, I measured and cut the proper length of instrument tunnel and taped it to the body so that one end was touching the tip of the equipment pod. I used Tenax to glue the tunnel to the body. The rate gyro housing was glued to the end of the tunnel. When all that dried I removed the tape and the equipment pod. Here is a photo.

I’d been debating with myself on how to do the stainless steel panels on the Atlas. My painting skills are just not up to snuff to do what I’ve seen in a couple of other builds. So I decided to do what I’ve seen in some smaller scale Atlas models and scribe lines to represent the bands. I measured out the distance between stainless steel bands according to what I see on the Weeks drawing and made small marks. I did this at four places around the acrylic tube. I then used Dymo label maker tape to mark where I need to scribe lines. Here is a pic of the tube after applying the Dymo tape.

I then regretted attaching the tunnel before scribing the lines. It made marking the tube just a bit more difficult. I’ll be scribing the right side of each tape band. For the tapered cone of the resin section I used Tamiya vinyl flexible tape. That helped me get a more accurate curve on the scribe lines. I also added four additional marking lines to help get the tape to the correct shape. Here’s a photo.

I started scribing with the tapered part. Once again scribing on the right side of each tape line. I tried not to make the scribed lines too deep or wide. I just want hint of where the bands are. Here’s how it came out.

I did the same to the acrylic tube. I’m pretty pleased with both of them.

I then added the remainder of the instrument tunnel. I used Tenax for the portion that was on the acrylic tube and Plasti-Zap CA for the remainder that was on the conical resin part. Here is a photo.

Next I’ll add some more of the details that need to also be painted stainless steel. That’s it for now. Thanks for looking.

Back to Update 11 or skip to Update 13.