Scratch Built 1/32 scale
Lunar Module 5
LM5 – Eagle

by Ron Denning

Encore's 1/32 scale Fokker Dr.I is available online from Squadron

This is a 1:32 scale scratch built model of LM5 (Eagle) from the Apollo 11 moon landing. I always wanted a LM to go with my 1:32 scale Command/Service module by Revell. Since I could not find a 1:32 scale LM model, I decided to build my own.

I scaled up the ever popular 1:48 Lunar module kit and started in.

The basic frame is 3/32”plastic bulkheads covered with a .020 thin plastic skin. The landing gear legs are tube plastic. The gear pads are plastic vessel ends. The thrusters are from another 1:32 scale service module kit. The foil covering is florist foil that is gold on one side and aluminum on the other. The descent engine nozzle is the main engine from a 1:48 scale service module. It was the perfect size. The ascent stage engine nozzle is the 1:48 scale LM descent engine nozzle. It too was the perfect size. The red/orange foil was developed from a red magic marker thinned with paint thinner. That gave it the translucent look of the real thing. The tape on the gear legs is scotch tape marked with a red marker. Again creating a translucent look of the real tape used. The US flag emblem and United States emblem on the descent stage are decals inlarged on a copier and applied to .010 plastic and glued to the foil.

Researching and building this piece of space exploration history was a great time. I still remember exactly what I was doing almost 42 years ago when Neal Armstrong stepped foot on the moon on July 20th,1969.

Model and Text Copyright © 2011 by Ron Denning
Page Created 20 June, 2011
Last Updated 20 June, 2011

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