spacecraft – Nick Stevens Graphics

Accura Space Models NK-33, a review

I rarely post reviews, but this is something of a special case. I spotted the model of the Soviet NK-33 rocket engine, and decided to treat myself to one. As I am very clumsy, I ordered the built version. I was offered a nice discount if I reviewed it on Social Media, but you will be able to judge the quality for yourself, as I will show lots of details, and you can see exactly what you get.

Historical Background

The NK-33 was developed for the Soviet N1 Moon rocket, by the Kuznetsov engineering bureau after the Soviet Union’s foremost Engine designer, Valentin Glushko point blank refused to develop the engines.

if you want more information on the history of the engines, there’s an excellent “Equinox” documentary on YouTube, with a LOT more information:

Ordering the kit.

Ordering was straightforward, and once the model was assembled and painted, Evangelos Agas got in touch to discuss the best way of getting it to me. I went for DHL, as I wanted to be sure it would arrive safely. In practice, it as exceptionally well packed, and I think special treatment is not required.

During the long build process, Evangelos kept me in touch with progress, showing me how it was coming along:

Here’s the box, partly unpacked:

NK-33 model in the box — NK-33 model in the inner box

The separate layers of foam made for great protection, and the layers had numbers cut into them, to make it easy to reassemble if you need to. The box shown was inside another larger box with a lot more foam packing for even more protection. You can also see the authenticity card, and the nice shiny base stand. The authenticity card is the same size as a bank card, to help you understand the scale.

I managed to knock off one small part while getting it out, but Evangelos responding in minutes with a clear illustration of where it went, and a couple of dabs of superglue soon had it restored as good as new.

As you can see, there are some delicate parts here, (required for accuracy and detail), so you will need to be fairly careful when handling it. But it fits snugly onto the stand, so display won’t be a problem. Continue reading “Accura Space Models NK-33, a review”

The ten most beautiful rockets!

Ok, this is bound to be highly subjective! But for what it’s worth, here are the ten most beautiful rockets, in my opinion.

10. Electron.

The shape is simple but the paint job wins the prize. New Zealand based, which is why we have what is effectively a rocket wearing an All Blacks rugby shirt.

I note they also claim to have the most beautiful launch site in the world, and having visited New Zealand, I am willing to accept that.

The AXM Electron Rocket — The Electron Rocket

Continue reading “The ten most beautiful rockets!”

The Cosmic Exploration Card Decks

My latest commercial project is the Cosmic Exploration Card Decks, which is running as a Kickstarter.

Each card in the deck features a spacecraft, modelled for accuracy and detail. We have had test prints done, and the whole thing is ready to go to print as soon as, (if?), the kickstarter completes successfully.

Continue reading “The Cosmic Exploration Card Decks”

N-1 For the Moon & Mars, a second edition.

I’m pleased to announce that we are going ahead with a second edition of the book, “N-1 for the Moon and Mars”.

If you would like to be kept informed of progress, I have set up a newsletter that will report details, and share some early views of new content. You can sign up here:

https://t.co/5h6ZQQz22c?amp=1

I expect to post short updates every week or two.

The first edition has been pretty much impossible to get hold of for some time, with stupid money being asked for a copy.

Cover, 1st Edition, N-1 for the Moon & Mars

What will be added in the new edition?

Continue reading “N-1 For the Moon & Mars, a second edition.”

Modelling CGI rockets, part 2, worked example

So, in part 1 I showed you how to locate and work with references.

Here in part 2, I’m going to work an example, the Mercury Atlas. I’ve done it in one long part again so it’s easy to print. (Handy hint! You may be able to print to PDF to get a portable version…)

I’m not going to give blow by blow instructions to build the model yourself, but you should see enough examples of techniques used to address common elements in modelling rockets.

Now I have Rockets of the World, so I can use the dimensioned plans from that – small version follows, (deliberately too small to use, as its copyrighted).

But you can do a good job without. Using methods described in part 1, I was able to locate some perspective free views, at good resolution. Click for a larger image: Continue reading “Modelling CGI rockets, part 2, worked example”

A guide to modelling CGI rockets, part 1, references.

Some of the most popular items I model are rockets, and to be honest – they are not that difficult. The basic shape is normally a series of cylinders and tapers, topped with a cone!

So I thought it might be a good idea to write a general guide on how I go about it. I’ve done it as one long article, so it’s easy to print if you wish. Continue reading “A guide to modelling CGI rockets, part 1, references.”

The Rocket Library

In 2018 I was doing an international commute, and wanted something I could work on effectively while travelling. Eurostar is pretty comfortable, (particularly in standard premium), and the new laptop was seriously powerful, but I’ve never found it easy to work with a touch pad, and there wasn’t enough space for a mouse.

So I came up with the idea of tidying up the various real spacecraft I have worked on, and assembling sets of images rendered perspective free, to a standard scale, which would make it easy to clearly show the different sizes of the various spacecraft.

This soon became the Rocket Library project!

A collection of most of the rockets I have modelled, all done to the same scale.

(Click for a larger version.) Continue reading “The Rocket Library”

The Saturn 1B model, Follow along with the build.

I gather from Twitter that some people find it interesting to follow my approach and progress when building a new model. So here’s a blog post where I will show how a project comes together, with lots of illustrations.

My starting point is to gather references, particularly high resolution photos, and plans with dimensions. Fortunately this one is covered in the excellent “Rockets of the World” by Peter Alway. It’s not highly detailed, but I find if you can get the overall dimensions of major features correct, then it’s not too tricky to fill in the rest from good photographs.

Continue reading “The Saturn 1B model, Follow along with the build.”

The National Space Centre, Leicester

I visited the UK’s National Space Centre, partly to get better references for a CGI “Skylark” rocket, and thought it was worth a blog entry. I’ll be publishing reference photos, for the benefit of other modellers, in a separate post.

It’s located on the outskirts of Leicester, and a bit of a pain to get to if you are not familiar with the local public transport system. Easy to spot by it’s distinctive shape, dominated by the Rocket Tower.

The National Space Centre Web Site Continue reading “The National Space Centre, Leicester”

Soviet Manned Lunar Craft Designs

Galina Balashova

Before I get started I must give credit. The illustrations here are largely by Galina Balashova. Little known in the west, she was responsible for the interior design of pretty much every Soviet spacecraft. Combining Art and Architectural skills, it was her job to make the spacecraft a productive, pleasant environment.

If you have any interest in this area, the book “Galina Balashova, Architect of the Soviet Space Program” is absolutely essential, and is packed with elegant and informative paintings and drawings.

Continue reading “Soviet Manned Lunar Craft Designs”