This is my first ever Sci-fi/Space subject and is another commission piece, which was built for a customer as an Out of Box model. Upon opening the box - which was similar to that which a jigsaw puzzle comes in - I was rather shocked at just how crude the kit parts were, but discovered that it was originally released under the Aurora label in 1969, which helped to explain a few things especially the warped cabin roof.
As I'm not a Sci-fi modeller by any stretch of the imagination and have never built anything like this before, I decided to invest in an issue of Sci-fi & Fantasy Modeller magazine, as it just happened to have an article in it on a Moon Bus diorama. This purchase proved invaluable as it became my sole source of reference throughout the build, as I'd only found a few build reviews on the internet and those which I had, varied significantly especially in regards to the color scheme for the interior. Another decision that I made early on in the build was to permanently affix the cabin roof to the lower hull, as its warped condition left significant gaps in several places, which I just couldn't live with.With the interior built-up the main cabin was then sprayed with Gunze H50 Lime Green and the forward cockpit floor then sprayed with Gunze H68 RLM74 Dark Gray. The remaining items of the interior were then painted according to the instruction sheet and my reference source, with just a little artistic license used here and there to add some interest.
Unfortunately, although this was the most time consuming part of the build once the cabin roof was fitted, little if any of my efforts were to be visible. With this part of the model now complete I then turned my attention onto building the landing legs and engine nozzles, which sadly are not the kits most endearing features. In all honesty had I been building this model for myself and not a customer I'd have definitely invested in some after market replacements, especially for the engine nozzles and attitude thrusters.
With the build now essentially complete, all joins tidied up and any gaps filled it was time to get down to the painting. The model was firstly primed with Tamiya Surface Primer (L) White and then checked for any imperfections. Satisfied that all was OK I then applied several coats of Games Workshop Skull White to ensure a consistent and overall color. Various areas where then masked as required - anti-glare panels, cabin door, attitude thrusters etc - and sprayed in their respective colors using Gunze and Games Workshop paints. Once this was all dry the Model was then sprayed with several light coats of Future floor polish, the decals then applied and another coat of Future applied to seal them in.
An oil wash was then made - consisting of Paynes Gray mixed with a little Titanium White - and applied with a fine brush around the various details and panel lines. Once this was dry the model was then sprayed with several light coats of Vallejo Satin Varnish, which gives it a very nice, overall, light sheen. With the painting now completed it just remained for the final bits to be attached - landing legs, engine nozzles and roof antenna - and the Moon Bus was finished. Eureka!............
With the build now essentially complete, all joins tidied up and any gaps filled it was time to get down to the painting. The model was firstly primed with Tamiya Surface Primer (L) White and then checked for any imperfections. Satisfied that all was OK I then applied several coats of Games Workshop Skull White to ensure a consistent and overall color. Various areas where then masked as required - anti-glare panels, cabin door, attitude thrusters etc - and sprayed in their respective colors using Gunze and Games Workshop paints. Once this was all dry the Model was then sprayed with several light coats of Future floor polish, the decals then applied and another coat of Future applied to seal them in.
An oil wash was then made - consisting of Paynes Gray mixed with a little Titanium White - and applied with a fine brush around the various details and panel lines. Once this was dry the model was then sprayed with several light coats of Vallejo Satin Varnish, which gives it a very nice, overall, light sheen. With the painting now completed it just remained for the final bits to be attached - landing legs, engine nozzles and roof antenna - and the Moon Bus was finished. Eureka!............
