OC Fair

I visited the Orange County Fair this summer.

This model of a mission won a prize.

It is 1/48th scale and included Pegasus Mission Indians.

The courtyard was particularly nice I thought.

This small diorama used 1/72nd scale figures.

It was WWII US vs Japanese.  Pretty interesting to see main stream use for models.

Neptune Moon Part II

Operation Neptune Moon was the US Navy plan for a Moon base run by the Navy.

 

This special prototype was designed to test fit the parts together and to train both the space crew and the maintenance crew.

 

 Only half of the rocket motor was shown to permit access more training opportunities.  The large void is the liquid fuel tank.

 

This prototype was designed to be taken apart to enable access to the interior.

 

My friend Randy, from Fidelis Models, purchased this model, used, and decided to give it to me.  I used it to create the fictional Project Neptune Moon program.

Neptune Moon

In 1958 the US Navy began project "Neptune Moon."  The idea was to send four US Navy men to the Moon as a start to building the first Moon base.  The Moon was ideal for observing all the worlds oceans and keeping an eye on the ships and shore facilities of potential enemies.

This is the final prototype for the stage that would actually land on the Moon and return to Earth. 

It included a four man capsule, that was two levels.  The lower level housed sanitary facilities, galley and two bunks.  Two crewmen were to be awake and on duty at all times.

This prototype was designed to test the fit of the components, and allow for crew and maintenance training.

The Navy planned to built 53 of these and transport 212 men to the Moon from 1960 to 1965.  They estimated that the Moon base would require between 16 and 32 men at any one time depending on the tempo of operations.  The rocket required a minimum crew of two to operate.

Typewriter

My WWII German division headquarters needs typewriters.  I looked into buying them but they were really expensive.

Making typewriters in mass production.

A division HQ uses several typewriters, and I have several divisions!

Bits of plastic rod for the roller and bits of plastic tabs for the return.

I have almost completed these.

The first one is done!

An officer types an important dispatch.

A mighty host of typewriters ready for service.