Gemini-Titan - Card, 1/48th scale.

Real spacecraft just don't come more attractive than the Gemini-Titan launch vehicle -- all that gleaming metal, the "busy" thrust structure at the bottom and just the look of pure, unadulterated power. I figured it was time to do one in 1/48th scale, and since I work in card, that's what I decided to do. Fortunately, there are some good card models availalbe of the Gemini-Titan, and this model is a kitbash of two of them. The Gemini capsule is from the Delta 7 Studios "Project Gemini" CD (enlarged from 1/96th scale) and the Titan is from the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center's online gift shop. It is designed by Ton Noteboom, and comes in 1/48th scale.

Most of the card models done of the Gemini-Titan suffer from the fact that two of the key elements of the Titan -- the gleaming metal and complex Stage 1 thurst structure -- are hard to replicate in card. In an attempt to get over the first of these hurdles, I used a metallic paper that I found at the art-supply store. It is called "aluminum lines" and is what is known as a "cast coated text" paper, and is made by Wyndstone. It goes through the printer with ease. I used this paper for the metallic sections, and used a coated glossy white paper for the white sections of the Titan.

The thrust structure -- which is simplified to varying degrees in all of the card model kits of the Titan -- was a matter of getting good reference photos and drawings and then just sitting down and scratchbuilding the thing out of toothpicks, paper and small bits of wood. I figure since it's a card model, it's still ok to use the toothpicks and wood, since you use wood to make paper. I just prefer to call them "pre-paper materials."

Image: Nose

Image: Midship

Image: Tail

Image: Engine detail