MetalEarth Space Shuttle Launch Set - Endeavour

WARNING: Before you start, note that Fascinations have changed the way in which the parts are attached to the frames -- It's better!! This means you can get a flush edge! The attachment point no longer "eats into" the part.
Well done, Fascinations!!! 

Comprises of 3 large coloured frets 

Nose assembly - relatively easy 

End of page 2, wit the majority of work being the engines 

Three main rockets & and additional thruster on the RHS module. All pulls together pretty nicely. 

Looks "Shuttle-ish".........spellcheck will probably suggest "cuttlefish"!!! 

Both upper wing surfaces on 

Flipped over to show all the tabs twisted in place 

You need to use a roller (dowel) & base to do this properley.
I cheated with a little superglue too, and secret tabs/eyes.
**** then I noticed that I closed off the seal way too early, which made the next steps harder!!!! Bugger!! 

Delicate bracket around the rocket - requires patience & gentle pressure.  

Pipes down the side of rocket need careful bending - found the edge of a steel ruler to work well. 

plus some soft-jawed pliers 

in place!! 

Top & bottom added - first rocket completed.
This should be easier the 2nd time as I wont close it off so early!! 

Using my "coning" tool - almost the perfect angle! 

Just because you've done one, doesn't mean the next is a given....... but there's always - CA glue!! 

Dummy Pose 

Next to build the nose cone of the main tank - and it's a graduated cone, so must be done in "rings"!
First two piece joined, following instructions to the letter 

and on the inside, show the tabs still to be fully closed. 

preparation for the next graduation..... Eyes are bent in 90 degrees (mine too!!) - Tabs bent in about 45 degrees 

and it works!! 

Then to add the next (and last) graduation - again following assembly instructions 

And complete it with the base - all went pretty well! 

Bending half of the Main Tank, then adding components 

Then adding the two rockets - make sure they're well secured 

My insurance - I glued all the backs of the tabs, in place!! - enough for tonight. , . , . - . - , . - a bit high on the glue.....
will sleep well, I think!!! 

With the tanks side joined I decided to use ~round fillers to try to hold the right shape
1 at each end and 1 pushed up the guts!! 

Tank & Rockets complete - free standing too!! 

Attaching the "base" of the shuttle to the rockets was easy - attached the rest of the shuttle to the base, not so.
I think the best method is to attach pairs of tabs, with the two most inboard ones first, like so! 

Then the next pair on the body, towards the front of the shuttle - the rest work pretty well. 

Looks OK, from a distance.... 

but the "wing" shape is pretty awful 

and even worse on this side....... 

Decided to use "secret" tabs & eyes to make the base look neater 

Insurance - just a dab of CA glue on these tabs 

Getting the rocket tabs to line up with the base slots required a bit of twisting - glad I used the CA glue on the rockets!
You'll need to work on one at a time as there's too much going on to get it all tabbed at once. 

Ready for launch 

It's a bit of a squeeze here - fortunately nothing to anchor here, just a very tight fit!!!
Hope there's enough rocket power!!! 

Series of round the table shots 

More insurance here - CA Glue on all the tabs!!!
FINITO!!!