Graphi'System

Ariane 4 / Launch Pad

Brand : ShipStarModels

Name : Ariane 4 V159

Scale : 1/125

Year : 2008

Materials : plastics, plexiglass, polystyrene foam, modified Heller kit

This model was made for Mister Jacques Robin, manager of  "Graphi' System" advertisement billboards enterprise.

One of the big wishes of this manager was to have in his office a model which would attract the eye of his clients and so would contribute in better impact in the society slogan, I quote : " Graphi'System, un petit pas pour l'homme, un bon de géant pour la publicité."
Having spoken about it together, I perceived that this man was also a big passion of space and that rockets and other machines that the Human science created until today, were a part of its life.

Mister Robin wanted a model which he can easily move, not too voluminous but of average size, so that it is visible far away. He did not want either a "single" Ariane, between his files and computers. I proposed to him,  the rocket on its moving "wagon" and launch pad.

  Mister Robin visiting my workshop, I had placed on my desk, plans and pictures showing the real launch pad in Kourou. He was enthusiastic by the project and accepted.

The rocket

  I used the Heller Ariane 4 kit in 1/125 scale which I modified because there were defects. The bottom of four boosters takeoff  is cut. A replacement master piece was carved in plexiglass then engraved and molded in silicone and finally casted in resin. This cone detailis is for protect Vulcains engines mechanism. Boosters are glued under this cone, beforehand drilled and placed with a small metal shaft to facilitate and solidify the assembly. Four rounds detail plastic tubes were added under the base of the rocket which will take bells of main engines. Ailerons of stabilization were cut from boosters and placed on the rocket fuselage which is there, the correct place of it. I made the central detail piece of Ariane 4 (below the nose) in plastic tube,  covered with adhesive aluminium foil. In spite of my searches on the web, I was not able to find any indications concerning this detail. From my pictures, in takeoff, this one splits up there in several fragments. Maybe a protection system, no idea!

Painting, place décals, adding fine brass and aluminium strips , reproducing the circle detail of boosters and rocket fuselage.

Moving wagon

It was built in plexiglas like a box. A square is cut in its centre. A base, is in this create to place the vertical stabilisation system of the rocket. By regard of speed, I simplified the detail of this part. Four pieces, respecting my plans, made in plexiglass, are placed in X, according to the diagonals of the base. In reality, this wagon moves on railway and contains eight sets of four wheels each, so, 32 wheels! I have build all this set with tubes and plastic cards. The wagon, the wheels set and the support system, once glued must be perfectly centred and stable because Ariane's model hold in place only on four details of 7mm of wide each and wheels sets must be so seriously aligned too with good level. It is clear that if we missthis set, Ariane will look like the tower of Pise!!! Painting in all dark red.

The launch pad

You often noticed it and if you have already seen a rocket launch, towers are always half finished. Half or completeness of the building is naked ! Well, the Ariane 4 launch pad does not pass next to this rule.

I used polystyrene foam to build quickly the base of the tower until 3/4 of the total height. A putty comes to solidify walls. The " T " form base is made in the same way. Plastic card is glued in "plate" to give a complex and structured aspect especially in front of the tower for obtain goods salient angles. The visible floors are made in plexiglass sheets of 2mm of thickness. The column of elevators is in square tube of plexi, covered with streaked plastic card. The set is built like a "castel cards". The rest of floors are reproduced by painting for more speed. Detail elements such as parabolae, roof antenna, the white tanks and the piping are made with plastics tubes and details are made with commercial kits pieces. Cables and secure pipes between the rocket and the tower are made with stretched plastic colored threads, ( white, grey and black) to avoid me a boring painting with a brush.

The ground

A forex plate of 1cm of thickness will make perfectly the affair. I sanded it on the top with paper n° 240 and I obtained a finely granular surface which has reproduced the asphalt aspect. The wagon rails are made by carving. In reality, these rails are at the bank of the ground and not like the railways trains. Painting and finishes elements, patina with dry pastel pencils and graphite powder.

The display

It made with plexiglass panels of 4 mm in thickness. Quarters woodbar are glued on angles for a finishing rustic aspect.The slogan of the company is made with a small forex plate and letterings makes with computer.