Detailing your Revell 1/144 Space Shuttle Part 1 - Tile & Detailing Decals

So you have a Revell 1/144 Space Shuttle kit and you want to build her up in such a way that she'll look like a real shuttle. It is a nice kit, very basic and easy to assemble, and Revell’s version is by far the best shuttle kit in 1/144 scale out there. However she's not entirely perfect and do have some shortcomings, particularly with her inaccurate engine nozzles and very bare shuttle payload bay. This session will cover only the Revell 1/144 space shuttle for now.

1/144 Space Shuttle Atlantis Plastic Model Kit
Product ID: 80-4544
Overview
Skill level: 4
Scale: 1:144
Length: 252 mm
Wingspan: 167 mm
Parts: 64

This kit has gone through various box repackaging throughout the years with the latest highlighting on the Shuttle Atlantis. The parts however remain the same so it doesn’t matter which version you got, they are all still the same kit. Revell also has the most extensive range of 1/144 scale space shuttles, having her with her rocket boosters, riding piggy back on the Boeing 747 SCA, and even recently reissued her with the Launch Complex. In the past, she was also released attached to a fictitious space centre and another with a laser satellite. Those are hard to come by unless they too get reissued, or someone offers these via eBay. And I have seen some builds where they attached her to the Revell’s 1/144 ISS Space Station.

The assembly for the Revell kit is pretty much straight forward, just follow the steps right out of the instruction sheet. She does have the option to be build with a raised or enclosed landing gear, and the shuttle payload bay doors can be open to reveal her payload, or stay in a closed formation. For the space shuttle enthusiast, the challenge here is to get her to look as close as possible to an actual orbiter, whether she is floating above earth with her payload bay wide open, or when she is still strapped on to her Rocket Boosters. There are a few aftermarket parts you can use to get your shuttle up to spec, but the biggest challenge here is "how the heck do you replicate all those Shuttle Heat Resistant Tiles?" For one, they are not entirely flat black and even when seen from far, you can see those miniature tiles on her.

And what is so important about those tiles? Those tiles in question represent the Space Shuttle’s thermal protection system (TPS). There are seven different materials used in varying locations based on the amount of required heat protection needed throughout the shuttle. Hence the shuttle itself is not just white and black, but has a varying shade of greys, off white and metallic colours.

Simulation of the outside of the Shuttle as it heats up to over 1,500 °C during re-entry. You can see where it is the hottest and understand why the tiles vary from each section of the shuttle

If you decide to detail those tiles on your 1/144 shuttle kit, bear in mind there are 24,300 tiles on each Orbiter. And each of these tiles comes labeled with serial codes and numbers. You can see the close up details on those tiles here.

At 1/144 scale and even at 1/72 scale, it’s next to impossible to work on each individual tiles by hand. Hence many are relying on tile decals to do the work. Let's look at what's out there for the 1/144 shuttle tile decals.




Cutting Edge Modelworks Shuttle detailing aftermarket parts.

Cutting Edge Modelworks was once the fore-runner in providing for good after-market parts for the space shuttle kits. Unfortunately the company has long since closed its door. Many still sought for whatever that was left of its’ shuttle tile decals’ stock but they are quite rare now and may once in a while pop up at eBay. I myself have not seen the tile decals in person but I have read that the problem with Cutting Edge's tile decals is that it was engineered for the 1/144 Minicraft version, hence there is going to be some decal fitting issues. The decals were developed quite a long time ago and age may have made them somewhat brittle unless great care was given to maintain them.

Warbird Decals

All is not lost however as there is another company that is producing such decals. Warbird Decals have come out with their Space Shuttle Tile decals in 1/144 and it is engineered to fit exactly for the Revell kit. The decals are also very reasonable priced. This is a Model Plane Decal Company which offers some unique and historical subject options for your model aircraft in 1/144, 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 and it is based at a hobby shop called Warbird Hobbies in Alhambra, CA.

I had been liaising with the owner, Ed (don’t know his last name though) who heads this company and I can vouch for him as being dependable and trust worthy. Do take note though that if he has not replied your emails, give him some time as he is a trucker and may not have access to his email. I have managed to obtain his 1/144 set of decals both for the shuttle tiles as well as for detailing the other sections on the shuttle. Warbird Decals also offer a similar shuttle tile decals for the 1/100 Tamiya Shuttle kit, and will be releasing their 1/72 shuttle tile decals for the Revell kit in April 2015. Shipping was fast as well as I received my decals within 3 weeks from the date of purchase (all the way from US to Malaysia).

Ed had informed me that his decals are not entirely accurate (well, it’s not easy duplicating 24,300 tiles) but they will make a hell of a difference for your kit as compared against one that just have an overall coat of flat black on. You can write to him with your inquiries at warbirddecals@aol.com  if you are interested to know more.

Space Shuttle Tiles in 1/144

Here is the second part to the shuttle decals further detailing the overall shuttle. This second set is called the Space Shuttle Details Part II Decals 1/144

Here is how your kit would look like with Warbird Decals' shuttle tile decals.

I'm not very sure if there are any more companies or organization out there that does the Shuttle Tile decals in 1/144 scale (that are still in operation) but if any of you knows of one, do let me know. There are however a few that does the 1/72 shuttle tiles decals that I know of, but I'll highlight those another day.


Realspacemodels.com

Alternatively you can also opt for detailing decals from realspacemodels.com . But don't ask me which one is more accurate as I only get to see the Orbiter from pictures and youtube clips. What I can tell you is that I have both Warbird Decals and realspacemodels.com, and they are both very nice quality decals.