Rick K Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 (edited) My Uncle, an antique dealer, ave me this wooden model what appears to be a shuttle. Looks like its at least 40 years old. I am going to sand and repaint. What is it? Anyone ever see anything like this? Any data on origin? Aerospace firm? Appears to be aerospace schwag for display on desk. A scale model envisioned by the builder? Project working towards an Eagle Scout? The holes are for display mounts. Curious what the #4 means, its a decal. Rear holes are for engine nozzles. I have them. You can also see original color, looks like FS Gull Grey. Some filling and sanding will be needed to repair the "fin" Edited December 6, 2017 by Rick K dutik and BiggTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Interesting.............. Rick K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Maybe part of the original bunch of test designs? https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS762US762&biw=1540&bih=849&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=fVsoWoyEMY7UjwPBqYX4DA&q=Shuttle%2C+original+concept&oq=Shuttle%2C+original+concept&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i8i30k1.24351.32340.0.32504.35.30.5.0.0.0.349.3895.0j18j2j2.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..11.16.2674...0j0i13i30k1j0i67k1j0i10k1j0i24k1j0i5i30k1.0.9P5PnAf1f7k#imgrc=_ Rick K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick K Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Maybe part of the original bunch of test designs? https://www.google.com/search?newwindow=1&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS762US762&biw=1540&bih=849&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=fVsoWoyEMY7UjwPBqYX4DA&q=Shuttle%2C+original+concept&oq=Shuttle%2C+original+concept&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i8i30k1.24351.32340.0.32504.35.30.5.0.0.0.349.3895.0j18j2j2.22.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..11.16.2674...0j0i13i30k1j0i67k1j0i10k1j0i24k1j0i5i30k1.0.9P5PnAf1f7k#imgrc=_ Perhaps. I'm thinking the old "Lifting Body" designs. Out2gtcha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Out2gtcha Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Yeah, it definitely has a 60s/70s X-plane, lifting body vibe to it. Rick K 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 (edited) Don't sand and re-paint it!! It's very cool like it is, and if it does have any historic or monetary value that will render it virtually worthless. It's original finish and markings establish its history. Just my 2 cents. Tim Edited December 6, 2017 by BiggTim NukerDan, Rick K, Adrian and 1 other 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 I wonder if that is a wind tunnel model. The rear holes look like they would be used to mount it in the airflow DO NOT SAND AND PAINT IT!! You'll destroy any value it may have Richard Rick K, Uilleann and BiggTim 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Mounted like this: Richard BiggTim, Rick K and Uilleann 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottsGT Posted December 7, 2017 Share Posted December 7, 2017 Yea, you need to leave that thing as it is. Could have some historical value to it, and even if not it tells a story as it is. Rick K and Uilleann 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chek Posted December 8, 2017 Share Posted December 8, 2017 (edited) I'd agree with leaving it as is to preserve any value it might have. It has elements of the X-34 shown below (although that dates from 1999) with a tail arrangement reminiscent of the X-24 series below (the Northrop M2 version being featured in the 6 Million Dollar Man intro crash) which would be from the mid '60s. . Edited December 9, 2017 by Chek BiggTim, Rick K and Uilleann 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ron Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Agreed. DO NOT SAND AND RE-PAINT THAT! If you do it will have less value than a Lego block. Research it or donate it to an Aerospace museum that will. Uilleann and Rick K 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoobyDoo Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Don't sand and paint. That would devalue it. I think it definitely is one of the early shuttle models, I've seen this design/model somewhere before. Uilleann and Rick K 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLWP Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Don't sand and paint. That would devalue it. I think it definitely is one of the early shuttle models, I've seen this design/model somewhere before. It also looks quite cruise missile like, which might explain why it doesn't have NASA on the side Richard Rick K and Uilleann 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Bellis Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 It looks like a VERY early piece from the program described here: http://www.afspc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/249897/space-shuttle-station-pioneer-remembers-exploration-dream-that-faded/ Since you live in DC, maybe take it to the Smithsonian for evaluation before doing anything else with it? D Rick K and Uilleann 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martinnfb Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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