Skylab (Original Design)

This model depicts Skylab as it was meant to be – as it would have been if the black and white micrometeoroid shield had not been torn away shortly after launch.

The printed Apollo Command Module cone used to be easily sourced direct from LEGO but is no longer available. There are still some available on BrickLink, but if you’re having difficulty sourcing one (assuming you don’t have a spare to reuse one from the Saturn V set), you could substitute it with an unprinted White, Dark Bluish Grey r Light Bluish Grey one, as all three of those colours appeared on the Skylab Command Modules.

There are two BrickLink XML files – one with hidden parts coloured as in the instructions (I’ve used the most common/cheapest or next-cheapest colours according to Studio) and one with all the hidden parts set to ‘Colour Not Applicable’. Personally, I’ve had mixed (and more expensive) results when setting colours to ‘Not Applicable’ but YMMV!

The OWS section reuses some structural elements from the original 1:110 Skylab MOC by Eiffleman on LEGO Ideas. And although this began over a year ago as a modification of a design by 0 Gravity Bricks and tech_niek (itself a modification of Eiffleman’s model) not all that much remains from their version. It must be said, though, that without their earlier work I would never have been inspired to try to tackle Skylab myself!

Do check out my other Skylab model, which shows the space station as it actually appeared in operation after the damage caused during the launch

I hope you enjoy building and displaying Skylab. I’d love to hear any feedback you have!