Model Rocket Building Blog
Estes Saturn V Box Picture -I finished up an Estes Saturn V build for a client. If you have a kit, look close at box picture. It is a picture of an actual build and not a C.G. image! Here's two things that could see improvement. On the upper transition there are four raised "nubs". I assume those are some sort of release ...[Read More]
Saturn V Build Part 53 Interstage Mask!You'll have to trust me on this - Don't try to mask and paint the entire model in one session! When you mask this interstage section you will understand what I mean. Do it alone with the wife and kids far, far away! I used a combination of Scotch tape on the straight areas and ...[Read More]
New Estes Saturn V PictureOn YORF, John Boren posted some information about the new #1969 Estes Saturn V: "The only thing that is the same on this kit from the last one are Most of the body tubes and the injection molded fins. EVERYTHING PLASTIC is new. Read the description of the kit on the Estes Web Site." Here's part of ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V "BONUS" RevealedI thought it would be a poster - On the Estes website yesterday, click on the number "3" in the main slide show window: CLICK HERE[Read More]
Estes Saturn V PartsOn the NAR Facebook page, James Duffy pointed out that Estes has added Saturn V parts to their website! CLICK HERE to see the listings. You can upgrade your old kit to the new specs.[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 1 Parts ComparisonLooks like I'm building TWO Saturn V models! (After I finish these up I doubt I'll want to look at another Saturn V for a while.) With all the various Saturn V builds shown on this blog, this new Saturn V build can be found in the SEARCH window as " 1969 ". This #2157 version featured the ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 2 Parts ComparisonAgain, the older wraps are at the top, the new ones are at the bottom. In the older kit, these two wraps were on the same plastic sheet. Now they are separate. The older wrap was two different pieces with formed basswood tunnels between them. The new wrap is larger, the tunnels are part of ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 3, Tubes PrepCheck the ends of the body tubes to see if there are any cut "stringers". The larger diameter the tube, the harder it is for the vendor to cut clean. Sand the ends flat and square. The big BT-101 tube has a lot of seams to fill. On the larger tubes, the diagonal wind angle isn't as steep. To see ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 4, Engine Mount AssemblySome thoughts on yesterday's post: I know most builders want to dig right in and assemble the model - then think about filling the body tube seams. With all the wraps and tunnels on the tubes, filling the spirals is difficult. You'll find it is easier and you'll get a better finish if you take ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 5, Gluing In Engine MountThe rear centering ring should end up 3 3/8" from the bottom of the main air frame tube. GOTCHA: Try a dry fit and you'll notice the rings seem small! The engine mount can slide right through the BT-101 tube, not a good friction fit. You only need to increase the outside diameter of the centering ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 6, Third Stage Centering RingsMost of this build series will be close to the order of assembly in the Estes instructions. While I wait for glued assemblies to dry I might bounce around the assembly steps. TIP: I used my sanding block to press the centering rings into the main body coupler. I'm not sanding here, just using the ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 7, Reinforcing Ring Fit?GOTCHA: On YORF, the great builder Jeffy Jeep noticed a measurement question in the instructions. The copy says the reinforcement ring should be 3/4" from the rear of the tube. The drawing says 11/16" or 19mm. Some responses agreed to go with the 19mm. GOTCHA: I've build half a dozen Estes ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 8, Primer/Filler and Shroud ScanThe third stage assembly was slid into the upper end of the BT-101 tube for spraying with Duplicolor Filler/Primer. Sliding the centering ring assembly down inside the BT-101 will protect the shroud gluing edges from getting covered with paint. The picture to the right shows masking tape inside ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 9, Third Stage Reduction ShroudHere's the slightly larger shroud from the #2157 kit. TIP: Use scissors on the curves, a knife and straightedge on the straight cuts. On my thumb is a piece of sandpaper. I'm sanding the edges, taking down any bumps. I tend to cut the glue tab a little wider than what is printed. On rougher card ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 10, Shroud GluingHere's the final fit, ready for gluing. The large end overlaps the coupler slightly, making a "stop" going into the BT-101 lower tube. The assembly is straight, there is some camera distortion. The instructions direct you to apply two lines of glue, one on the tube and another under the base end ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 11, Nozzle AssemblyThis is the type of glue you should be using - Bottled liquid plastic cement with the brush attached to the cap. Tube type plastic cement is iffy and not what it was fifty years ago. This stuff is very thin and evaporates quickly. Look at the nozzle halves. One side has small alignment pins, ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 12, Nozzle Paint and PlateTo hold the nozzles for painting, I punched hole in cardboard with a pencil. The pins in the top were pressed into the pencil holes. I also had to flip over and spray the nozzles from the top. There are lots of nooks and crannies to reach. The paint on the top was scraped off for gluing. For the ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 13, Cutting Out The Vacu-Form WrapsThe vacu-form wraps are cut out with a 1/16" border. That border gives you a small flat edge surface for the spray glue adhesion. I tend to cut the seam sides (right and left sides) wider than 1/16". The wrap is rolled around the tube and the over lap marked with pencil. The overlap is cut off, ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 14, Gluing the Vacu-Form WrapsI would recommend the Scotch 77 spray adhesive to attach the wraps. It does come in different looking cans. The "45" adhesive is meant for lighter applications, like mounting a photo in an album. "77" is a mid grade adhesive and allows for re-positioning. Trust me - You will probably be lifting ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 15, Interstage Wrap?Last February on the NAR Facebook page, Jay M. Chladek may have found an error - "If the wraps are aligned (as molded) and shown in the instructions, the vertical half round wood tunnels may not line up between the Inter Tank and Inter Stage vacu-form wrap locations!" To see the blog post: CLICK ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 16, Adapter and Third Stage WrapBe sure the edges of the Reduction Wrap are smooth and have a consistent width. this will effect the fit on the large tube edge. I wrapped some 220 grit around the BT-101 tube and ran the edges over it. The Third Stage Wrap was applied first so I would have a straight upper edge reference ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 17, FinsThe new styrene fins add a lot of strength over the old vacu-form fins. I used the liquid cement to assemble the halves. The liquid cement dries very fast. To start I brushed a line of of glue along the slim flat leading edge. I drew a pencil line on the fin to show where the first glue line ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 18, Cutting Out The Fin FairingsThe fin fairings are different than the tube wraps. The higher the vacu-form piece, the thinner the plastic sheet is stretched when molding. The high back arch and fin slots of the fairings are paper thin. They are easily cracked and creased. TIP: This might sound silly - but practice cutting ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 19, Fitting The Fin FairingsWrap and tape some 220 grit sandpaper around the BT-101 main body tube. TIP: Sand the REAR of the fairings first, otherwise the back end will flex and possibly crack. Sand the rear, from side to side . The overhang lip will get thin and eventually crack off. Now concentrate on the sides ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 48, Decals Start, Part AThere are about 40 decals to apply! Hold the decals up to a light and you can see the clear coat border. I'll be cutting the decals close, about 1/16" from the printed image. TIP: Every decal sheet seems to be different depending on where it was printed how old it is. Always start with a ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 49, Decals Part BFor consistent placement of the A, B, C, & D fin decals, TIP: Make a template from cardstock. Trace around a fin leaving some area on the outside for a "handle". Trace on both sides for both sides of the decal placement. Set the decal in place, check the alignment with the template. Some of ...[Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 50, Decals Part CThese camera targets could be saved for last, after you've had some practice with the larger decals. Again, tweezers help with placement. Be sure there is water set down in the corrugations before setting these down. When the dots are straight and in position, press a paper towel over the top and ...[Read More]
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