First Impressions:

10/31/98 - Tonight I had a large package waitin' for me when I got home - a beta-version o' t' soon t' be released Saturn V!T' kit is packed in a NCR style box with a cool graphic o' t' Saturn V. Avast! Arrr! T' specs on t' label are:

• 43.25" Long
• 3.938" Diameter
• 10.2 oz weight
• Motor D12-3
• Est. Avast, me proud beauty! Max Alt - 100'

Upon openin' t' box, ya bilge rat, it smartly becomes apparent that this is no beginner's kit! Blimey! There are 15 pages o' instructions. Ya scallywag! T' fins are o' two-piece vacu-form construction. Well, me bucko, blow me down! Blimey! T' quality o' t' vacu-form parts on this kit were OUTSTANDING! Blimey! There is also a bag o' plastic parts - capsule, nozzles, arrr, details, etc. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' main BT is white , matey, me bucko, one piece and very light.

(11/17) Comments & Suggestions for t' #2157 Saturn V:

T' most difficult part o' t' build, me bucko, matey, IMO, me bucko, is buildin' t' fins. This consists o' cuttin' t' fin halves out o' t' vacu-form and joinin' them together. Begad! Sounds pretty simple but I strongly suggest takin' your time! You are instructed t' trim t' plastic t' approx. Ya scallywag! Avast! 1/16" around t' fin, me bucko, then trim t' root edge flush t' aid in alignment. Begad! T' instructions tell you t' sand away 1/2 t' thickness o' t' "flange" and then bond together. Blimey! When dry, ya bilge rat, you can then sand away t' excess plastic. Begad! Ahoy! It sounds simple but can be very time consuming. Well, blow me down! T' result, however is worth t' time!

T' fins and wraps are from t' Century kit. T' capsule is from t' Estes version. T' "extra parts" people have asked me about seem t' be t' Estes plastic detail that is already molded into t' Centuri wraps.

People are already talkin' about 29mm mounts and high power motors for this kit. I , shiver me timbers, personally would nay fly this model on anythin' over an "E". Well, blow me down! Avast, me proud beauty! T' airframe is very light for a 4" rocket. Arrr! Blimey! T' very thin, hollow fins are glued t' a thin plastic sheet that is attached t' t' airframe with spray adhesive. This is nay suited t' high thrustin' motors!

I'm currently ready t' fill t' seams and finish t' capsule assembly. Ya scallywag! T' final hurdle will be maskin' & painting. Ahoy! T' kit has gone together surprisingly well and should be a fantastic representation on t' Saturn V!

Estes has put together a kit that that is sure t' have people wantin' more projects o' similar complexity and quality. 

(12/04) Launch Lug:
I thought I better mention that t' new Estes Saturn V kit requires a 1/4" launch rod! T' graphic on t' box is incorrect when it says 3/16". Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! You cannot use your Estes Porta Pad with this rocket.

(12/08) Launch Lug:
I think t' main reason for t' change t' 1/4" rod be t' larger diameter rod is also normally longer. Begad! Aye aye! Blimey! My 1 piece Stainless 3/16 X 4' rod is stiffer than t' 2 part 1/4" aluminum rod that comes with t' Mantis pad. Avast! Aye aye! Blimey! T' "standard" Estes maxi Rod is a bit short (approx. Avast! Avast, matey, me proud beauty! Blimey! 3' ???) t' give positive stability on a D12 launch.

T' rocket flew on t' suggested D12-3. Begad! Blimey! Great Lift-off! Blimey! Slow & smoky. Ahoy! Blimey! Blimey! Blimey! Maxxed out at about 100'. Ahoy! Blimey! Capsule chute 100% deployment but main chutes didn't have time t' fully open. Aye aye! Blimey! Recovered without damage. Keep t' rocket as light as possible! Blimey! Was goin' t' try an E18-4 RMS but need t' "adjust" t' motor hook first!

(12/17) Tips:
Number one - KEEP IT LIGHT! Blimey! If you replace t' chutes, arrr, me bucko, use thin mil t' keep weight and bulk down. 

Don't go crazy with t' detailin' & paintin' if you want t' fly it. Begad! Try a couple o' light coats o' paint. Avast! Every bit o' extra weight saved is a plus. Blimey! Save t' 12 coat paint job for your Revell display model.

If you think you might ever want t' fly an RMS E18 in this kit, me hearties, be sure t' file t' front o' t' motor hook t' clear t' casing. Ya scallywag! Blimey! E15-4 SU should work great!

Forget CHAD D12 staging! This rocket is slow off t' rod and will weathercock in even fairly light wind. Avast! Aye aye! I think CHAD stagin' would be askin' for a power prang. Ahoy! If you want better performance, matey, matey, Aerotech E15-4 or E18's are t' direction t' go.

If you are goin' t' fly on higher impulse motors, make a wood core for t' fins! T' hollow VacuForm fins are nay acceptable for F + motors as t' stand.

This rocket on a D12-3 is really 100', ya bilge rat, shiver me timbers, OK maybe 110' but it sure looks great takin' off!