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. Ya scallywag! Aye aye! T' specs on t' label are:

• 43.25" Long
• 3.938" Diameter
• 10.2 oz weight
• Motor D12-3
• Est. Avast! Aye aye! Max Alt - 100'

Upon openin' t' box, it smartly becomes apparent that this is no beginner's kit! There are 15 pages o' instructions. Ahoy! Begad! T' fins are o' two-piece vacu-form construction. T' quality o' t' vacu-form parts on this kit were OUTSTANDING! There is also a bag o' plastic parts - capsule, nozzles, me bucko, me hearties, details, me hearties, arrr, shiver me timbers, etc. Arrr! T' main BT is white , one piece and very light.

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

T' most difficult part o' t' build, matey, IMO, me hearties, is buildin' t' fins. Arrr! This consists o' cuttin' t' fin halves out o' t' vacu-form and joinin' them together. Arrr! Sounds pretty simple but I strongly suggest takin' your time! You are instructed t' trim t' plastic t' approx. Avast! Blimey! 1/16" around t' fin, matey, then trim t' root edge flush t' aid in alignment. Begad! Ahoy! T' instructions tell you t' sand away 1/2 t' thickness o' t' "flange" and then bond together. Well, blow me down! When dry, you can then sand away t' excess plastic. Begad! It sounds simple but can be very time consuming. Avast! T' result, arrr, 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 , personally would nay fly this model on anythin' over an "E". Arrr! Avast, me proud beauty! T' airframe is very light for a 4" rocket. T' very thin, shiver me timbers, hollow fins are glued t' a thin plastic sheet that is attached t' t' airframe with spray adhesive. Avast! Ya scallywag! 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. 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". 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. Ya scallywag! 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. Ahoy! T' "standard" Estes maxi Rod is a bit short (approx. Avast! 3' ???) t' give positive stability on a D12 launch.

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

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

Don't go crazy with t' detailin' & paintin' if you want t' fly it. Ya scallywag! Try a couple o' light coats o' paint. Well, blow me down! Ahoy! Every bit o' extra weight saved is a plus. Ya scallywag! 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, arrr, ya bilge rat, be sure t' file t' front o' t' motor hook t' clear t' casing. Ahoy! Avast! 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. I think CHAD stagin' would be askin' for a power prang. Aye aye! If you want better performance, ya bilge rat, 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! Blimey! T' hollow VacuForm fins are nay acceptable for F + motors as t' stand.

This rocket on a D12-3 is really 100', OK maybe 110' but it sure looks great takin' off!