Building the Estes Apollo 11 Saturn V: Tips, Tricks, and Modifications

K'Tesh · Feb 10, 2016

So, the Estes Apollo 11 Saturn V is likely to generate a degree of interest perhaps not seen before for a model rocket kit (with the possible exception of the Estes 1/45 scale Little Joe II). Let's use this thread to share any wisdom gleaned from previous kits and during the process so that everyone can be successful with their kits.

(apologies to James Duffy)

[EDIT] Upon finding that there is no Apollo II Saturn V that ever flew, I corrected my mistake which was based on Estes' mistake).

burkefj · Feb 10, 2016

You mean Apollo XI

K'Tesh · Feb 10, 2016

For those with the older kit from the 1980's that had the shorter engine hook of the 1990's E motors, I found (with my Mercury Atlas) that the engine hook can be bent out flat (using a couple of needle nosed pliers), then re-bent to accommodate the longer modern motor.

Of course, you could always just cut it off, and then use tape to friction fit the motor.

grafgulch · Feb 10, 2016

I take it Estes is re-re-releasing the Saturn V once again?

K'Tesh · Feb 10, 2016

burkefj said:
You mean Apollo XI

The 2016 catalog shows that kit number 2157 is listed as the Apollo II Saturn V on pg 10-11.

[EDIT] Research shows that Estes catalog has this one wrong, and I was going off of that. I've corrected the OP and title.

KenECoyote · Feb 10, 2016

burkefj said:
You mean Apollo XI

I believe it's actually Apollo 11; however Estes font makes it look like "I I" (maybe copying it from elsewhere/some previous reference).

KenECoyote · Feb 10, 2016

Also it doesn't help that Estes' catalog shows the "Apollo Little Joe II" along with the "Apollo II Saturn V" on the same page. :tongue:

K'Tesh · Feb 10, 2016

KenECoyote said:
Also it doesn't help that Estes' catalog shows the "Apollo Little Joe II" along with the "Apollo II Saturn V" on the same page. :tongue:

That, and the kit number 2157 clearly has a "1", where the Apollo shows "ll" which I simulated here with lowercase the "L" instead of the capital "I".

It's also true that before Apollo XI, there were the other flights of the Saturn V (Apollo 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10) and then there were the flights after it (Apollo 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and Skylab).

But no Apollo 2, Saturn V.

tim cubbedge · Feb 10, 2016

It's not being released until Summer.

KenECoyote · Feb 10, 2016

timbucktoo said:
It's not being released until Summer.

Maybe Jim finally found the factory in China! (Or wants to enjoy rocketry vicariously. :wink

K'Tesh · Feb 10, 2016

KenECoyote said:
Maybe Jim finally found the factory in China! (Or wants to enjoy rocketry vicariously. :wink

Nope... But for those that have successfully finished a Saturn V, this is a good place to showcase their tricks to the rest of us (instead of lots of forum searching).

KenECoyote · Feb 10, 2016

K'Tesh said:
Nope... But for those that have successfully finished a Saturn V, this is a good place to showcase their tricks to the rest of us (instead of lots of forum searching).

Great idea!

chrisudy · Feb 10, 2016

I used Chris Michielssen's excellent modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com site while building my Saturn V. I replaced the 24mm mount with a 29mm mount for the newer Estes 29 mm black powder motors.

Chris

ImageUploadedByRocketry Forum1455154606.967077.jpg

jeff_j_black · Feb 10, 2016

I got the 2157 a couple of years ago. A great build. Plan on taking your time. Need a good permanent spray adhesive for the plastic corrugations. The only issue I had was the wood glue caused an indentation on the circumference of the body tube, where the centering rings were attached. Not really noticeable unless you get close up.

This bird flies really nice on the 24-60 F35 reload. So take that into account when considering the thrust ring and motor hook installation. (Use an E length hook)? And you might need to add some weight to the nose if you go with the F35.

Oh and I did not use the stock chutes either, used one of the big ones that was intended for the booster on the top half and replaced the pair for the booster with some larger ones.

I might buy this one again! Got the first one on sale at Hobbylinc for $50 at the time.

Looks great on the desk too as a display. I cant wait to put the Little Joe next to it!

EXPjawa · Feb 11, 2016

chrisudy said:
I used Chris Michielssen's excellent modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com site while building my Saturn V. I replaced the 24mm mount with a 29mm mount for the newer Estes 29 mm black powder motors.

Chris
View attachment 282072

What are the thoughts on how well those motors lift the weight of the Saturn V, which falls into PSII territory? Has anyone done a OR or Rocksim model with an E16 or F15? I'd wondered why John didn't make this update to begin with and take advantage of the newer motors. It seems like it ought to be self-evident, unless the design requires too much ballast to balance properly. But the catalog's project 150' altitude on the recommended motors is low enough to make me nervous should bonus-delay become a factor. I'd prefer to have a motor that would get a few hundred feet out of it...

As a tangent thought, with the reintroduction of this kit (and the pending release of the Semroc Saturn 1B), I also wonder how that'll impact sales of Apogee's 1/70 scale kits. Those kits are more expensive, but they're bigger and seem to be very well detailed. Not that it really matters, they really probably appeal to a different customer for those same reasons.

chrisudy · Feb 11, 2016

EXPjawa said:
What are the thoughts on how well those motors lift the weight of the Saturn V, which falls into PSII territory? Has anyone done a OR or Rocksim model with an E16 or F15? I'd wondered why John didn't make this update to begin with and take advantage of the newer motors. It seems like it ought to be self-evident, unless the design requires too much ballast to balance properly. But the catalog's project 150' altitude on the recommended motors is low enough to make me nervous should bonus-delay become a factor. I'd prefer to have a motor that would get a few hundred feet out of it...

I added a little bit of nose weight (don't remember exactly how much) to bring the CG of mine back to stock. It's still well within the safe weight for an E16. It'll probably still work well on E30 too...

Chris

TRFfan · Feb 11, 2016

EXPjawa said:
What are the thoughts on how well those motors lift the weight of the Saturn V, which falls into PSII territory? Has anyone done a OR or Rocksim model with an E16 or F15? I'd wondered why John didn't make this update to begin with and take advantage of the newer motors. It seems like it ought to be self-evident, unless the design requires too much ballast to balance properly. But the catalog's project 150' altitude on the recommended motors is low enough to make me nervous should bonus-delay become a factor. I'd prefer to have a motor that would get a few hundred feet out of it...

As a tangent thought, with the reintroduction of this kit (and the pending release of the Semroc Saturn 1B), I also wonder how that'll impact sales of Apogee's 1/70 scale kits. Those kits are more expensive, but they're bigger and seem to be very well detailed. Not that it really matters, they really probably appeal to a different customer for those same reasons.

Here is a link to the RKT file.

https://www.rocketreviews.com/unknown-estes-saturn-v-1100-scale.html

James Duffy · Feb 11, 2016

K'Tesh said:
So, the Estes Apollo 11 Saturn V is likely to generate a degree of interest perhaps not seen before for a model rocket kit (with the possible exception of the Estes 1/45 scale Little Joe II). Let's use this thread to share any wisdom gleaned from previous kits and during the process so that everyone can be successful with their kits.

(apologies to James Duffy)

No apology required, I'm thrilled that you took the idea and ran with it!

James

K'Tesh · Feb 11, 2016

James Duffy said:
No apology required, I'm thrilled that you took the idea and ran with it!

James

Wanted to make sure that people knew that I was giving credit where credit was due.

All The Best!
Jim

K'Tesh · Feb 11, 2016

TRFfan said:
Here is a link to the RKT file.

https://www.rocketreviews.com/unknown-estes-saturn-v-1100-scale.html

Ok, upon looking at it in OR, I can say for certain that I WILL NOT be trying any of my OR magic until I can get one of these in my hands, and I'm not hopeful that I'll be able to replicate all the surface detail in a pleasing manner. I might be able to do something about the paint schemes, but that's about it.

TRFfan · Feb 11, 2016

Could you make the Fairings in OR?

K'Tesh · Feb 11, 2016

TRFfan said:
Could you make the Fairings in OR?

No, at this stage in OR's development, I couldn't. If I were to try, it'd turn out with square sides.

TRFfan · Feb 12, 2016

Could any of you recommend a tool that could be used for cutting out the transition wraps? I don't think I have steady enough hands to finish the job.

TRFfan · Feb 24, 2016

Kruegon · Feb 25, 2016

If it's the part I think you are talking about, many drafting supply ships have circle guides. Literally circles of varying size for drawing purposes. They are hard plastic. They make excellent xacto knife guides for cutting curves in cardstock.

I've also used paint cans, mixing bowls, jar lids, etc. just search for one that matches the same radial curve as the piece you are cutting.

Building the Estes Apollo 11 Saturn V: Tips, Tricks, and Modifications

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