Saturn 1B - 1/23 Upscale

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WOW!! you need a VAB for this rocket! Looks awesome! I also like that your cat came down to inspect it too...lol....looks fantastic!

After my wife retired for the evening, I got curious as to how this thing would look assembled.

I haven't built the parts that would hold the CF upper airframe tube in place, but I have enough of the internal structure to stack the parts and get a feel for the overall height.
My curiosity eventually got the better of me, so I figured - let's have a look.
There is only one place in the house the whole thing will even fit together and not hit the ceiling when assembled, - the stairwell.

I know it doesn't really show that well in the picture, - but I got to say I felt a little queasy just looking at this thing.
Maybe it was the late hour, ....or those pink curtains.

View attachment 306972 View attachment 306973 View attachment 306975
 
Only you would start a project like this - can't wait to see the finished project.
 
:). We missed you today
I wished I could have made it out today...we promised my wife's best friend a birthday dinner as she did the same for both of us on our birthdays.
Spent some time in the office as well, getting caught up prior to leaving Thursday for the holidays in Asheville NC thru Christmas.

Got some more work done on this thing this afternoon, so it wasn't a total loss, as far as rocketry goes.

The K drag race today sounded very cool.
And apparently you are the "baddest in the land" as they say at MDRA.
 
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I wished I could have made it out today...we promised my wife's best friend a birthday dinner as she did the same for both of us on our birthdays.
Spent some time in the office as well, getting caught up prior to leaving Thursday for the holidays in Asheville NC thru Christmas.

Got some more work done on this thing this afternoon, so it wasn't a total loss, as far as rocketry goes.

The K drag race today sounded very cool.
And apparently you are the "badest in the land" as they say at MDRA.

Well the lightest of the three and only commercial motor. But I'll take it! :horse:
 
What spray adhesive did you use? on my foam projects I used 3m-77 and it does not melt the plastic, and I've found that CA accellerator will debond and remove the adhesive if I get it wrong, which I've done a few times.....


Frank
 
Anyone building, or have built a 1/100 Scale Saturn 1B model? I am thinking of a build from the re-released Estes Cat. No. 2157 SA-506 kit? Tips, Recommendations on the first stage!
 
Anyone building, or have built a 1/100 Scale Saturn 1B model? I am thinking of a build from the re-released Estes Cat. No. 2157 SA-506 kit? Tips, Recommendations on the first stage!

You are converting the Estes Saturn V to a Saturn 1B?

I've got the Semroc Saturn 1B kit, haven't built it yet.
But that kit will be useful for determining how you would assemble the first stage from scratch built parts.
You can look at the parts and instructions and kind of determine what to do , and simply adjust the dimensions.
https://www.rocketreviews.com/semroc-astronautics-corporation-saturn-1b--by-frank-casey.html
CG is something to pay attention to, I think there has been discussion elsewhere online.

If you have the $ and can go 1/70th - Apogee has the kit available:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_5_Kits/Saturn_1B_1_70th_Scale

Think the Semroc kit is OOP....here is a build with cluster mod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOq3hQrqwH0&feature=channel_page

View attachment 308972


A look on Ebay shows those vintage kits get pricey.....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Semroc-Fly...855538?hash=item23702d0b32:g:OgIAAOSwZVlXsPTa
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Es...410101?hash=item237aff58b5:g:qWkAAOSwjDZYcYWk
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Class...961889?hash=item25ccdf14e1:g:uCYAAOSwEzxYcoAY

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BKVG9O/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20..................LOL!
 
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You are converting the Estes Saturn V to a Saturn 1B?

I've got the Semroc Saturn 1B kit, haven't built it yet.
But that kit will be useful for determining how you would assemble the first stage from scratch built parts.
You can look at the parts and instructions and kind of determine what to do , and simply adjust the dimensions.
https://www.rocketreviews.com/semroc-astronautics-corporation-saturn-1b--by-frank-casey.html
CG is something to pay attention to, I think there has been discussion elsewhere online.

If you have the $ and can go 1/70th - Apogee has the kit available:
https://www.apogeerockets.com/Rocket_Kits/Skill_Level_5_Kits/Saturn_1B_1_70th_Scale

Think the Semroc kit is OOP....here is a build with cluster mod:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOq3hQrqwH0&feature=channel_page

View attachment 308972


A look on Ebay shows those vintage kits get pricey.....
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Semroc-Fly...855538?hash=item23702d0b32:g:OgIAAOSwZVlXsPTa
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Es...410101?hash=item237aff58b5:g:qWkAAOSwjDZYcYWk
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Class...961889?hash=item25ccdf14e1:g:uCYAAOSwEzxYcoAY

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BKVG9O/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20..................LOL!

The link for the Semroc Saturn IB looks like it might be eRockets the current owner of Semroc, after visiting the eRockets website the Sat1B is indeed available at that same Evilbay price.

https://www.erockets.biz/semroc-flying-model-rocket-kit-saturn-1b-ks-1/
 
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I built the 1/100th scale SA-506, Estes Cat. No. 2001, anniversary kit ($52.29) in 1990. It is magnificent. Now, I want a matching scale SA-205 kit by it's side. The Saturn 1B kit MUST be identical in scale to the Apollo 11/Saturn V - SA-506 kit. For the first stage I am planning to use (8) BT-20's for the eight Saturn 1B exterior fuel tanks, surrounding a single 29mm engine tube, all joining with the 2157/BT-80SV, (SA-205's second stage - third stage on the SA-506).

Having just bought the re-released Estes Cat. No. 2157 kit (under $50 usd). I think I have what I need to join its third stage and Apollo assembly to the Saturn 1B Booster to make my 1/100th scale Apollo 7/Saturn 1B - SA-205. There seems to be plenty of Saturn 1B construction documents out on the internet to scale off of and to build by.

Thanks for the input, and keep the tips and recommendations coming. I will be posting build pics and some of my own ideas and CD's as the build progresses.
 
The link for the Semroc Saturn IB looks like it might be eRockets the current owner of Semroc, after visiting the eRockets website the Sat1B is indeed available at that same Evilbay price.

https://www.erockets.biz/semroc-flying-model-rocket-kit-saturn-1b-ks-1/

I'm just conjecturing, but I think that Randy probably posts stuff on fleabay because more people are likely to find stuff there than find his eRockets website, i.e., greater exposure. I'm guessing that buying from his eRockets site probably results in him getting a larger share of the actual cost. Based on the quality of the other Semroc kits I've purchased, I'm sure it is worth the price.
 

you beat me to the link of my 1/100 scale clone build thread https://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=5065 buried in there are drawings of the model I built and info about after market vacuform wraps available from grafgulch (he's a member on TRF too).

edit: now that Estes is selling the 1/100th Apollo capsule that part should be easy now!!
https://www.estesrockets.com/033100-plastic-parts-set-2157
 
My order of Rocket Poxy came in from Apogee - so some assembly will follow, but I'll be doing some component prep prior to starting assembly.


Rocket Poxy.jpg
 
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Been looking carefully at the fin can ring before I make the first cuts into the ring for the eight fins.

Getting the correct spacing and vertical alignment for each fin before making those cuts took some careful consideration.
I had used an aluminum angle iron to draw longitudinal alignment lines on the center MMT for both the tank tube centerlines and fins.
I used those lines to attach the tank tube spacers on the MMT, red for the centerline of the eight tank tubes on the spacers, black for where the eights fins will attach to the MMT.
These two spacers have extensions on them indicating generally where the eight fins will go.
There will be Rohacell tank tube structural supports where the red lines are.

Thought I would do a test - checking the alignment.
I cut out a foam core bulkhead to hold the central MMT inside the fin can ring and then check the red and black alignment lines on the MMT with the marks on the ring that should line up with the MMT alignment lines.
Didn't take too long to realize something was amiss with some of the lines on the central MMT where the fin roots should go, - appeared the spacing between some of the fins varied slightly.

The lines I had made on the ring for making cuts on the fin ring seemed off as I went around the ring.


So I did the math to determine the correct distance between each fin....and then drew up a big fin guide template for the fin can ring, using those calculations to correctly draw fin algnmnent lines on the template with even spacing between each fin alignment line.
Next step...use the fin template and wrap it on the fin can ring to check the previous guidelines drawn on the MMT that match correctly - ignore the ones that don't - and redraw final fin lines as necessary for the cuts.
I used fins to visually verify placement.

Fin Can template.jpg
 
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After making a fin template with correctly spaced fin lines (using a calculator and not the previous MMT alignment lines) - I applied the template to the fin can ring and made new fin guidelines for the cuts (I'll ignore the alignment lines on the MMT - they must have been off - I think the angle may have been throwing off the lines as I rotated it - or the tube was skewed while drawing them on the MMT - it is a long part and not easy to manage with only two hands).

Using a right triangle and scrap spruce spar, I made new marks on the fin can ring template - transferred those to the fin can ring, pulled the template and wrapped masking tape around the ring to indicate where each cut would end vertically.

Fin Can Template A - 90 degree line.jpg Thru the wall fin.jpg
 
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Using a cutting wheel on a Dremel drill I made quick work on the fin cuts...first checks appear to have come out ok.
Here's one cut showing alignment line on MMT.

Fin Can cut - alignmnet guide.jpg
 
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After I attach the fins thru the wall of the fin can to the central MMT, I'll add supports along the fin root on the MMT.

Keeping with the lightweight concept ....the fins will get foam and CF on the external portion outside the fin can ring.

Foam on fins.jpg
 
I am truly loving how we started with such a similar build concept and have such divergent approaches! I'm learning a lot on my build, but I'm learning as much or more from yours. I am curious to see how you're going to shape your fins.

(And I had similar marking issues on my fin can. I expect more of the same when I start adding ribs and details to the S-IVB stage)

Awesome stuff!
 
I am truly loving how we started with such a similar build concept and have such divergent approaches! I'm learning a lot on my build, but I'm learning as much or more from yours. I am curious to see how you're going to shape your fins.(And I had similar marking issues on my fin can. I expect more of the same when I start adding ribs and details to the S-IVB stage)
Awesome stuff!

Good thing you came along with your project, as it confirmed a few things I had thought about and gave me some new ideas as I proceeded.
The fin can ring shroud at the fin tips that will taper from the fin can ring to the tank tubes, is probably one of the more difficult parts to do...that will likely require a lot of trial and error fitting.

Fin shaping...guess I'll get to that soon enough.
I'm using pink foam on the sides of the fins so I think it will sand to shape.
I may not worry too much about an accurate shape from root to tip and LE to TE.
 
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