Saturn V from Arkansas [Estes #2157]

[Crawf56]

The "hook" also seems to represent this antenna. Does anyone bother to put one on both sides?

Homer

The 'hook' is for the parachute orientation. Does not mention the antennae in the instructions. But adding a second hook to duplicate the antennae is a good idea.

 

[Crawf56]

Attaching the Launch Lugs. They have a slight offset, to clear the wraps. I am using a 1/4" diameter launch rod to make sure they are aligned.

 

[Crawf56]

And another quick assembly pic, just for fun:

 

[aerostadt]

Nice Looking model!!

 

[Crawf56]

A few observations:

SCRAP PARTS
Don't throw anything away. The instructions are often telling you to use scrap material for construction.

FIN/FAIRING STRENGTH
I have been surprised how strong the Fin & Fairing design seems to be (used 5 minute epoxy). Will see how flight test goes.

FOAM SAFE CA
Very mixed results. Worked good sometimes; sometimes not.

ESTES INSTRUCTIONS
Very, very good.

 

[Crawf56]

Using some 5 minute epoxy with microballoons to fill gaps.

 

[Crawf56]

Using Testors spray enamel Flat White for my base coat.

 

[Crawf56]

And throwing a little paint on the Saturn V. For the Main Body, I held it in the center, and painted the top third and bottom third. Then painted the middle. The 3rd stage was not in place during the painting.

I applied two coats, being careful not to spray so much paint that it ran.

 

[Crawf56]

x

 

[Crawf56]

Below is an RC model of a German WW1 observation aircraft. This was my DFW C.V.

After all the work, it never made a complete circuit of the RC field.

Lesson: Flight test a model as soon as you are able, prior to putting on scale details. I will do some painting, because it is easier to do before some parts are permanently assembled.

 

[Crawf56]

Masking the top of the 3rd Stage.

 

[Crawf56]

Testors enamel paints: Aluminum and Flat Black.

 

[Crawf56]

The Flat Black caused the sprayed Flat White to blend a little. Will need a second coat.

 

[Crawf56]

The lip on the conical wrap gave an edge for me to paint against (with a brush). The whole thing was previously spray painted Flat White, and the Aluminum/silver was brush-painted by hand.

 

[Crawf56]

While I had the Aluminum paint out, I decided to do some work on the Fins and Fairings. Note that I did some painting on the inside of the Main Body Tube, to help protect it.

 

[Crawf56]

Ok, time to work on the Tower Jet. Here are the instructions; gets a little odd, because Estes shows it being built upside-down.

 

[Crawf56]

And here are the parts.

 

[Crawf56]

And the nozzles are little. Get the tweezers.

There was quite a bit of flash. Those snips were absolutely helpful (got at Hobby Lobby).

 

[Crawf56]

My plan is to keep the Tower Jet on the Saturn V at all times. So, it has to be strong, and that means epoxy.

Using epoxy means time to set (at least 10 minutes). Which means I must think about how I build.

The instructions recommend putting the Tower Skirt on a flat surface with spray adhesive. I did that, and attached the Nozzles with 5-minute epoxy.

 

[Crawf56]

Next, you are supposed to 'tack' the Tower Legs into position on the Skirt. However, since I am using epoxy, I think I am better off attaching the Legs, Skirt, and Capsule at the same time.

There are good support holes for the Legs in the Capsule, that can hold the Legs while the Skirt is set in position at top. Or this may be a bad idea. We shall see.

 

[Crawf56]

Well, here is my plan. Assembling the Tower Skirt, Legs, and Capsule. By the way, Estes recommends that you may not WANT to launch with the Tower Jet.

So, this may be a bad idea. (Not my first one. )

 

[Crawf56]

By the way, Leg orientation is important.

 

[Crawf56]

Almost finished with the Tower Jet. Adding reinforcing epoxy, and will paint.

 

[Crawf56]

By the way, looking back through the instructions, I saw where the projected altitude for the Estes Saturn V with a D12-3 engine was 150 ft.

 

[Crawf56]

Well, an interesting day. Did CG test (rocket on a string, balanced, swinging around) on the Saturn V, with an E15-4W motor in the rocket. And.....it was unstable.

I could not find a location for the Center of Gravity in the instructions. So, added a washer to the nose (9 grams), got a good test.

I found the CG to be 15-3/4 inches from the base of the Main Body Tube.

NOTE: The pic is from the initial test. The string location shown is about 1 inch below the final location.

 

[Crawf56]

The E15-4W motor was 48 grams.

The D12-3 was 46 grams.

 

[SecondRow]

Well, an interesting day. Did CG test (rocket on a string, balanced, swinging around) on the Saturn V, with an E15-4W motor in the rocket. And.....it was unstable.

I could not find a location for the Center of Gravity in the instructions. So, added a washer to the nose (9 grams), got a good test.

I found the CG to be 15-3/4 inches from the base of the Main Body Tube.

NOTE: The pic is from the initial test. The string location shown is about 1 inch below the final location.

View attachment 377199

I’m curious: how many pats of clay did you add into the capsule? On mine, the instructions called for 2 pats but the kit came with 4. I emailed Estes to double check and was told to use 2. My first launch on an E-15 was squirrely. I’ve since added nose weight but haven’t had a chance to fly it. Wish I’d used all 4 when I built it.

 

[Crawf56]

I’m curious: how many pats of clay did you add into the capsule? On mine, the instructions called for 2 pats but the kit came with 4. I emailed Estes to double check and was told to use 2. My first launch on an E-15 was squirrely. I’ve since added nose weight but haven’t had a chance to fly it. Wish I’d used all 4 when I built it.

This kit came off ebay, and had no clay. There is no CG information in the instructions, and no mention of nose weight.

[Remember: This is the #2157 kit; not the current #1969.]

I added a steel washer that weighed 9 grams. It is located in the Capsule.

 

[SecondRow]

Yes, I have the 2157 as well, but it’s the later production run. Maybe the older 2157 kits didn’t have clay? Here are my instructions. Step 1 of “assemble capsule” is to put 2 pats of clay in the capsule.

 

[kuririn]

The older 2157s had only one recommended engine: the D12. So no clay weight was needed to fly stable.
Later 2157s had three recommended engines: D12-3, E12-4, and E30-4. The heavier motors moved the CG back, so I'm guessing that's why the instructions then recommended two pats of clay.