Semroc Saturn 1B build

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matthewdlaudato

matthewdlaudato

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Starting the build of my Semroc Saturn 1B. The Rocket was gifted to me by a fellow CMASS club member who was clearing out his build space. Challenging build ahead with lots of attention to detail required. Here goes nothing!

IMG_3740.jpg
 
Glued all the mounts together. Used the 4x centering ring to ensure alignment, then clips to hold them in place while the glue sets.
IMG_3743.jpg
 
More work on the motor mount, stuffer tube attached. Also cut slits in 4 tank tubes.
IMG_3746.jpg
 
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I downloaded the Estes 1/70th scale Apollo capsule instructions a while back. I was just curious... the part where you have to take the escape tower doweling and sand it's diameter down by drawing across a sandpaper sheet made my eyes bug out! Back in the early '70s I was 14 and a hobby store had the Ib and the V on the shelf. I jonesed over the Ib for a long time and I finally had the cash scrapped together (~ $10) for the kit. I had the Ib in hand and the guy behind the counter said he'd give me the V for the same price! After reading the capsule instructions all these years later I sure as heck am glad I took the V!!! There is no way I could have done a clean build of this kit back then... just didn't have that kind of patience.

All that said, I cannot wait to see it fly! It's going to be fantastic!
 
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DeltaVee said:
I downloaded the Estes 1/70th scale Apollo capsule instructions a while back. I was just curious... the part where you have to take the escape tower doweling and sand it's diameter down by drawing across a sandpaper sheet made my eyes bug out! Back in the early '70s I was 14 and a hobby store had the Ib and the V on the shelf. I jonesed over the Ib for a long time and I finally had the cash scrapped together (~ $10) for the kit. I had the Ib in hand and the guy behind the counter said he'd give me the V for the same price! After reading the capsule instructions all these years later I sure as heck am glad I took the V!!! There is no way I could have done a clean build of this kit back then... just didn't have that kind of patience.

All that said, I cannot wait to see it fly! It's going to be fantastic!
Click to expand...

Great story! I’m at the step where I have to shape the dowels. Fortunately I have a good digital caliper and no life, so it will be the highlight of my day!
 
IMG_3750.jpg

Tail ring and motor mount cap installed. There are 8 balsa spacer strips glued to each of the tank tubes to allow tail ring to fit snugly.
 
There is a tool that's used to bring dowels down to a particular size. It's a piece of hardened steel with a bunch of clean holes of decreasing size drilled through it. You push the dowel through a hole slightly smaller than the dowel, and the sharp edge of the hole shaves off some of the dowel. Repeat for smaller holes until the dowel is the desired size.

A drill press, a set of suitable drills (number sizes probably most useful), and a piece of ordinary steel would likely do for just a few dowels. Use a cutting lubricant for cleaner holes.

Best -- Terry
 
That’s a useful tool for sure. Though given that I’m unlikely to have much dowel thinning needs in the future, I’ll just sand away. I suppose I could 3D print one though...
 
Installing the fairing. I opted to do a ‘wrap and glue’ approach. It’s easier that way to get a snug fit.

IMG_3753.jpg
 
IMG_3755.jpg

Fillets on fairing mostly done, will touch up later. Centering rings installed on stuffer tube. Shock cord epoxied in place - I deviated from the instructions a bit and epoxied it flat to the parachute tube, and cut a small notch in the large centering ring to accommodate.
 
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looks great so far! The fairings turned out great! Does the kit come with decals? Are you going with Apollo 7 (black tanks) or the white tank Skylab/ASTP? either way its going to look awesome!
 
NJRick said:
looks great so far! The fairings turned out great! Does the kit come with decals? Are you going with Apollo 7 (black tanks) or the white tank Skylab/ASTP? either way its going to look awesome!
Click to expand...

I’m going with the recommendation in the instructions - which is Apollo 7 style, combination of black and white tanks and fins. Fairly complex paint job ahead.
 
Getting ready to glue the LEM shroud in place. This will complete the main body construction.
IMG_3757.jpg
 
matthewdlaudato said:
I’m going with the recommendation in the instructions - which is Apollo 7 style, combination of black and white tanks and fins. Fairly complex paint job ahead.
Click to expand...
As masterNJ (AKA Mr Sat 1B) can tell you, pre painting the fuel tanks would have made painting a lot easier, on any scale Sat 1B.
That was my only regret on my Estes 1/70 clone build.
The Semroc version has many improvements.
The specialty size bt-63 core spacer tube has been replaced with two spacer rings for perfect alignment, for example.
Great work so far, enjoying your build!
Laters.
 
IMG_3758.jpg

LEM shroud attached. A bit more of a gap than I’d hoped for, will need to do some careful filling.
 

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