Saturn V from Arkansas [Estes #2157]

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Starting work on the fins.

Man, I really, really, really considered making these out of balsa wood or plywood. Or purchasing some aftermarket fins.

But, to stay true to the project, I will use what I have. :confused:

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Some great tips on assembling the vacu-form fins and fairings here:
https://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/2011/05/estes-saturn-v-build-part-19-fins.html
Fins are covered in parts 19-21 and part 32. Scroll down the right side for the posts.
 
PS I would second (pun intended) what Second Row said about replacing the vacu form fins with the injection molded fin halves. The last re-issue of the 2157 has the newer fins, so technically you would still be building it stock:D. Here's some pics from the latest 2157:
IMG_20190216_074146.jpg IMG_20190216_074233.jpg
 
"You know why I like to beat my head against a wall? Because it feels so good when I stop." - Dr. Wilcox, Auburn University Materials Engineering, 1989

I have decided to go forth with my build plans for the vacuum-formed fins. Mainly because I have everything.

This is an exercise in functional, and using methods that I am more familiar with. Here is some of the initial trim work on a couple of fin halves.

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More fin trimming. Trying to get edges so that I can get the fin halves aligned while gluing.

Also, I trimmed a large portion of the base. This allows it to seat against the rocket.

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m_IMG_3990small.jpg Putting the fin together. Dirty hands leave marks on the white fins. Will need to do some fine grit sanding for cleanup.
 
To begin, let's look at the Estes instructions. You are supposed to mark a point 3 inches from the base of the Main Body Tube for the Lower Wrap. And that is where I located the wrap.

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So let's look at the Fairing. It is roughly 3-1/4 inches long. And is supposed to line-up with the bottom of the tube.

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image.jpg The fairing should be flush with the body tube. It will extend past the top of the wrap.
 
Crawf,
Sorry, didn't intend to imply that you should build this one way or the other. Do it YOUR way, I'm just watching and learning.
Vacu form work does take a good deal of craftsmanship, I'm impressed. Cheers.
 
Crawf,
Sorry, didn't intend to imply that you should build this one way or the other. Do it YOUR way, I'm just watching and learning.
Vacu form work does take a good deal of craftsmanship, I'm impressed. Cheers.

I didn't take it that you were 'implying' anything. You were providing good info on construction, which I greatly appreciate. ;) I am certainly no master when it comes to assembling vacuum formed parts.

This is why I post builds. There is no one close by to monitor my progress. You guys who look in on my build are providing a great service to me.:)

By the way, I have taken a little step back, to think about the Fin and Fairing installation.
 
These build threads are the best part of the forums. The amount of frustration and regret and angst you’ve saved me on my build is... not small.
 
Not that I am aware of. I usually launch when out flying RC and haven't heard of anything organized going on.

Pardon me while I converse Arkansan for a moment.

The closest Rocket club to me is the Mid-South Rocket Society in Memphis. They have a Facebook page. Launch about once a month on a Saturday morning.

There is also the Reddie Rockets in Arkadelphia. I know nothing about them.
https://www.hsu.edu/CampusLife/StudentOrgs/ReddieRockets.html

There is also Pemberton Technologies in Conway:
https://www.pembertontechnologies.com/

I also do RC aircraft, along with RC rocket gliders. I have a number of threads in the "Rocket Glider" section.

There is also an RC event open to rocket gliders> S.M.A.L.L. in Mayflower, Arkansas (south of Conway). This is an RC Fun Fly that allows rocket gliders.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/sho...2019-(Thr-Sun)-Mayflower-AR-the-30th-SMALL!!!
 
I really wanted to put the Fairing on, THEN put the Fin on. But it didn't quite fit.

So, I decided to attach the Fin and Fairing at the same time, like the instructions.

I used 5-minute epoxy. At this time, there is epoxy on the front and back of the Fairing, and on the base of the Fin. Got stuff where I wanted it, and help it in place.....

And held it. And held it...…:confused:

The Gorilla glue 5-minute epoxy is good stuff, but it is actually closer to 8 or 10 minute epoxy. o_O I will go back and add fillets. Lot of 'eyeballing it' here.

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Alternate, 3D-printed Saturn V S-IC engine fairings:

S-IC fin fairing with enlarged fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/W...light-size?optionId=60006433&li=user-wishlist
S-IC fin fairing with true-scale fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/3...rect-scale?optionId=60006446&li=user-wishlist

You'll need to buy 4 of them.

They also have the S-IC aft boat tail with either scale or enlarged fins. You'll have to scratchbuild or modify the engine section bulkhead.

S-IC aft thrust structure (scale fins): https://www.shapeways.com/product/Q...scale-fins?optionId=60032772&li=user-wishlist
S-IC aft thrust structure (enlarged fins): https://www.shapeways.com/product/V...-size-fins?optionId=60032551&li=user-wishlist

And for better-looking flight-ready F-1s (they're 1/96 scale; if you don't mind them being four scale inches larger). You'll need five of them. https://www.shapeways.com/product/94UX6AVE7/apollo-f-1-engine-batted-1-96?optionId=85129541
 
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Alternate, 3D-printed Saturn V S-IC engine fairings:

S-IC fin fairing with enlarged fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/W...light-size?optionId=60006433&li=user-wishlist
S-IC fin fairing with true-scale fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/3...rect-scale?optionId=60006446&li=user-wishlist

You'll need to buy 4 of them.

And for better-looking flight-ready F-1s (they're 1/96 scale; if you don't mind them being four scale inches larger). You'll need five of them. https://www.shapeways.com/product/94UX6AVE7/apollo-f-1-engine-batted-1-96?optionId=85129541

Oh, wow, that engine is pretty !

At $74.40 for the set of printed fairings & fins, the cheaper/more established alternative is $27.95 Moldin' Oldies 1:100 set, distributed by Sirius:
https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/ishop/moldin-oldies-srmo-sv-1104-1-100-saturn-fairing-set-1764.html

Sirius also sells a molded Apollo Capsule/LES:
https://www.siriusrocketry.biz/isho...-1102-solid-1-100-apollo-capsule-les-523.html

I ordered the former, but not the latter.
Will report on weight and fit'n'finish when they arrive.

a
 
Alternate, 3D-printed Saturn V S-IC engine fairings:

S-IC fin fairing with enlarged fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/W...light-size?optionId=60006433&li=user-wishlist
S-IC fin fairing with true-scale fins: https://www.shapeways.com/product/3...rect-scale?optionId=60006446&li=user-wishlist

You'll need to buy 4 of them.

And for better-looking flight-ready F-1s (they're 1/96 scale; if you don't mind them being four scale inches larger). You'll need five of them. https://www.shapeways.com/product/94UX6AVE7/apollo-f-1-engine-batted-1-96?optionId=85129541
I think Crawf previously mentioned that he'll be building this stock.
 
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