Estes Saturn V Engines

I just completed an Estes Saturn V model rocket. Everything I've read is that the D engine that is recomended is marginal.

I would like to hear from you what you think might work, especially if you have experience with this rocket.

Thanks, Tom

Aerotech E30-4 (single use) and F12-3 (RMS) work great. hopefully you built your Saturn V stock & didn't add too much weight?

The Saturn V absolutely ROCKS on a 24mm, F24-4 White Lightning RMS.

Also quite nice on the F21 econojet.

I would think that it would fly better on any more powerful composite motors.

What are people's thoughts on the Estes 1/100th scale (1969) recommended E12-4 ??

Videolester said:

What are people's thoughts on the Estes 1/100th scale (1969) recommended E12-4 ??

Click to expand...

My thoughts are that it will fly 50% better than on a D12-3.

If you are worried, use an Estes/Aerotech E30-4 or an Aerotech E15-4 or E20-4. or any 24mm RMS E motor with a 4 second delay.

The F motors might be overkill. The point is to actually see the rocket fly, not just disappear quickly. If you want that, fly a Wizard with C6-7.

shreadvector said:

The F motors might be overkill. The point is to actually see the rocket fly, not just disappear quickly. If you want that, fly a Wizard with C6-7.

Click to expand...

The Saturn V flies nicely on an Aerotech RMS F12.

Videolester said:

What are people's thoughts on the Estes 1/100th scale (1969) recommended E12-4 ??

Click to expand...

It will fly but it doesn't give you much altitude or room for error.

I flew mine for the first flight last weekend on Aerotech F-67-9W. Flight was great, could see the whole thing but need shorter delay.

I agree with 24mm being underpowered. Its why I upgraded to 29mm. Mine was a dedicated G40W. Not so much I couldn't fly anything else, it just looks so darn awesome.

Great launch pic!!

I have a build thread on an Estes Saturn V at the Scale Forum:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/saturn-v-from-arkansas-estes-2157.150717/

My kit was a #2157, that recommended a D12-3. Even in the instructions, it said altitude of 150 ft.!

Fortunately, some smarter people in the forum recommended I use an Aerotech E15-4W. My Saturn V flew great; got around 300 ft? I just know that the parachute had plenty of time to deploy.

Note that I built my Estes Saturn V as stated in the instructions. I made NO CHANGES.

I also emailed Estes. They recommended E motors.

Estes also stated that, when they tested the standard Saturn V with an F motor, the rocket did not survive. My impression is that the rocket will fly well on an F motor, but you must strengthen the structure (and add nose weight).

I'm not sure what changed then. About the only things I changed on the 2157 was I used an old aluminum foil tube for a 29mm MMT, installed rail buttons, and used Moldin' Oldies fins and nose cone with a few ounces of ballast (fender washers worked perfect). Even used the paper CRs for a long time until they blew out because of an overagressive ejection charge. The rocket is still flyable once I replace the MMT.