Semroc Saturn 1B build

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man, she looks awesome so far! Wally Schirra's SA-205 is just a classic. Just a beautiful booster.

As Kuririn points out, painting a 1b is an exercise in patience. On my Zooch 1bs and my Flis 1bs I was lucky enough to have access to wraps that were made for each kit. Rosco Racer makes just great wraps for the Zooch kits and Saluki made awesome wraps for the Flis 1bs. Both of these guys are awesome and what they provide to builders is a way to add detail and make it easier to build. The wraps really simplify the painting. I see that Saluki has posted a link for wraps for the Semroc kit. (not working on my computer for some reason...)

you are doing a great job!
 
NJRick said:
man, she looks awesome so far! Wally Schirra's SA-205 is just a classic. Just a beautiful booster.

As Kuririn points out, painting a 1b is an exercise in patience. On my Zooch 1bs and my Flis 1bs I was lucky enough to have access to wraps that were made for each kit. Rosco Racer makes just great wraps for the Zooch kits and Saluki made awesome wraps for the Flis 1bs. Both of these guys are awesome and what they provide to builders is a way to add detail and make it easier to build. The wraps really simplify the painting. I see that Saluki has posted a link for wraps for the Semroc kit. (not working on my computer for some reason...)

you are doing a great job!
Click to expand...

Thanks. There are some rough spots, especially in the LEM shroud. I have half a mind to peel it off and just 3D print a replacement. And wrap 4 didn’t line up well with wrap 3 - you get to choose whether the glue edge lines up or whether the embossed lines line up. So it’s a bit off. I’ve not done many rockets with wraps or shrouds, so my technique needs work.

I’m quite far from painting, just getting into fin construction and the many detail parts that need to be installed.
 
IMG_3759.jpg
Installed all the wraps. On to fin construction. And some side work on the capsule and tower.
 
IMG_3760.jpg

Beginning fin construction. Opting for the built-up fins of course, more work but more realistic.
 
mbeels said:
It came out well! The built up fins will be worth it.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I’ll use a lighter touch when doing the final fold and glue on the others. You can clearly see the impression that one of the ribs made, so I want to avoid that if possible. They are fun little builds these fins!
 
IMG_3770.jpg

All fins completed. Did six yesterday and the last two today. Not hard, but attention to detail important. Ready to start installing them on the main body.
 
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the fins look great! the neat thing about the 1b is the 8 raked fins...so cool looking...of course when painting, the problem with the 1b is the 8 fins that have to be masked very carefully to carry the roll pattern
 
NJRick said:
the fins look great! the neat thing about the 1b is the 8 raked fins...so cool looking...of course when painting, the problem with the 1b is the 8 fins that have to be masked very carefully to carry the roll pattern
Click to expand...

Roger that - in many ways, the painting is more complicated than the build on this rocket.
 
I'd probably do the same... I did say *tempted* after all :) I'm curious how as to how you're planning on doing the painting... Back when I did a Centuri 1/100 IB, most of the painting was done prior to assembly with the black going on first. The tank decals, having a white backing, obviated the need to have a white strip down the middle making things much easier.

It *is* coming along nicely though! Excellent work....
 
DeltaVee said:
I'd probably do the same... I did say *tempted* after all :) I'm curious how as to how you're planning on doing the painting... Back when I did a Centuri 1/100 IB, most of the painting was done prior to assembly with the black going on first. The tank decals, having a white backing, obviated the need to have a white strip down the middle making things much easier.

It *is* coming along nicely though! Excellent work....
Click to expand...

I love the fin design, perhaps I’ll get some thin sheet polystyrene and design something similar for another rocket, it’s a cool idea. As for painting, the answer is ‘carefully’! I’m pretty good at masking, so we’ll see how it comes out.

Taking a break while I’m up at the beach for the long weekend. Did bring the capsule with me so may post some progress on that.
 
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IMG_3774.jpg

Using the ‘remote build table’ up at my beach condo in Hampton, NH to work on the capsule.
 
IMG_3775.jpg

Completed the two main vertical supports for the tower. Foam board, the templates from the kit, then a layer of plastic wrap (didn’t have wax paper handy), all pinned down. The tower gets constructed in-place over the template, with the pins helping to keep things from wiggling about.
 
Nice work, Matthew.
I was going to comment about tower construction from dowels being a rite of passage for model builders but looks like you've done this before, correct?
 
kuririn said:
Nice work, Matthew.
I was going to comment about tower construction from dowels being a rite of passage for model builders but looks like you've done this before, correct?
Click to expand...

Thanks, but no, I’ve not built this sort of intricate structure before. Mostly following directions and attempting to apply general good building techniques.
 

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