1/72nd SLS Build

[bguffer]

Dry fit of 1/72nd SLS build. Haven't determined if Block I Crew or Block 1B Crew yet. If Block 1B Crew launches actual missions, probably be Block 1B, though Block 1B Crew is at least 4 years out.

SRBs consist of:

leftover prototype nosecones from a 1/72nd STS build. if didn't have leftover nosecones, would have form/sanded from balsa fairly easily

2" airframe and couplers from eRockets

hand formed/sanded balsa skirts

polystyrene for nozzles

Main airframe consists of:

2.6" airframe and coupler as a stuffer tube

several centering rings cut to 4.6" outside diameter

foam insulation board formed/sanded down to 4.6" diameter (using centering rings as guides. foam is lighter/cheaper then fiberglass, and i guess will give a scale like texture to airframe as well)

foam insulation board formed/sanded to to 4.6" to 3" diameter transition. Needs sanded down to 2.6" on top if build Block 1 Crew.

waiting on wildman to make 4.5" fiberglass tube available again, for the remainder of main airframe

pieces of 3" and 2.6" airframe that still need cut down to size depending on Block 1 Crew or Block 1B Crew (currently at least 6 inches too tall for Block 1B Crew)

capsule and tower turned out of basswood, by Gordon from roachwerks

leftover nozzles from 1/72nd STS build and seperate plastic model orbiter kit

 

[bguffer]

If anyone else wants to build same scale SLS, i highly encourage them to spring for 4.5" x 4' fiberglass tube from Wildman. The foam was a LOT of sanding and a lot of routing out centering rings from plywood, and the PVC is likely not going to be perfectly circular.

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I saw pre-cut 2' length of 4" schedule 40 PVC at Home Depot, that was just shy of 4.5" outside diameter. Since Wildman hadn't offered 4.5" fiberglass the last 3 months, i broke down and shelled out 10 dollars for PVC. Cut the PVC into 3", 4", and 7" lengths. Used router to create appropriate centering rings from quarter inch plywood.

Discovered the PVC is not perfectly round, and thusly centering rings required additional hand-sanding/etc.

Then the next day (today), Wildman makes 4.5" fiberglass tubing available again.

Oh well. I spent less money and tried some new building techniques.

 

[bguffer]

Apparently Performance Hobbies offers 4.5" cardboard tube in 48" lengths at $40.
https://performancehobbies.com/secure/store.aspx?groupid=72620041122456

If that is 4.5" outside diameter, that would have been the way to go for the entire airframe.

Considerably cheaper then carbon fiber, and the sanding of foam (as well as cutting out additional centering rings) was time consuming.