Building the Estes Little Joe II: Tips, Tricks, and Modifications

[jddj]

Is there a 1/70 scale version of this?

I've also placed the 1/100 SEMROC LES tower assembly jigs on Printables as well:

https://www.printables.com/model/534440-semroc-apollo-capsule-les-tower-assembly-jig

Argh. the version up there is 1/70. I don't know what I was thinking when I typed 1/100!

 

[ReynoldsSlumber]

Here's a tip for preventing the escape tower from breaking off: turn it into a "hood ornament." I did this once upon a time with the old 1/100 Estes Little Joe II kit. Instead of gluing the base of the tower to the capsule nose, you can drill small holes through the capsule mounting points. Attach a thin, stiff wire to the base of each tower leg. Run the wires through their respective drilled holes, and seat the tower legs into place on the mounting points. Then, inside the capsule cone, bend the free end of each wire into a hook, and loop elastic around each hook. Then run the elastic strands to the base of the nose cone and tie them there in tension. Ta da, a classic '60s hood ornament—you can push on the top of the tower, and it'll give and then spring itself back into place. Never had a breakage with that arrangement. Helps not just with landing but when it's on display and during transport too. Of course make sure the elastic tension force is commensurate with how much motor thrust you're using.

@James Duffy, that model looks stellar on its launch stand.