Estes Saturn 1B: Build Tips and Advice Thread

[SCooke123]

I think it looks pretty good as well

 

[JPalmer621]

I also like to launch with an escape towers. I have secured extra capsules that I built them to survive the launch. I used small copper tubes to create the main structure of the LES. At the launch nobody sees the difference. Andrew it is important to have fun and not worry at the launch

 

[MikeT]

Bottom line is your the only one that you have to please.

Mike

 

[BSNW]

Andrew...after reading your novel I was prepared for the worst. I think your kit looks good! If you can answer ‘yes’ to the question of “Did I do my best?” then be proud of it.

Thanks, everyone for your kind words. As far as my "novel", I know I can be a little long-winded. But it is hard, to sum up, a conversation sometimes in a Tweet long post. I have never been a sound-bite kind of guy!

Please note that when I wrote post #145...it was my attempt at a little humor. I was kind of poking fun at myself and I was actually reconnecting with a time when I did not care if my rockets were not perfect (as they can be). I also know that this kit is a difficult finish job. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned on this thread (this is why I started it after all!) and build another one that is a little better. I am sure it will be an enjoyable build as well!

The thing about social media forums like this is that they tend to only show the "best work" of....anything. At some point I let it go and just had fun...even to poke a little fun at myself!

I am very happy with it....all things considered, and I am thankful for all the encouragement.

Happy launching all and have a great day everyone!

Andrew

 

[Kevin O'Dell]

As far as escape towers are concerned....I'm coating mine with a couple of coats of Bob Smith Industries 20 minute Finish Cure Epoxy. This stuff is slightly thicker than water, provides a great finish, adds very little weight and LOTS of strength to the fragile structure.

 

[NJRick]

I think it turned out beautiful! GREAT job!!

 

[BSNW]

I think it turned out beautiful! GREAT job!!

Thank you very much!
I can't wait to launch this model.
Andrew

 

[BSNW]

As far as escape towers are concerned....I'm coating mine with a couple of coats of Bob Smith Industries 20 minute Finish Cure Epoxy. This stuff is slightly thicker than water, provides a great finish, adds very little weight and LOTS of strength to the fragile structure.

Great idea! Iam making a note to try this the next time I build one. I got to launch with the tower!
Andrew

 

[Jimmy]

Mid section painting finally done. Masking this area is a real pain. Pics are in order as POS1 POS2 POS3 POS4. Next is the fin section. Hopefully it won’t be as difficult.

 

[Jimmy]

Just finished masking and painting the ‘fin can’. This was way easier without the fins in place. Frog tape again. It came out pretty good.

 

[Jimmy]

RCS pieces attached to the service module. This was done by simply pressing the pin located on the back of the RCS through the holes made through the wraparound guide earlier. Once in place a drop of CA was applied by toothpick on the inside of the service module tube. CA is nasty stuff. At the risk of sounding preachy I highly recommend safety glasses during use. It flicks easily to unwanted places.

Then I began fin prep. The roll pattern appears confusing at first but a closer look helps to make sense of it. One fin is entirely white and another is entirely black. I started painting those first. The remaining six will take longer to mask.

 

[NJRick]

she is turning out nicely! When I got to the fins with my 1bs that was when I always got "Go Fever" and I would normally screw up one fin by reversing the roll pattern. She looks awesome!!

 

[Jimmy]

she is turning out nicely! When I got to the fins with my 1bs that was when I always got "Go Fever" and I would normally screw up one fin by reversing the roll pattern. She looks awesome!!

Thanks NJRick! You’re right. It’s really easy to mix up the roll pattern especially when masking because you have to think opposite. Just finished painting the fins and they seem to have turned out well.

 

[Jimmy]

Engine hook notch cut out and engine mount tube installed into core tube. Friendly reminder to always do a dry test fit first before applying glue.

I don’t care for the newer, longer engine hooks so I trimmed it to normal length. No reason for this other than personal preference.

Big moment here. The lower assembly has been slid overtop the fuel/oxidizer tubes. Glad I decided to go for the Apollo 7 version. It has a sharp look. Next the two centering rings were glued in place. One on top of the tubes and the other at the end of the core tube.

 

[SanRocketMan]

The Business End of the Saturn 1B

I found this image and web site very helpful in building and detailing:

Saturn I Block I Profile

heroicrelics.org

 

[SanRocketMan]

Saturn I Block I Profile

heroicrelics.org

 

[SanRocketMan]

Saturn I Block I Profile

heroicrelics.org

Before you start to build your ESTES 007251 Saturn 1B visit www.heroicrelics.org

 

[SanRocketMan]

Before you start to build your ESTES 007251 Saturn 1B visit www.heroicrelics.org

General Saturn IB Diagrams

heroicrelics.org

 

[Jimmy]

Awesome! Thanks for the info! Fins have been glued on.

 

[Jimmy]

Question for anyone out there. In what position is the umbilical located? I see diagrams online with it at POS1 but it seems like it’s at POS3 in photographs. Can anyone clear this up for me?

 

[Ez2cDave]

Question for anyone out there. In what position is the umbilical located? I see diagrams online with it at POS1 but it seems like it’s at POS3 in photographs. Can anyone clear this up for me?

I believe that the umbilical is at Position II ( facing away from you in these views )

Note that, in the photo, Fins I & III are visible ( You are viewing Position IV )

Dave F.

 

[SanRocketMan]

I found this image and web site very helpful in building and detailing:

Saturn I Block I Profile

heroicrelics.org

Google Image Result for http://heroicrelics.org/info/saturn-i-and-ib/s-ib-fin/s-ib-fin-arrangement.jpg

 

[asennad]

For the wrap guys....use epoxy and rubber bands. Soooo much easier!

You may want to sand the backside with 400 grit to give it some bite then wash the plastic wrap with some soapy water to remove any mold residue or oil. And use disposable gloves when applying the epoxy. Yes I know its heavy. Don't use the 5 minute type. You don't want to rush it. 20 or 60 minute epoxy or works fine. Apply it on both surfaces and then scrape it off with a small cardboard scraper. Don't get it into the corrugations! Use a small disposable foam brush to apply it to the areas that touch the body tube.

Using slow cure epoxy allows you to position the wrap exactly where you want it. And very importantly it lubricates the mating surface so that you get a tighter fit, and less air spaces. Rubber bands give you better tension around the wrap which you can't get by using tape across the seam.

I also use plastic glue along the seam to join the wrap to make it a single piece.

 

[Jimmy]

Hey guys I’ve got a question. Is it possible to reposition a water slide decal after it has been in place for a couple days? I’ve done nothing to it other than apply it to the surface and blot it dry. I’ve decided I’m not quite happy where the vertical United States decals are located. I would like to move them downward maybe 4 or 5 mm.

 

[NJRick]

I have been building a lot of plastic models lately...and I honestly don't know if you can do that or not. Did you use any decal setting solution on them? (micro sol or micro set) More importantly, do you have replacement decals to use in the event they tear?

Hey guys I’ve got a question. Is it possible to reposition a water slide decal after it has been in place for a couple days? I’ve done nothing to it other than apply it to the surface and blot it dry. I’ve decided I’m not quite happy where the vertical United States decals are located. I would like to move them downward maybe 4 or 5 mm.

 

[Jimmy]

I have been building a lot of plastic models lately...and I honestly don't know if you can do that or not. Did you use any decal setting solution on them? (micro sol or micro set) More importantly, do you have replacement decals to use in the event they tear?

No, I didn’t use any setting solution. It’s possible that I could generate replacement decals from the scan of them that I saved to my computer. However I’ve decided to not take the risk, and just leave them where they are. They’re probably ok, I’m just being too nit picky.

 

[Jimmy]

All decals have been put on. There are a few that could have been positioned better but overall not bad. Decals are my least favorite part of building. The small ones can be frustrating to set in place. Touching the corner of a Kleenex to the edge of a small decal seems to work better than a Q tip. The camera targets and capsule decals were the trickiest ones for me.

 

[BSNW]

All decals have been put on. There are a few that could have been positioned better but overall not bad. Decals are my least favorite part of building. The small ones can be frustrating to set in place. Touching the corner of a Kleenex to the edge of a small decal seems to work better than a Q tip. The camera targets and capsule decals were the trickiest ones for me.

Well done Jimmy.....wow. I am now better prepared for my second try at this kit! I also can't wait to fly mine! Great job!
Andrew

 

[kuririn]

All decals have been put on. There are a few that could have been positioned better but overall not bad. Decals are my least favorite part of building. The small ones can be frustrating to set in place. Touching the corner of a Kleenex to the edge of a small decal seems to work better than a Q tip. The camera targets and capsule decals were the trickiest ones for me.

How about a full size image of the complete stack?
This is a forum, you shouldn't be shy about showing off your stuff.

 

[Jimmy]

How about a full size image of the complete stack?
This is a forum, you shouldn't be shy about showing off your stuff.

The stack will be assembled soon. Getting near the end. Looking forward to launching her. No hangar queens!