K-29 Saturn 1b body tubes

[astronboy]

Hi Gang,

I would liek to assemble the tubes needed to clone the ESTES K-29 Saturn 1b. Are all of the tubes available?

 

[astronboy]

Well, I have found some of them.

Totally tubular has most:

BT-51 is listed as T50+
BT-100 is discussed in another thread... TT should have it.

The BT-60 tank support tubes seem to be an issue. They are 1.681: in OD. This is .044 larger than a BT-60
. I guess i can handle that.

There used to be someone who sold the vacuform wraps.... does anyone have his contact info?

Fred

 

[sandman]

Fred,

You can get the wraps from a member here in the forum paul graf

Do a Saturn 1B search.

I have two sets of his vacuform wraps. i think they are $15 a set.

sandman

 

[astronboy]

Thanks Sandman, I just emailed him!!

Ever since the first time I set my eyes on an ESTES catalog, I knew I wanted a Sat 1b. Of course as a kid, skill level and a lack of funds prevented me from ever getting one. Now it is just lack of funds!! (They go for a dizzying dollar amount on EBAY!)

I know that I will not be buildiing this right now (I have a BIG little Joe II Kit to build first!!) but, I figure that I should assemble the parts and create a 'kit' for myself and box it it all up. I plan on using the Apogee plastic capsule as it is much more detailed than the old paper ESTES apollo capsule.

 

[sandman]

I should assemble the parts and create a 'kit' for myself and box it it all up.

LOL! I did that a long time ago...but I made myself a few "extras".

I got all the tubes and a complete kit from Kosrox brfore he closed down.

His site is now gone but I have all the centering rings and his instructions on PDF...I'll send you a copy.

sandman

 

[astronboy]

Actually, Kosrox wesite is still up with the templates. Here is the link:

https://www.tela.com/~dtkostron/sat1b/saturn1b.htm

I think I might try to get Bill at BMS to burn a set of rings for me.

Fred

 

[astronboy]

I have been studying and comparing the old K-29 plans with the Kosrox plans, and it appears to me that Kosroc's 'centering ring' method is the way to go. The old K-29 used the BT-63 as support tubes around which the 8 BT-51 tanks were clustered.

By following the Kosrox method, you eliminate the need for the BT-63, and gain a central 24mm motor mount.

Sandman, do you know what material amd thickness the centering rings in your Kosrox set are?

 

[sandman]

The Kosrox tubes are identical to the Estes tubes.

The brown tubes, the smaller ones (BT-51, BT-50) are .013" thick and the larger ones, (BT-70, BT101, BT-100) are .021" thick.

sandman

 

[astronboy]

Thanks!! How about the centering rings... are they 1/6" lite plywood? Or do you just have the tube set?

 

[sandman]

I have one complete Kosrox kit and several "tube sets".

The centering rings are laser cut heavy cardstock.

My guess is they are about 50% heavier than the Estes centering rings...more or less.

3/32" light ply should work.

The paper shrouds are laser cut too, even the scalloped shroud.

sandman