Kit bash Saturn 1B to SA-5 1/100 scale

[Raptor 2]

So last year I flew my Estes Saturn 1B and forgot to glue the Apollo capsule to the rocket and it came off when the parachutes deployed never to be seen again. Soooo I had to buy another Saturn 1B kit to replace the capsule. Now I’m going to use some of the remaining parts from the kit to construct a Saturn SA-5 to add to my Saturn 1/100 scale collection. Drafted a plan on AutoCAD and sourced my upper tube sizes which are of course different from the 1B model. For the 2nd stage a BT-70 tube works and the upper tube uses LOCBT152 which is close to the required diameter at this scale.
The next challenge was how to make the nose cone using card stock which would be difficult to make it come to a smooth point. Took a 3/8” wood dowel and sharpened it to a point and then constructed a lower 2 layer card stock transition to fit the dowel and the upper tube. Added 26 grams of wt to the top of the cone. Fins will be constructed of balsa wood. 11 centring rings were constructed, a 2 layer bulkhead and coupler for the nose cone separation,1 interior shoulder tube for the stage transition to seat on.

 

[PeterAlway]

The little band of BT-80 below the transition to the BT-70 should be much narrower than you have it there--it's 5" on the prototype, which would be 0.05" to scale. That's 1/20 of an inch or a millimeter and a quarter. I assume you have scale data for this--there's a drawing in "The Art of Scale Model Rocketry" that you can download for free from the NARTS website.

 

[PeterAlway]

 

[PeterAlway]

 

[PeterAlway]

 

[PeterAlway]

 

[PeterAlway]

 

[PeterAlway]

Please pardon this showing up as six posts--things were getting weird with the thembnails when I tried to post them all together. There are a total of six drawings in this set, as they appeared in my old book, "Scale Model Rocketry" from 1990. The fact that I have posted them here does not constitute permission for Dave Fitch (or anyone else, for that matter) to post these elsewhere without my permission.

 

[Raptor 2]

The little band of BT-80 below the transition to the BT-70 should be much narrower than you have it there--it's 5" on the prototype, which would be 0.05" to scale. That's 1/20 of an inch or a millimeter and a quarter. I assume you have scale data for this--there's a drawing in "The Art of Scale Model Rocketry" that you can download for free from the NARTS website.

Hi Peter
You are correct it should be 1.27 mm wide. I am already using your drawings from the NARTS website and will be using them to do a lot of the detailing required on this model. I’ve used your drawings for all of my scale models. (Thanks btw) I made the ring 7mm wide as that was about as narrow as I’m good at cutting that off the BT 80 tube supplied in the Saturn 1B kit. It’s not glued in yet so I may give it another go and see if I can get down to 3mm wide.

 

[Raptor 2]

Got it down to 3.5mm. Thanks for the kick in the pants. Looks a lot better now.

 

[Cape Byron]

A tip of the hat to @PeterAlway , yet again. You're the man.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed the wraps for the upper stage and nose cone and installed the lower plastic wrap using 3M double sided tape. Wraps were drawn on auto cad. First time I tried my hand at wrapping balsa fins with with Staples white shipping labels instead of wood filler and sanding. Turns out it’s a lot easier and quicker to get a smooth finish. Covered the entire fin with thin CA glue. The laminated fin is now a lot stronger than balsa alone.

 

[PeterAlway]

It looks beautiful!

 

[Raptor 2]

Thanks Peter. Your drawings are quite helpful and will come in handy for sizing the many details on this model.
I over sized the fins a bit to achieve a better stability caliber.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed spray painting the fins. Masked off the root of the fins and secured them to a foam strip for painting. I should have masked off the the fin locations on the lower section before spray painting it but didn’t so had to scrap off the paint to expose the plastic wrap. I don’t like glueing fins to painted surfaces. Secured the white fins to the model using RC Canopy glue. Applied glue fillets using the same glue. The canopy glue dries clear and shiny and does not eat the paint. Touched up the fillet glue line with white paint using a brush. Will now have to do some difficult masking to spray paint the black roll pattern on the fins.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed the masking and painting of the fins.

 

[Bravo52]

That's a damn fine job on a rocket that isn't seen much in the hobby world. I've always wanted to build one and the closest I've gotten is the Dr. Zooch (Thanks Wes!) version.

You've built a really nice looking model that's sure to fly equally as well!

 

[Ez2cDave]

Please pardon this showing up as six posts--things were getting weird with the thembnails when I tried to post them all together. There are a total of six drawings in this set, as they appeared in my old book, "Scale Model Rocketry" from 1990. The fact that I have posted them here does not constitute permission for Dave Fitch (or anyone else, for that matter) to post these elsewhere without my permission.

Peter,

Yeah, I've noticed some "funky" things when posting multiple pics, too. Items wanted to double-post for me. I think / hope I have a handle on it, now.

Dave F.

 

[Saluki]

You sir have done a great job on this model. My hat is off to you.
Are you going to try and do an SA-7 and SA-8 to go along with your SA-5?

 

[Raptor 2]

That's a damn fine job on a rocket that isn't seen much in the hobby world. I've always wanted to build one and the closest I've gotten is the Dr. Zooch (Thanks Wes!) version.

You've built a really nice looking model that's sure to fly equally as well!

Thanks Jerry. I've still got a long way to go on this one before it's complete. I've also have a Dr. Zooch model but wanted to make a larger one to the same scale as my other Saturns...V, 1B and SA-6

 

[Raptor 2]

You sir have done a great job on this model. My hat is off to you.
Are you going to try and do an SA-7 and SA-8to go along with your SA-5?

Thanks Saluki.
I've thought about it as I've already completed an SA-6. The 1B still needs the new Apollo capsule built from the kit I bashed for the SA-5

 

[Saluki]

OK, I need someone to help me pick my jaw up off the floor. Great looking Saturn's. You have answered my question.

I keep my finger crossed that someone would do a 3D file for the fins used on the SA-5,6,7,8.

 

[Raptor 2]

Glued on conduits to the first stage with CA. Sanded slots into the upper ring on the first stage where the stage separation rockets are mounted. Small parts department.....constructed the small details from sanded balsa and covered with label paper and a coat of CA. Shaped the retros from a 3/16” dowel. Will let it all cure for a day before I glue them on.

 

[JPalmer621]

Boyce sells a 1/100 Apollo capsule if you need another one

 

[Raptor 2]

Thanks for the info but I don’t need one

 

[Raptor 2]

Constructed the antenna panels from cardboard with balsa standoffs. Three piping conduits are plastic tubing capped with empty pen ink refill tubing cut at an angle to make a cone cap at the top. Ullage motors and other details constructed of balsa, hardened with CA. All parts were glued to the main frame with RC Modellers Canopy glue.

 

[Ez2cDave]

Dave F.

 

[Raptor 2]

Completed the model by adding details to the top of the nose cone, fin numbers, SA-5, motor mount 24mm, and parachute shock cord. Total wt less motor and chute comes in at 183.25 grams. Will do a final check on OR to confirm weights, CP and CG and stability.

 

[PeterAlway]

Completed the model by adding details to the top of the nose cone, fin numbers, SA-5, motor mount 24mm, and parachute shock cord. Total wt less motor and chute comes in at 183.25 grams. Will do a final check on OR to confirm weights, CP and CG and stability.View attachment 530913

Wow! That is a great-looking model!

 

[Raptor 2]

Wow! That is a great-looking model!

Thanks Peter, I hope it flys as well as it looks. your drawings were very helpful with the detailing.