Model Rocket Building Blog 
Model Rocket Building Posts
Rocketry Product: Estes - Saturn V {Kit} (1969) [2017-2019]
Saturn V Build Part 53 Interstage Mask! (2011-06-01)
You'll have to trust me on this - Don't try to mask and paint the entire model in one session! When you mask this interstage section you will understand what I mean. Do it alone with the wife and ... [Read More]
Two New Saturn V Kits - Achhhh! (2017-04-24)Why two kits? I wanted to have them on hand just in case somebody wants one built. I have built a few for customers in the past. The package lists the kit as a Skill Level 4. This should be a Skill ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V Box Picture - (2018-02-16)I finished up an Estes Saturn V build for a client. If you have a kit, look close at box picture. It is a picture of an actual build and not a C.G. image! Here's two things that could see i ... [Read More]
Upcoming Estes Releases - (2018-10-20)On TRF, Turbofireball posted this: My local hobby shop showed me this info today regarding new Estes kits: EST-0865 Mini Mean Machine Model Rocket Kit (Skill Level 1) $14.99 EST-1250 ... [Read More]
New Saturn V Information from John Boren (2018-11-10)Posted on Y.O.R.F. The upcoming all plastic 1/200 Scale ARTF Saturn V, The Mole wrote: John has posted on the other forum. The other Saturn V was briefly shown at the NARAM 60 ... [Read More]
Coming Soon - Estes Saturn V, Kit #1969 (2018-11-17)Now on the Estes "Coming Soon page - CLICK HERE "Once again, Estes has brought back the famous Saturn V! This famed rocket was the first vehicle to send man to the moon and is one of the finest ... [Read More]
New Estes Saturn V Picture (2018-11-21)On YORF, John Boren posted some information about the new #1969 Estes Saturn V: "The only thing that is the same on this kit from the last one are Most of the body tubes and the injection molded ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V "BONUS" Revealed (2018-11-22)I thought it would be a poster - On the Estes website yesterday, click on the number "3" in the main slide show window: CLICK HERE [Read More]
New Estes Saturn V, #1969 Pictures (2018-12-10)Kevin Foss posted some pictures on the NAR Facebook page: Son of a gun - The 1/100th scale Lunar Module is the old Revell kit! A closeup showing the detail on the new blow-molded upper ... [Read More]
Ooops! (2018-12-21)Dave Combs posted this on the NAR Facebook page: " And this is why Estes hires a new proofreader." This is from the new Saturn V instructions. It's a little hard to read but there are some ... [Read More]
Mistake in Estes #1969 Saturn V Inter Stage Wrap? (2019-02-21)On the NAR Facebook page, Jay M. Chladek may have found an error - If the wraps are aligned (as molded) and shown in the instructions, the vertical half round wood tunnels won't line up between the ... [Read More]
Mistake in Estes #1969 Saturn V Inter Stage Wrap? Part 2 (2019-02-22)Kylie Gamble posted on Facebook: "Update, on the issue of the inter stage wrap being molded incorrectly. Estes told me to cut the bottom line of the wrap and rotate the cut bottom so the tunnels ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V Parts (2019-04-29)On the NAR Facebook page, James Duffy pointed out that Estes has added Saturn V parts to their website! CLICK HERE to see the listings. You can upgrade your old kit to the new specs. [Read More]
Coming up - Estes #1969 Saturn V Build (2019-05-08)Here's we go again! I just got some emails from Estes, they want me to build a new #1969 Saturn V! The model is already in distribution so I can do the build here on the blog. I've sent out ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 1 Parts Comparison (2019-05-15)Looks like I'm building TWO Saturn V models! (After I finish these up I doubt I'll want to look at another Saturn V for a while.) With all the various Saturn V builds shown on this blog, this new ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 2 Parts Comparison (2019-05-16)Again, the older wraps are at the top, the new ones are at the bottom. In the older kit, these two wraps were on the same plastic sheet. Now they are separate. The older wrap was two different ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 3, Tubes Prep (2019-05-17)Check the ends of the body tubes to see if there are any cut "stringers". The larger diameter the tube, the harder it is for the vendor to cut clean. Sand the ends flat and square. The big BT-101 ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 4, Engine Mount Assembly (2019-05-18)Some thoughts on yesterday's post: I know most builders want to dig right in and assemble the model - then think about filling the body tube seams. With all the wraps and tunnels on the tubes, ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 5, Gluing In Engine Mount (2019-05-19)The rear centering ring should end up 3 3/8" from the bottom of the main air frame tube. GOTCHA: Try a dry fit and you'll notice the rings seem small! The engine mount can slide right through the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 6, Third Stage Centering Rings (2019-05-20)Most of this build series will be close to the order of assembly in the Estes instructions. While I wait for glued assemblies to dry I might bounce around the assembly steps. TIP: I used my sanding ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 7, Reinforcing Ring Fit? (2019-05-21)GOTCHA: On YORF, the great builder Jeffy Jeep noticed a measurement question in the instructions. The copy says the reinforcement ring should be 3/4" from the rear of the tube. The drawing ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 8, Primer/Filler and Shroud Scan (2019-05-22)The third stage assembly was slid into the upper end of the BT-101 tube for spraying with Duplicolor Filler/Primer. Sliding the centering ring assembly down inside the BT-101 will protect the shroud ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 9, Third Stage Reduction Shroud (2019-05-23)Here's the slightly larger shroud from the #2157 kit. TIP: Use scissors on the curves, a knife and straightedge on the straight cuts. On my thumb is a piece of sandpaper. I'm sanding the edges, ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 10, Shroud Gluing (2019-05-24)Here's the final fit, ready for gluing. The large end overlaps the coupler slightly, making a "stop" going into the BT-101 lower tube. The assembly is straight, there is some camera distortion. The ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 11, Nozzle Assembly (2019-05-25)This is the type of glue you should be using - Bottled liquid plastic cement with the brush attached to the cap. Tube type plastic cement is iffy and not what it was fifty years ago. This ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 12, Nozzle Paint and Plate (2019-05-26)To hold the nozzles for painting, I punched hole in cardboard with a pencil. The pins in the top were pressed into the pencil holes. I also had to flip over and spray the nozzles from the top. There ... [Read More]
Saturn V Nozzle Plate? (2019-05-26)In the 2011 Saturn V build I mentioned adding a nozzle plate cover print to the Saturn V kit. Here's that post from 2011: CLICK HERE I don't think it would work now - the holes in the card stock ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 13, Cutting Out The Vacu-Form Wraps (2019-05-27)The vacu-form wraps are cut out with a 1/16" border. That border gives you a small flat edge surface for the spray glue adhesion. I tend to cut the seam sides (right and left sides) wider than ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 14, Gluing the Vacu-Form Wraps (2019-05-28)I would recommend the Scotch 77 spray adhesive to attach the wraps. It does come in different looking cans. The "45" adhesive is meant for lighter applications, like mounting a photo in an album. ... [Read More]
Mike Fields' Saturn V Engine Mount Fillets (2019-05-28)An email from Mike Fields' about reaching the recessed fillets on the Saturn V centering rings - "I thought I would try something different with the engine mount in my Estes Saturn ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 15, Interstage Wrap? (2019-05-29)Last February on the NAR Facebook page, Jay M. Chladek may have found an error - "If the wraps are aligned (as molded) and shown in the instructions, the vertical half round wood tunnels may not ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 16, Adapter and Third Stage Wrap (2019-05-30)Be sure the edges of the Reduction Wrap are smooth and have a consistent width. this will effect the fit on the large tube edge. I wrapped some 220 grit around the BT-101 tube and ran the edges ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 17, Fins (2019-05-31)The new styrene fins add a lot of strength over the old vacu-form fins. I used the liquid cement to assemble the halves. The liquid cement dries very fast. To start I brushed a line of of glue ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 18, Cutting Out The Fin Fairings (2019-06-01)The fin fairings are different than the tube wraps. The higher the vacu-form piece, the thinner the plastic sheet is stretched when molding. The high back arch and fin slots of the fairings are ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 19, Fitting The Fin Fairings (2019-06-02)Wrap and tape some 220 grit sandpaper around the BT-101 main body tube. TIP: Sand the REAR of the fairings first, otherwise the back end will flex and possibly crack. Sand the rear, from side to ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 20, Fine Fitting the Fairings (2019-06-03)With the fairing plastic being so thin, a good fit is needed for a gluing edge and overall strength of the joint. I got a small flex crack at the thin corner on one fairing. A piece of Scotch tape ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 21, Cutting Fin Slots (2019-06-04)The knife blade easily follows the sides of the molded fin recess slot. TIP: This high slot plastic is thin. Cut the side lines using a few light cuts with a sharp blade. TIP: Cut the ends from the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 22, Positioning The Fins And Fairings (2019-06-05)GOTCHA: The instructions don't go into much detail about gluing on the fins. They don't mention gluing the fin root edge to the low body tube wrap. Only outside joint gluing is shown. If there is no ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 23, Gluing The Fins And Fairings (2019-06-05)TIP: To start - Glue just the front tip and rear edge of the fin to the body tube. Line up on the center pencil line drawn earlier. Using very little glue now will allow you to lift and re-position ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 24, Reinforcing The Fairings Part 1 (2019-06-06)If your build is like mine, (on some fins) the rear of the fairing base doesn't contact the body tube. The edge floats, not making contact with the end of the body tube. It can be reinforced. You'll ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 25, Reinforcing The Fairings Part 2 (2019-06-07)Look close at the right side picture. There is a pencil line inside the edge of the fairing. The disk will be glued inside that border. The contact cement is brushed on the fairing up to the pencil ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 26, Cutting The Lower Body Tube, Part 1 (2019-06-08)The illustration in the Estes instructions doesn't tell you how much of the body tube is cut away between the fairings. Looking at this illustration from the Apogee instructions, the horizontal cut ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 27, Cutting The Lower Body Tube, Part 2 (2019-06-09)The black line isn't shown on the tape isn't shown here. (Shown in last post) I added that black line after trying to cut the first piece. This is important for strength of the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 28, Assembling the Tower (2019-06-10)If you make a lot of plastic models you should have a sprue cutter or nipper. It allows you to cut the pieces off the trees with little left to trim off. TIP: Wait to cut off and remove the RCS ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 29, Assembling the Capsule (2019-06-10)The instructions show two pats of clay supplied and pressed into the capsule. The kit supplies four pieces of clay. GOTCHA: The kit supplies four pieces of clay. Estes is now recommending to use all ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 30, Cutting The Tunnels (2019-06-11)Looking from the side you can see the tunnel ends have an angle molded into them. It'll be hard to fit the half-round dowels into this. Square off an end of a half-round and set it into the molded ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 31, Gluing The Tunnels (2019-06-12)After the tunnels were cut and fitted, they were hit with CWF and smooth sanding. A coat of filler/primer and sanding before gluing onto the body tube. The primer on the body tube locations was ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 32, Install Wire Anchor (2019-06-13)This illustration is from the older #2157 Saturn V kit. The new instructions don't have a full-size drawing for bending the wire anchor. If you would like the PDF with the full-size wire template, ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 33, Painting TIP & Launch Lugs (2019-06-14)The instructions show the upper section assemblies being glued together now, before the model is painted. TIP: Wait to install the shock cord anchors. You'll find it easier to paint the the 4" ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 34, RCS Nozzle Painting (2019-06-15)Here's how the RCS nozzles look while still on the trees. TIP: Note the center molding dent. I filled the circular indentation with some medium CA applied with a toothpick. A small drop made a small ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 35, White Base Coats (2019-06-16)Mentioned earlier - This is a large model, hard to get even coverage using a spray can. Spray it in sections. Here's the 4" diameter lower body. Look to the low end cutouts. There is masking tape, ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 36, Wrap Reduction Black Outlines Part 1 (2019-06-17)The older (from the Centuri kit) corrugated wraps in the #2157 kit had horizontal raised lines to make the masking easier. I can't see using masking tape going in and out of the raised corrugations. ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 37, Wrap Reduction Black Outlines Part 2 (2019-06-18)Before proceeding - Please understand this method is not perfect. If you aren't careful with the spray can, paint can still sneak into the low ribs of the corrugation. I still had quite a bit of ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 38, Interstage Wrap Black (2019-06-19)The black bands on the low end are carried up to the interstage wrap. After you draw the low end black lines, set an aluminum angle down that line. Check to see if the angle is in line with the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 39, Interstage Wrap Black (2019-06-19)This is the 9/16" wide horizontal stripe. and a time consuming part of the mask. You'll be going in and out of the corrugations and have to keep the line consistent when viewed straight on. Ask any ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 40, Lower Body Outlines (2019-06-20)At the top of the fairings I used the flat back of a single edge razor blade for a straightedge. Masking tape was doubled over the sharp blade edge. The ultra fine point Sharpie was used for the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 41, Masking For The Black (2019-06-21)TIP: I wouldn't recommend masking and spraying the model in one sitting. It's simply too much work, you could find it overwhelming. 1. Mask and spray the reduction and third stage body as one ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 42, Interstage Mask (2019-06-22)Here's the start of the interstage wrap mask. First, use smaller pieces of tape over the tunnels and raised details. Be sure the inside corners are tucked in and the edges sealed. After the tunnel ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 43, Masking For The Silver (2019-06-23)This might be a tougher mask than the insterstage wrap! I used some frosted Scotch tape to mask the curve around the fairing. I cut the 1/4" wide strips in as smooth an arc as I could. These were ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 44, Spraying The Silver (2019-06-24)Before spraying the silver, I didn't want to spray the silver with a dull coat after the decals. A dull coat could turn the silver to a gray. The low end of the model got a dull coat before the ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 45, Parachutes (2019-06-25)You have three parachutes to assemble. The design is from the old Centuri kit and simulates the gore pattern from the Apollo mission splashdowns. TIP: Turn over your straightedge so there is no ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 46, Silver Reveal and OOPS! (2019-06-26)The silver was sprayed. Look at the root edge of the fin. You can see where I lightly sanded the liquid glue "fillet". The coats that followed covered it well. Here's the reveal after the tape ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 47, Gluing The RCS Nozzles (2019-06-27)I'm going to add one hour to the build time for all the touch-ups that were done around the mask areas. I was careful as possible and still had paint get into areas I thought were covered. TIP: ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 48, Decals Start, Part A (2019-06-28)There are about 40 decals to apply! Hold the decals up to a light and you can see the clear coat border. I'll be cutting the decals close, about 1/16" from the printed image. TIP: Every decal ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 49, Decals Part B (2019-06-29)For consistent placement of the A, B, C, & D fin decals, TIP: Make a template from cardstock. Trace around a fin leaving some area on the outside for a "handle". Trace on both sides for both ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 50, Decals Part C (2019-06-30)These camera targets could be saved for last, after you've had some practice with the larger decals. Again, tweezers help with placement. Be sure there is water set down in the corrugations before ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 51, Silver Trim and Dull Coat (2019-07-01)Normally I'd paint and leave a Saturn V with gloss paint. Flat paint is a dirt and finger oil magnet! Flat finishes are also hard to clean. Estes requested these builds to have a dull, no gloss ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Part 52, Finishing Up! (2019-07-02)Here's the silver detail after it was hand painted again following the dull coat. Much better! I didn't glue together the upper assembly so the service module could stay separate (and silver) ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V #1969 Build, Finished! (2019-07-03)Okay, where are the finished pictures? I built TWO Saturn Vs and had a deadline. Trying to paint around Florida's Summer rains and humidity is a bear! When all was finished I would have to take ... [Read More]
Saturn V Fairing Melts? BIG Tip (2019-07-09)I've already seen a few Estes Saturn V launches celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing. Before launching, take a moment to be sure your model is ABOVE THE BLAST DEFLECTOR - From ... [Read More]
TOP TEN BUILDS for 2019 (2020-01-01)An end of the year tradition - This annual list puts some of the blog builds in order from least favorite (10) to the best (1). These are the models and events that were rocketry high points ... [Read More]
New Design Concepts For Estes (2020-08-14)Aldo Spadoni wrote on Facebook: I’m very pleased to announce that I’m designing model rocket kit concepts for Estes Industries! Estes subcontracted my company, Aerospace Imagineering, to ... [Read More]
A Tale of Two Saturns Part 1 (2011-07-06)On a recent trip back home to California I found my old Estes Saturn V. The pictures of the unfinished Estes Saturn were taken in the attic of my Grandparents ranch house in Moss Landing, C ... [Read More]
A Tale Of Two Saturns Part 2 (2011-08-12)Part 2: On a recent trip back home to California I found my old Estes Saturn V. The pictures of the unfinished Estes Saturn were taken in the attic of my Grandparents ranch house in Moss Landing, ... [Read More]
Email from South Africa (2011-08-14)Recently I received an Email from Heinrich in South Africa. He came across my Estes Saturn V build when doing some image searches. I sent him the PDF scans of the shrouds and some downscaled ... [Read More]
Rocket Mail from South Africa (2011-08-14)Recently I received an Email from Heinrich in South Africa. He came across my Estes Saturn V build when doing some image searches. I sent him the PDF scans of the shrouds and some downscaled ... [Read More]
Updates for Searches (2012-12-06)Today I went back and added a "DZ" to the labels on the Dr. Zooch Saturn V build posts. This will distinguish the Dr. Zooch Saturn build from the Estes Saturn V build done earlier. I'll try to make ... [Read More]
Tampa TTRA Launch December 15, 2012 (2012-12-16)I drove to Oviedo, FL (JonRocket.com Headquarters) to pick up Roger Smith. He had a new camera and put it to good use today! Still pictures are mine, all action shots were taken by Roger. Roger's ... [Read More]
Estes Saturn V New Fairing Reinforcements (2020-12-07)On the Facebook Model Rocketry Fanatics page, Steven Carricato posted a parts picture from his new Saturn V and Saturn 1B kits. I noticed something interesting. In the center of the ... [Read More]
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