Airfix 1/144 Saturn V
Discussion
After almost three months of intensive accounts preparation and tax return work, I am ready at long last to return to the modelling workbench.
In order to preserve any form of sanity over the period and to give my brain a break from tax work, I've been reading up on project Apollo and have really built up a head of enthusiasm for doing an Apollo related subject.
I decided that it was about time I had a Saturn V in my collection - especially as it will provide an impressive comparison to my already completed similar scale Space Shuttle and Saturn IB.
The kit I have in my collection is the re-released and updated version of the now very old Airfix Saturn V. Like the Saturn IB model, Airfix released corrected versions in 2009/10. The main area of correction is the Command/Service Module (CSM) which is now of the correct dimensions and features the proper surface details for a Block II Command/Service module. The original kit had a Command Service Module which was under scale and the panel details were based on Block I designs - which were never used for manned Apollo missions.
As a consequence of the CSM dimension corrections, the Lunar Module Adaptor fairing is now also corrected.
Elsewhere the model remains much as it has since it was first released in 1970.
The moulds are definitely past their best and a close inspection of some elements, such as the first stage engines (the mighty F1) shows plenty of flash and, in one case, an actual hole in the engine exhaust bell - which will have to be patched somehow.
I'm not terribly worried about seam lines or damage etc on these engines because, in real life, when sitting on the pad ready for launch, these engines were "batted" i.e. they were covered in a heat protective ablative material - rather like a blanket. I intend to use foil to replicate this material and it will hide a multitude of mould flaws, damage etc.
I built an Airfix Saturn V way back in 1980/81 and it will be an interesting experience revisiting this monster after three and a half decades.
In order to preserve any form of sanity over the period and to give my brain a break from tax work, I've been reading up on project Apollo and have really built up a head of enthusiasm for doing an Apollo related subject.
I decided that it was about time I had a Saturn V in my collection - especially as it will provide an impressive comparison to my already completed similar scale Space Shuttle and Saturn IB.
The kit I have in my collection is the re-released and updated version of the now very old Airfix Saturn V. Like the Saturn IB model, Airfix released corrected versions in 2009/10. The main area of correction is the Command/Service Module (CSM) which is now of the correct dimensions and features the proper surface details for a Block II Command/Service module. The original kit had a Command Service Module which was under scale and the panel details were based on Block I designs - which were never used for manned Apollo missions.
As a consequence of the CSM dimension corrections, the Lunar Module Adaptor fairing is now also corrected.
Elsewhere the model remains much as it has since it was first released in 1970.
The moulds are definitely past their best and a close inspection of some elements, such as the first stage engines (the mighty F1) shows plenty of flash and, in one case, an actual hole in the engine exhaust bell - which will have to be patched somehow.
I'm not terribly worried about seam lines or damage etc on these engines because, in real life, when sitting on the pad ready for launch, these engines were "batted" i.e. they were covered in a heat protective ablative material - rather like a blanket. I intend to use foil to replicate this material and it will hide a multitude of mould flaws, damage etc.
I built an Airfix Saturn V way back in 1980/81 and it will be an interesting experience revisiting this monster after three and a half decades.
To be more precise - the 1st and 2nd stages were needed to lift 100 tons into low earth orbit i.e. an altitude of under 200 miles and a velocity of 17,500 mph.
The third stage was required to accelerate the 30 tons of Command/Service Module and Lunar Module to an altitude of 250,000 miles and a velocity of 25,000 mph.
The third stage was required to accelerate the 30 tons of Command/Service Module and Lunar Module to an altitude of 250,000 miles and a velocity of 25,000 mph.
Here you can see some of the problems apparent with the engines.
This is a picture showing one half of one of the six J-2 engines provided. The second stage had five of these and the top stage had one. You will notice a large protuberance in the centre of the engine bell. This did not feature in the original release of the Airfix kit. However, in 1980, when Airfix was owned by Palitoy, they turned some of their kits into what they called "Snap n'Glue" supposedly to make them easier to build. Large location holes and pins were added to the original moulds.
Whether they aided construction back then is a moot point. All they do today is get in the way and prevent even mating of the parts. So - one of the first thing you have to do in the construction sequence is remove all these unwanted lugs. Once removed, the parts fit much better.
The second picture shows one of the five F1 engines of the first stage. You can see the damage to the part which appears to be caused by a faulty mould. The mould is now 45 years old and is obviously really past its best.
I have place a backing plate of plasticard behind the hole and will fill the gap with putty.
As I mentioned earlier, the foil batting material will cover all these repairs and mould flaws.
Her's what the batted engines looked like in real life-
This is a picture showing one half of one of the six J-2 engines provided. The second stage had five of these and the top stage had one. You will notice a large protuberance in the centre of the engine bell. This did not feature in the original release of the Airfix kit. However, in 1980, when Airfix was owned by Palitoy, they turned some of their kits into what they called "Snap n'Glue" supposedly to make them easier to build. Large location holes and pins were added to the original moulds.
Whether they aided construction back then is a moot point. All they do today is get in the way and prevent even mating of the parts. So - one of the first thing you have to do in the construction sequence is remove all these unwanted lugs. Once removed, the parts fit much better.
The second picture shows one of the five F1 engines of the first stage. You can see the damage to the part which appears to be caused by a faulty mould. The mould is now 45 years old and is obviously really past its best.
I have place a backing plate of plasticard behind the hole and will fill the gap with putty.
As I mentioned earlier, the foil batting material will cover all these repairs and mould flaws.
Her's what the batted engines looked like in real life-
Ironically, the computing power needed to keep a Saturn V straight and pointing the right way is probably a lot less complex than the software needed for multiple spin and wash cycles.
The really clever part of the Saturn guidance system was the use of gyroscopes and accelerometers which could sense what the rocket was doing and issue instructions to the F1 engines to swivel (gimbal) in the necessary way to keep the thing straight.
Essentially, it was a development of the technology used for aircraft autopilots which had been in use since the 1920s. The equipment was contained in what was called the Instrument Unit and it can be seen in this picture -
It's the narrow ring just beneath the Lunar Module adaptor near the top of the rocket.
The really clever part of the Saturn guidance system was the use of gyroscopes and accelerometers which could sense what the rocket was doing and issue instructions to the F1 engines to swivel (gimbal) in the necessary way to keep the thing straight.
Essentially, it was a development of the technology used for aircraft autopilots which had been in use since the 1920s. The equipment was contained in what was called the Instrument Unit and it can be seen in this picture -
It's the narrow ring just beneath the Lunar Module adaptor near the top of the rocket.
It's just Saturn V - there was no Saturn Vb. There was a Saturn I and Ib though.
The Apollo project in totallity is one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken by mankind. It would be a difficult thing to do today, let alone 50 years ago.
However, the SLS and Orion should regain this lost capability.
I've been to the Johnson Space Centre (way back in 1981) and saw their example. I think it is indoors now - as is the Kennedy Space Centre example.
The Apollo project in totallity is one of the greatest engineering projects ever undertaken by mankind. It would be a difficult thing to do today, let alone 50 years ago.
However, the SLS and Orion should regain this lost capability.
I've been to the Johnson Space Centre (way back in 1981) and saw their example. I think it is indoors now - as is the Kennedy Space Centre example.
Not that good actually. The Saturn V seemed to lumber off the pad. Initially the thrust to weight ratio wasn't that great. The Shuttle kicked off the pad at a much higher rate of knots.
The Saturn V only really began to motor along when the 1st stage was dropped off and the five J2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engines of the second stage lit up.
The first stage of the Saturn V can be looked on as the low geared stage needed to just lift the other two stages and the payload to an altitude of 30 odd miles and a speed of around 5,000 mph. The first stage was a heavy hauler - the top two stages were the sports cars.
The Saturn V only really began to motor along when the 1st stage was dropped off and the five J2 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen engines of the second stage lit up.
The first stage of the Saturn V can be looked on as the low geared stage needed to just lift the other two stages and the payload to an altitude of 30 odd miles and a speed of around 5,000 mph. The first stage was a heavy hauler - the top two stages were the sports cars.
New Ware and LVM Studios do some excellent resin and photo-etch accessories for real space models. But their prices are beyond what I am prepared to pay for my hobby - especially LVM.
I've seen some of the LVT stuff at Telford and it is truly impressive. especially things like launch gantries. But I can't justify to myself spending that kind of money.
LVT are currently producing a full size, highly detailed Launch Tower for the Saturn V in all the main scales (1/72, 1/96 and 1/144) and it will look absolutely stunning. But it will cost (I reckon) around £1,000.
http://lvm-studios.com/project/apollo-saturn-v-lut...
I've seen some of the LVT stuff at Telford and it is truly impressive. especially things like launch gantries. But I can't justify to myself spending that kind of money.
LVT are currently producing a full size, highly detailed Launch Tower for the Saturn V in all the main scales (1/72, 1/96 and 1/144) and it will look absolutely stunning. But it will cost (I reckon) around £1,000.
http://lvm-studios.com/project/apollo-saturn-v-lut...
Many thanks.
The main box painting does indeed seem to show this fairly correctly but the side view (which also features in the set of instructions) is best ignored I think.
I've managed to find some scale drawings from various sources so I'll double check with them and actual photos. There were minor differences between all the various Saturn Vs used so using photos isn't always that fantastic a source unless you have a full 360 degree set of photos for one specific Saturn V.
The main box painting does indeed seem to show this fairly correctly but the side view (which also features in the set of instructions) is best ignored I think.
I've managed to find some scale drawings from various sources so I'll double check with them and actual photos. There were minor differences between all the various Saturn Vs used so using photos isn't always that fantastic a source unless you have a full 360 degree set of photos for one specific Saturn V.
Hopefully it will look good when finished. But it will take a bit of work.
On the subject of the preserved Vs, they are indeed impressive. I saw the one preserved at Houston back in 1981.
However, they aren't always indicative of the way they looked when being used. Some are missing certain components for instance and some of them make use of sections of the SA500-D dummy Saturn V that was used for pad and equipment checkout tests in 1966.
On the subject of the preserved Vs, they are indeed impressive. I saw the one preserved at Houston back in 1981.
However, they aren't always indicative of the way they looked when being used. Some are missing certain components for instance and some of them make use of sections of the SA500-D dummy Saturn V that was used for pad and equipment checkout tests in 1966.
The Vostok is back again too - still as inaccurate as ever.
Unfortunately, no other mainstream manufacturer has ever made an R-7 rocket in 1/144 scale. Real Space do various versions of the R7 in resin but they are costly and Real Space can be a bit iffy on delivery so I've heard.
Which is a pity because they do some excellent stuff.
Unfortunately, no other mainstream manufacturer has ever made an R-7 rocket in 1/144 scale. Real Space do various versions of the R7 in resin but they are costly and Real Space can be a bit iffy on delivery so I've heard.
Which is a pity because they do some excellent stuff.
Have the day off today and so decided to do some work on the Saturn. Lots of filling and filing going on, I have to say.
One item that needs correcting is the heat shield which protects the base of the SII stage from the heat of the five J engines. The kit item doesn't look awfully like the real thing. I found some references on the internet which show the true shape. It could do with being completely replaced but I am just altering it a bit to make it look a bit better. Most of the time it will be hidden from view anyway.
The second image shows the shield part way through being amended.
And if anybody says anything, the Saturn V displayed at cape Canaveral has left this shield off. `
One item that needs correcting is the heat shield which protects the base of the SII stage from the heat of the five J engines. The kit item doesn't look awfully like the real thing. I found some references on the internet which show the true shape. It could do with being completely replaced but I am just altering it a bit to make it look a bit better. Most of the time it will be hidden from view anyway.
The second image shows the shield part way through being amended.
And if anybody says anything, the Saturn V displayed at cape Canaveral has left this shield off. `
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