Apollo Saturn V

[Decoman]

Just a thought, Decoman, but what about horizontal space? The Saturn V rocket in Houston at the Johnson Space Center is displayed horizontally.

Aah interesting idea!

[scottminium]

As for adding detail, it is certainly possible, but the scale of the kit will limit you.  For example, the thrusters on the service module are very tiny and molded in place.  To detail these you would need to sand them off and find something to replace them.  Overall the fit is pretty good, but there are exceptions, and while I am interested in having a nice build, I have my limits on filling and sanding the payload doors to smoothly seal in the LEM. 

Incidentally, my plan is to take pics of the assembled beast, but it will be displayed horizontally, were it is much less likely to be killed by my cats. 

Tonight and tomorrow I am masking the conical joint and the second stage portions.  Then onto final painting!

[scottminium]

OK, so been a bit slower than I hoped.  Here is a shot of the first and second stages, base painting done, some detail and a LOT of touchup remaining.  For the interstage (1->2) and conical section I once again experimented until I found a stable platform for a pencil, then I held that steady while tracing a level line.  After that, the 6mm Tamiya tape (it's what was available) was used to mask as you can press it into place nicely with a fingernail. 

Some detailing remaining on the payload section, along with touchup, clear coating, and decals.  Overall coming together pretty nicely.

[Decoman]

I wonder if the fins could be sanded more sharp with this kit (Airfix kit?).

Usually, molded plastic propellers for scale model ships have stubby edges and sanding them sharp is an easy and fun thing to do.

[scottminium]

Cleanup, touch up and decals complete!  Now to let everything dry before sealing up.  The decals are pretty nice, though the decal and painting instructions for the kit do not always match photos.  Nice bit of research to find enough photos.  Even then, I did include decals on the command module, which was not true until Skylab.  Pretty fun kit, though there are things I would do differently should I ever build one again.

[Decoman]

What things would you have done differently as you say?

I have this type of kit on my wish list myself.

[scottminium]

@Decoman, in no particular order:
-figure out a way to mask over ribbed sections.  I think I figured it out in the end with really thin masking tape, but it's tough.
-Lots of little rockets are glued onto the second stage 'adapter', leave those off until painting complete.
-not sure my choice of color on the interiors was good.  The various tanks were all zinc chromate, but what about the inside of the cylinders?
-don't assume big plastic pieces sticking up from the base are left over sprue
-if you can insert tank pieces after assembly of the cylinders (not all are possible) do it.  they get less in the way of painting.

While not all the fit was as good as I would like, overall this was a marginally challenging kit and an enjoyable build.  There isn't much detail on the main engines, and not much at all on the second stage, but the fact you can disassemble the whole thing for show and tell is pretty cool.

[scottminium]

And two pics of the final beastie, one with the escape system, one without.

[Decoman]

The "technical" black and white painting scheme is very charming imo. I guess the odd black markings are for better seeing how this large rocket (or missile?) rotates after lift off.

Being into working with styrene, I wonder how difficult it would be to replace the molded plastic for the supporting construction for the crew ejection rocket on the very top.

[starsiegeplayer]

Beauty build!

[scottminium]

Thanks Decoman and Starsiege!

As for the black and white scheme, it was used to monitor for roll during flight.  This was something German rocket designers had done before, and they brought the technique to NASA.  Incidentally, the paint scheme was identical for all the Apollo flights.  The paint scheme shown on this box and in the instructions was for a test version than never flew.

Again, what is neat and challenging about this kit is the fact you can assemble and disassemble it for show, everything fits together although there are two parts that do not 'lock' and just fit nicely.  Great if you want show the Saturn V in stages.

[Decoman]

Just to be clear, is this the Airfix kit?

I noticed yesterday that Dragon has a kit too, but that is for 1:72 scale.

[scottminium]

I don't have experience with airfix, though I'd venture that Tamiya or Airfix would have a more precisely engineered kit for the additional cost you will pay.  Though this kit (Revell) had some rough edges and detail here and there isn't great, I would say it is a good value. 

This kit stands 77cm.  I cannot imagine building the 1/72 version, though take a look at mine and imagine the whole thing twice as big!  Detail at that size would either be outstanding or horrid as it would all show very plainly.

[MSgtUSAFRet]

Very nice build, Scott! Very well done!