Steve's Airfix 1:144 Saturn V

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Well I am on a roll with the space themed stuff. Following on from my "Eagle" lander project I have decided to brush the dust off this one from the stash. I never had chance to own one of these as a child so I picked this up a good few years ago with the intention of building it. Other builds got in the way and it took a back seat. I shall get started on it but there will be a stall in the build from early July until end of July, holiday time, but it will then run alongside a group build project. There is not a lot to the kit in terms of pieces so I am hoping for a fairly trouble free build. Here are a few pictures of the usual box, instructions, decals and some of the sprues, not all. There are about 80 parts to this kit.








Steve

[PaulTRose]

Dont think ive ever seen one of these built up

[Stefee]

Good luck, hope you have s big enough place to display it when finished. Watching with interest.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Welcome on board Stefan.

[spanner570]

Dont think ive ever seen one of these built up

There's been a couple of these built on here in the past.

The kit makes up into a very nice model.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Such an impressive Rocket Ron.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Forgot to add that this is going to be a no frills out of the box build. I want it for my grandchildren to be able to take to school for science projects etc so its a hands on piece of kit.

[Richard48]

Count me in Steve.Chair pulled up for this.Im very much into space stuff and Astronomy.
Richard

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Good to have you along Richard

[Airborne01]

Watching with interest mate, love the idea of a 'show and tell 'model!
Steve

[HAWKERHUNTER]

It's important for children to acknowledge the genius and risks of the space program and not just take things for granted. If you ask my grand kids, aged 4 and 6, who were the first men to walk on the moon they can tell you.

[flyjoe180]

I have one of these too Steve, but no idea where I'd be able to display it once built.

I found this info which may be of use for you:

https://www.apollosaturn.com/Website/Saturn-V-Markings

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Thanks for that information Joe. Will take a look at it.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Spent the last couple of days assembling the main rocket tree. No major issues and on the whole it all went together very well indeed just some minor sanding of some of the internal bulkheads on each stage so that the two halves came together without pressure. The whole model is very precisely made with each stage being clicked together and able to be separated from the rocket. Problems that I have identified was that the escape tower was damaged. It obviously wasn't manufactured correctly so I have been in contact with Airfix this morning trying to source a replacement.

Also each exhaust cone is made up of two halves so when joined they have a large seam line that needs taking care off if you want a neat and tidy finish so these will need some careful sanding and there are 11 of them

Other than that here are a few of the assembled stages. The rocket stands 30 inches when full assembled.

Above is the main stage one motor cluster. I haven't glued the motors in as they need preparing first. Below is stage 1

Next stage 2

Next stage 3

Next Command module and Lunar Lander

Finally all the stages assembled together

Thanks for checking in.

Steve

[spanner570]

Up, up and away!
Nice start, Steve.

It'll make a great 'Talking piece' amongst the little winkies.....

[Stefee]

Very nice - you certainly seem to have had problem parts (or lack thereof) with the last 2 builds. Certainly seems a little better engineered than the Revell kit I built, the major discrepancy is the undersized Command Module in relation to the Service Module, are you leaving it or is more scratching on the horizon?

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Definately no scratch building with this one Stefan. You probably know this but there is the cover that attaches to the escape tower and covers the command module that is shown in the picture. When fully assembled it doesn't look too bad.

[Stefee]

Didn't know that, interesting how different manufacturers tackle situations.

[flyjoe180]

Looks good Steve. You will have good references for the lunar module from your previous build!

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Yes Joe. I will spend some time on the little fella. Even though I have told myself no scratch building on this one I will make the best job I can do with what I have got.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Didn't know that, interesting how different manufacturers tackle situations.

When I get home I will bang a picture up of the command module with the protective cover on. But I do agree Stefan that the command module proportions are totally incorrect in relation to the service module but I suppose manufacturers have to do their best.

This is what it should look like

This is what airfix give you on this particular model

Cheers

Steve

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Didn't know that, interesting how different manufacturers tackle situations.

Here you go Stefan. This is picture of the command and service module with the protective cover at the side. Second picture is the cover fitted.



Cheers

Steve