Yah the fins are critical as you say, and the kit vac formed fins are hard to work with.

I used resin fins from Modin the oldies, but I'm not sure they are still available.

The kit fins are oversized to make the rocket stable, and the resin ones are a even bigger.

Your build is looking very nice! Clean work on the wraps.

This is mine, it flew once and turned in a good flight.

The 5 engine cluster:

Make sure its CG is is good, If I remember correctly it should balance close to the 1st stage point with the motor and recovery wadding in place.

For various reasons progress is slow. I did manage to paint the wheels this weekend. The rubber is painted with Tamiya black lightened some using Tamiya white. The rims are painted with Alcad aluminum over a basecoat of black. The pieces themselves are resin. The kit provides both resin and plastic. The resin has flatted bottoms and the plastic do not. I went with the resin.

The wires are more than just holders for painting. They will anchor the model to the desert scape. I will drill holes through the base and glue the wires from below. It is recommended that weights are added to the model in order keep the model standing on all three wheels. In my case, I already knew how I would anchor it, and I didn't bother with the weights.

I am still waiting on the replacement decals. That is probably still several weeks off. There is plenty more I can do until then.

Lastly--I did see Apollo 11 last week and it was excellent. I will buy the movie on disc when it is released.

End of update

Excelent job painting the wheels.

Nice wheels and a good idea on the wires! 

Also, glad you liked Apollo 11.

I ordered this to paint Gordo. Its a primer for bumpers, it says its ideal vinyl and plastic.

We will see.

Thanks, Steve.

Thanks, Mach. Btw...it was your conversation about Apollo 11 that made me check on it further. It turned out that it was the last day they were showing it here. They ran it for one week only. How sad. Anyway, I ordered tickets and went with my brother. It was very good.

Steve, you point about the flu was a good one. Guess what I got the day after seeing the movie? Yes, the flu. I don’t think I got it from the threatre, but from the office. It has exploded there. This is a respiratory flu and a pretty bad one. I have a friend that has it now and I am very concerned for her. She has heart and lung issues. The girl suffers too much, it breaks my heart. Praying for her.

Good luck with the primer, Mach. Oh, and nice job on the instrument panel. Looks great!

Mach,

Thanks for showing your Saturn V.  My wraps had been a pain since my main tube has had an egg shape to it that I have not been able to get out until the wraps were installed and the adhesive cured.  Some of the wraps had come undone and had to be CA'd.  This caused gaps that needed filling.  Since I am concered with weight and balance I'm using Balsa Lite, which requires the plastic coated tubing to be roughed up with sand paper so it adheres.  

Also, thanks the Center of Gravity advice.  Looks like you ran yours with the C cluster?  My orginal kit ran with the cluster until one of the engines CATO's thanks to me not allowing enough distance between the engine nozzle and the blast deflector.

This is the new kit designed for a D12-3 or E12-4.  All the reviews I've read claims it flies really good on the E12-4.

My fins were solid plasitc, but those dang farrings seemed wither be to large or too small.  Really takes a lot of time test fitting and trimming to try to get it right.

I know now why I only ever built one vacuform airplane.  Anyone remember how popular those kinds got back in the 70s and 80s?

Scott

I must admit I've been feeling rather "bleh" for awhile and sleeping a lot.  I attribute it to the antibiotics I've been taking for the sinus infection.  My muscles are aching also.  I tried sanding on the new nose cone part and my hand kept cramping up, so this is going to take awhile longer!  I think I may be getting old! 

Scottrc> That's excellent work on the Estes SV!  I know that I would think twice about trying to make a vac-u-form kit, though building one out of paper would not be out of bounds.  Are you really planning to fly this, or is it just made that way?

Bakster> Nice wheels!  I was just looking the amount of time we have left, and thinking about your decals.  Hopefully they'll get them to you soon, but we can still fall back on making a home-printed set if you so desire.  Good work overall!  Sorry to hear about the flu.  I mentioned earlier in this thread that I had gone through the stuff back in December.  It is not something I would wish on anyone!  Take care of yourself!

Unfortunately, due to my health, I was unable to get out to see "Apollo 11".  Well, if it doesn't come to my local theater, I'll just have to wait for the DVD.

Meanwhile, I'm cleaning out my stash.  There's a model show near me on April 6th and I'm going to have a table reserved to see if I can sell a few things.  I'm realizing that I'll never be able to build all these models in my lifetime (what with my rate of building).  I plan on selling what I can, or trading for something that I need / want.  No, none of my old spacecraft models are in the pile. 

Gary

GAF

Bakster> Nice wheels!  I was just looking the amount of time we have left, and thinking about your decals.  Hopefully they'll get them to you soon, but we can still fall back on making a home-printed set if you so desire.  Good work overall!  Sorry to hear about the flu.  I mentioned earlier in this thread that I had gone through the stuff back in December.  It is not something I would wish on anyone!  Take care of yourself! Unfortunately, due to my health, I was unable to get out to see "Apollo 11".  Well, if it doesn't come to my local theater, I'll just have to wait for the DVD.

Gary--I hear you about the flu, it's a bad one. And, sorry you are still struggling. I have similar issues. It is almost as bad as the swine flu variant that hit last year. That was awful, and in some ways I don't think I ever really recovered completely. But this one is darn close to it. My friend that I was talking about is now in the hospital. She was taken via ER and told she is lucky that she came in. With her weak heart and lungs, it likely would have killed her. She is not out of the woods, she is fighting to survive.  Very concerned for her.

If I get the decals within the next 4 to 6 weeks I should still be good. The biggest time suck right now is the base, and what I am trying to accomplish. I am still working out a process and of course I always have grandiose ideas. But the biggest issue is a lack of motivation and life issues that set a person back. I might have to scale back my goals to make the deadline. We shall see.

Anyway--thanks for chiming in on things.

Bakster

in some ways I don't think I ever really recovered completely.

Bakster, I was told by my pulmonologist that everybody loses some lung capacity everytime we get a respiratory condition, I.E. flu, cold, bronchitis, etc. Most people, he said, have enough capacity in reserve to last their entire lives.

My catching the flu during Thanksgiving 2017 is what kicked me over the edge and put me on the transplant list. I would have eventually declined enough to get there, but the flu just accelerated it.

At our age, everybody needs to be extreamly careful, especially during the fall, winter, spring.

modelcrazy

Bakster, I was told by my pulmonologist that everybody loses some lung capacity everytime we get a respiratory condition, I.E. flu, cold, bronchitis, etc. Most people, he said, have enough capacity in reserve to last their entire lives.

Egads. I did not know that.

modelcrazy

My catching the flu during Thanksgiving 2017 is what kicked me over the edge and put me on the transplant list. I would have eventually declined enough to get there, but the flu just accelerated it

modelcrazy

At our age, everybody needs to be extreamly careful, especially during the fall, winter, spring

I wish I could. In this office it spreads like wildfire.We had about 8 people come down with the flu all on the same day at the same time. How does that happen? I can't figure where we might have been exposed at the same time. I also just learned one person was out all last week. I thought he was on vacation. Not. Sick with Influenze B. My friend that is in the hospital has A.  Rediculous stuff. 

Bakster

Steve--what damaged your lungs to start with? If you don't mind my asking...

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis

My condition was/is hereditary. My mother passed from it in 2012 and my brother has it. I still have it since it's in my genes but it won't start affecting me again for another 40 years or so, by that time, it won't matter.

modelcrazy

  

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiopathic_pulmonary_fibrosis

My condition was/is hereditary. My mother passed from it in 2012 and my brother has it. I still have it since it's in my genes but it won't start affecting me again for another 40 years or so, by that time, it won't matter.

 

He's at the place I was at about 5 years ago, tickle in the chest that causes dry coughing fits several times a day, gets out of breath very easily. He sees how well I'm doing which gives him hope but he's 4 years older than me so he's concerned about getting bad enough for a transplant when he's too old for one.

modelcrazy

He's at the place I was at about 5 years ago, tickle in the chest that causes dry coughing fits several times a day, gets out of breath very easily. He sees how well I'm doing which gives him hope but he's 4 years older than me so he's concerned about getting bad enough for a transplant when he's too old for one.

 

Ouch, sorry to hear about the medical conditions. My hopes and prayers you guys are back up in better health soon.

Mach71: That looks fantastic!!! I swear there is no way on Earth I'd launch something I'd spent that much time on though!!!

Bakster: Those wheels look good!

Steve>  Happy you are doing better.  I know none of us are getting younger (well, most of us anyway) and we need to watch our health.  It's bad enough when you catch something as awful as a disease you can do nothing about, but to have your body fail on its own is really tough.  I try to keep things in perspective and realize that there are people out there in far worse shape.

As far as my project is going, I'm still sanding on this nose cone.  I must admit, it's beginning to annoy me.

Gary

A bit more progress, I'm slowly getting the cockpit done.

The decals are on the instrument panel, the control pull switches are on.

I've run wires on the cockpit bulkhead.

getting close....

I've also washed and primed the vinyl parts, but the primer is clear so nothing to see there.

scottrc,

Sorry, i just realized I never responded.

Its the late 90's Estes Release. I started it back then and put it on the shelf for almost 

10 years before I finished it. 

It was designed for 1 D motor, and I had alread installed the kit mount when I decided to go with a 5 cluster. 

I ended up with 1 D and 4 A mini motors for the cluster. It was kind of a kludge getting the new mount to mate with the new mount. 

My objective was to accelerate it fast so the fins would be effective by the time it left the

launch rod. It worked well enough.

Mach71>  Nice work on the IP!  I'm glad you're making progress, as I seem to be moving at a snail's pace recently.  I'm gripped with a lethargy that is rather troubling.  Could be because of the recent sinus infection and the amount of antibiotics I was taking, or something else.  Your SV build was really something!  Glad you shared the pictures.

I hope everyone else is doing okay.  Seems to be the season for flu and colds as the weather begins to turn.  Hope all of this goes away soon and everyone is back at 100% again.

My own project moves along.  I've managed to finish sanding the top of the nose cone down until it fits well with the boost protective cover.  Tomorrow I want to use the dremel tool to carve out the opening in the bottom so it will fit over the connecting piece at the top of the capsule.  Then, I can proceed on with finishing the Command Module. That will be so gratifying!

Until tomorrow!

Gary

Mach71: Looks great! And you're making great progress too!

Looking good, Mach. I love those gauges. Your harnessing surely adds to the detail too.

PS: Eduard came through with the decals. Bakster says, Yeeas!

Bakster>  I second the "yea"!  Glad the decals arrived.  Sounds like progress can continue if you're feeling up to it. 

Project Report:

After several delays and on the third attempt the nose cone is finally fabricated!  It needs just some minor tweeks, but it's ready for final prep work and paint.  Used the dremel to carve out the opening in the bottom to fit over the docking adapter with a sandstone tip and a cutting drill.  Much rejoicing at Mission Control!

Still a lot of minor things to finish up, but with this my major scratch-building items are complete.  Astronauts report they are awaiting final word for liftoff! Now onward and upward!

Mission Director (GAF)

Today in Space History:

1948 March 30 - .

• XS-1 Flight 77 - . Crew: Hoover. Payload: XS-1 # 2 flight 33. Nation: USA. Related Persons: Hoover. Class: Manned. Type: Manned rocketplane. Spacecraft: XS-1. NACA flight 13. Stability and loads investigation. Mach 0.90..

1961 March 30 - . 18:05 GMT - . Launch Site: Edwards. Launch Complex: Hidden Hills DZ. Launch Pad: Edwards RW04/22. Launch Platform: NB-52 008.

• X-15A Alt., BCS, Aero test - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA, USAF. Spacecraft: X-15A. Apogee: 51 km (31 mi). Maximum Speed - 4441 kph. Maximum Altitude - 51700 m. Air dropped in Hidden Hills DZ..

1964 March 30 - . Launch Vehicle: Saturn V.

• Contract for production of 76 F-1 engines - . Nation: USA. Program: Apollo. MSFC awarded Rocketdyne a definitive contract (valued at $158.4 million) for the production of 76 F-1 engines for the first stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle and for delivery of ground support equipment.

Nice work Gary, looking good. 

Really good job on the nose cone! It looks great.

Bakster, good to hear the new decals arrived! 

Progress is being made.

I'm in the process of trying to use magnets to hold the antenna cover to the recovery

section. The instructions say not to glue it but the fit is very lose. 

Hey Gary, your build is looking good. I noticed in another post that you did that your kit will be rereleased. I really like that model. When it comes out I might just have to get it.  

Yeah, I am slowly getting my strength back and my motivation with it. I have another obstacle to consider. My friend has been in the hospital  from the flu going on a week. She has a cat, Sammie, and I volunteered to bring him home so that he is not alone all this time. I love cats, but there are certain known characteristics that come with them. One being that they are curious beyond measure. That means... hide the models or risk breakage, and/or lost parts. And this guy, is just young enough to go places older cats won't go. Even though he is 13, this cat can jump! Anyway, a change in tides creates a change in work flow. I am eager to get my project moving again. 

Keep up the good work guys.

Bakster>  Don't hold me to that release.  I've been checking the Scalemates site and I'm a bit confused about which version they're releasing.  There is a difference between the Revell and Monogram versions of the LM.  Since the restructuring, I'm not sure what they are going to kit out.  The 1/96th scale version of the LM and CM for sure, and the 1/96th scale Saturn V.  But which version of the 1/48th scale models is a bit vague.

Cats -- the bane of models! 

Gary

I'm looking forward to that release also! I built it as a kid, I'm not sure which release. Revell I think.

I got a lot of housekeeping things done today. Nothing major, just lots of little things.

First, I had to make the forward hatch/bulkhead for the capsule. There is a lot of empty space there and you could see right up into the recovery section.

I got the recovery section on the capsule, I got the magnets attatched to the antenna section and the recovery section. It holds but not great.

I got the capsule/hatch and the antenna section primed with grey Tamiya, the heatsheild with Rustoleum red/brown primer, and the first coat of aluminum on the retro package.

The window frame primed and painted.

After I put the forward bulkhead in, I got to thinking. I know, bad idea!

There are 2 O2 tanks in there that could be seen. So.... 2 fishing bobbers and some work.

I stuck a plastic rhinestone on the flat top, some putty.

Its not ready yet, but getting there.

Finally I got some silver paint on Gordo. I brush painted his helmet and his face.

I hope to get the 1st coat of black on the capsule tomorrow. I'm still not sure if I'll so

semi gloss black, gloss black, or gunmetal. I have all 3 on hand.

I think I'm leaning to the semi gloss, It will be easier to handle and I can hit it with

gloss coat for decaling before dull coating it.

Any thoughts from anyone?

Hey Mach--

your project is coming along nicely. Gordo looks great!  Good thinking on the O2 tanks too. Can't wait to see this when it's done. It's gonna be awesome.

Oh--I have no opinion on the capsule color. Hoping the other guys will chime on that for you.

Not to beat a dead horse but... decals are done. And guess what? These went on like a charm. I did do something different though. I didn't use Solvaset until after the decals were positioned. Instead, I applied water to the model that is mixed with a tiny amount of dish soap. The result was that I had all kinds of time to fine tune the decals. I applied Solvaset when I had them postitioned, and that really stuck them down. So, I wonder if the Solvaset was my problem the first go. Because, the second that the decals hit the model they were stuck, it was a nightmare. Not sure what to think. I have never had this issue before. I suppose it could gave been a bad batch of decals too.

Anyway--that is done. Now I can hit the model with some Dulcote. I'll wait a few days until the decals are good and dry. In the meantime, I will probably start masking the canopy.