1/24 Apollo/Saturn V (enlarged 1/48 Greelt et al version)

[dhanners]

Has anyone mentioned this is gonna be a big model?

Re: The artist's rendition of the S-1C parachuting gently to a water landing, to be refurbished and reused. Given that the stage's empty weight is concentrated at the bottom -- each F-1 weighed 18,500 lbs., so you've got more than 46 tons of metal at the base of the stage -- I'm thinking the spent stage will float right-side up, with the F-1s submerged. Even if they come up with some way to flood the tanks with seawater (the drawing appears to show the top of the tank being jettisoned) will that be enough weight to make it float as the picture depicts? My gut tells me "no," but I am neither a rocket scientist, a hydrologist or even particularly good at math.

I recall after the Challenger disaster, I read some study NASA had done on what would happen if an Orbiter had to perform an RTLS abort and wound up ditching in the ocean. The studies concluded that even if the Orbiter remained intact, the weight of the SSMEs would cause the vehicle to float tail-down, with its nose sticking straight up. And the waterline would be roughly 18 inches below the hatch. So, basically, if you open the hatch, the first wave floods the crew cabin. Not a good scenario.

Keep up the great work!

[beckychestney]

Originally Posted by Algebraist

(it must be incredible to actually be next to it for real).

Kevin

Yep!

[Algebraist]

Dear all

Other stuff has been taking up all my time lately but have now managed to get some more done on the 1/24 thrust structure.

I decided to follow the method I used for the 1/48 model, in that to make the "USA" ring of stage one and the use that in order to line up the top (pointy bit) of the outside of the F-1 engine fairings. I think the eye would easily notice if the black and white of the fairings did not line up exactly with the black and white of the USA ring.

For the 1/24 model the USA ring is 8 parts due to their size. So here are some photos of the outer skin being assembled.




As you can see some of the glued parts are getting pretty big. I have found it is essential to do a "dry run" of each glue to ensure everything is at hand and also that I physically move and hold the parts as required. Just trying to simply turn over such big parts (for example) can be a major operation and not everything is feasible in practice. The last join (to turn the strip into a cylinder) was the most difficult but managed by myself. This would be a lot easier with two people.




Before putting on the outer fairings I first had to put them together (they are so big they are not a single piece at this scale) and of course roll them.



Next I added the joining tabs (that connect the thrust structure to the USA ring) to the top of the thrust structure. They need to be cut into two to keep the gluing area to a manageable size



I have also put a second skin inner ring inside the bottom of the USA ring (eventually this will all be three layers thick (no photo)).

It is now time to rest the USA ring on top of the thrust structure. I have found that when joining two rings they need to have the same circumference to within less than 1mm otherwise the join will not be good. And so the moment of truth...



As you can see its getting tricky to get it all in shot!
These part are not glued, they are just resting so now I can get the outer fairings lined up. All I have to do now is think of the best way to actually glue these on.

It is starting to sink in this is going to be quite a big model and there are going to be some "logistical" challenges ahead.

[mbauer]

Wow, was hoping to find some updates after work today!

It truly is a gigantic build!

Thank you for the update.

Mike

[rifleman]

awesome wish you well with this monster build all the best

[colwyne]

I thought the space race was dead until I saw this

[Gibbo]

It's a beauty to behold, just love this thread

If you ever move house, I'd like to see the face on the LOW LOADER driver that has to move it.
True work of engineering
Rob

[peter taft]

Thanks for this eye opening update....Brilliant !

[JohnGay]

Originally Posted by dhanners

Has anyone mentioned this is gonna be a big model?

Keep up the great work!

From my calculations, a 1:24 scale Saturn V should stand 15 Ft 1.5 Inches tall.

[rifleman]

going to need a bigger house ???