Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 24, Body Wraps

The backs of the body wraps got a shot of adhesive spray while lightly held down on masking tape.

Here's both sides of the upper body with the wraps in place.

Turned around - The upper #1 wrap was short and didn't match up.

The adapter wrap needed a cardstock "shim" around the bottom for a better fit.

This is the back side of the wrap ready for a shot of adhesive spray.

I made a small patch out of a scan print.

It's darker than the original kit wrap print but works in a pinch.

Not perfect, but better than the gap.

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 23, Silver Fairing Paint

I used Scotch tape masks.

Scotch tape isn't very flexible - so the only way to get the curved line is to set down a piece of tape, then draw an arc with a wide point Sharpie. Wipe off the excess ink with a paper towel.

Cut a smooth arc thru the middle of the ink line.

Here I'm lifting the masking strip off my cutting glass.

On the left, the Scotch tape mask is in place for the silver spray.

On the right, the rest of the body is masked off.

Seal the tape edge with a Q-tip.

It's softer than a fingernail.

Here's the silver paint after the tape was pulled.

I got some good, sharp lines.

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 22, Fixing The Black Paint

I visually centered the mask line between the fairings. 

But - two of the black edge ended up to the right of center.

I used an old trick - 

On the left, a fine point Sharpie was sued to draw a new border line.

On the right, the white area was filled in with a wider point Sharpie. 

Perfect? No. But, it beats re-masking and spraying again.  

Here's how the #7 wrap will fit between the fairings. It will require some trimming to fit into the fairing fillet area.

There is some slight yellow discoloration in the old print.

Note the mask line at fin slot area looks rough. There is still a strip of masking tape in the slot to keep out the paint.

Here the fin slot tape strips have been removed. 

That bit of black above the mid point mask will be covered by the #6 wrap.

The rough mask line around the fairing will be covered with silver paint.

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 21, Painting The Lower Body

The instructions imply that the model is painted after the wraps are glued on. 

The masking tape could easily tear and lift the paper wraps! 

I decided to paint the lower black rectangle roll patterns before gluing on the paper wraps.

On the left, the white areas are masked off for the black spray.

On the right, the lower fairing is masked for the silver to be added later.

The upper body is masked and beneath the body so no paint can get into the engine mount area.

The tape is lifted and the black areas remain. I will have some touch ups to do!

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 20, Fitting The Wraps

As usual,

I scanned the wrap sheet to have some backups.

The #1 wrap doesn't meet up around the short BT-52 tube!

I did pre-paint the tube. I know that does add to the outside diameter and could effect the fit.

But, wrap #4 does fit and the ends meet around the BT-60 main tube. 

This tube was also seam filled and painted white.

The #2 wrap didn't match up when wrapped around the balsa adapter.

The instructions do say: "Sand the balsa until the wrap fits perfectly."

I had to sand off the paint and into the filler to get a close fit.

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 19, The Structural Skirt

I had scanned and printed extras on 110 lb. stock. Good thing I did!

The structural skirt is small and difficult to cut out and form. It took three tries to get a decent piece.

The first try was cut out with scissors, that inside arc cut was too small. The next two skirts were cut using a new blade knife.

The larger outside arc was cut with scissors.

Any high points were rounded off with 400 grit on the block.

A sharped point dowel was used to form the skirt before gluing.

Using very little glue, the tab was held shut with smooth tweezers.

The skirt was slid down onto the top of the the tower.

The seam line was rotated over the one corner of the tower to be less noticeable.

Estes Semi-Scale Saturn V, Kit #K-39, Part 18, The "Tower"

I'd recommend embossing fold lines before cutting out the tower.

I used the tip of a non serrated butter knife and straightedge to "line" the folds.

Form the tower into a box shape.

Make the folds sharp.

It takes very little glue to adhere the glue tab.

Hold the joint firm with tweezers as the glue dries.

The tower is slide down over the escape motor body.

Next up - the structural skirt.