On TRF a post was made about the quality of the embossed pieces of the Semroc Mars Lander.
I noticed the embossed lines weren't as defined as my original Estes Mars Lander but it wasn't a deal breaker.
I would assume the Estes embossing was done using a combination of heat and pressure. This gave slightly deeper, more defined lines. The Semroc re-issue kit may have used a simpler pressure embossing. This is just a guess on my part. Years back I worked in a print shop and saw some heat embossing done.
The only place where the embossed lines totally disappeared was on the landing pads. The thin band in the center "sandwich" did have lines until glue was applied it was wrapped.
I re-embossed the lines using a small jeweler's flat screwdriver.
I thought a few of the TRF posts were harsh. I applaud Semroc for bringing back such a complicated kit.
Hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteHave you done this build previously on the blog? Searched the archives but nada. Would REALLY like to see this done here, since I have this in my build pile.
+1 on a blog build.
ReplyDeleteTo BAR and Anonymous,
DeleteI do't have a online review on this one. I built it probably back in 2007 before I started posting builds on EMRR, TRF then here.
It's a detailed build and I don't have a real need for another one on the shelf. (Unless someone wants to commission me to build it for them!) After reading some of the flight results on EMRR I would be afraid to fly it. I don't think the C6-3 engines have the Oomph they used to.
This is on my to buy and build list someday. If I am successful with the Semroc Saturn 1B I am working on now, I can build anything. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Metal,
DeleteThat is true, if you can build the Estes/Semroc Saturn 1B you probably could build anything! (Especially if you tackle the capsule and tower!)
I finally realized those landing pads were copied from the lunar Surveyors, and that little bit of embossed decoration was meant to mimic the pad's aluminum honeycomb structure.
ReplyDeleteHi Lonnie,
DeleteI never thought about that but you are right! Estes took a lot of inspiration from NASA and Sci-Fi designs.
I do vaguely recall there was a "Martin Marietta" marking in the decal sheet for the Mars Lander.
DeleteThe shape of the Mars Lander does remind me of the Douglas SASSTO and ROMBUS designs.
http://www.astronautix.com/s/sassto.html
http://www.astronautix.com/r/rombus.html
I do remember in the Mission to Mars attraction at Disneyland had in a display area (between the waiting room and the "control center") there was a model that resembled the Douglas ROMBUS rocket (and "live camera" footage of the rocket you were supposedly boarding was the same type of rocket).
On a side note -- the K-7 space station that appeared in the Star Trek episode "Trouble with Tribbles" was apparently built utilizing part of a display model from Douglas for a space station concept ("Mexican hat" space station).
Hi Naoto,
DeleteThere was a Martin Marietta decal on the original Mars Lander decal sheet - http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-43x.jpg
Regarding the SASSTO and ROMBUS designs, I could see where Estes used many sources like that to influence the Mars Lander design.
I remember the Mission to Mars (first as the Mission to the Moon) attraction at Disneyland. That
"live" footage showed a very fat rocket on the pad. I always thought it looked goofy but had to reflect the round room you sat in for the ride.
There was a Martin Marietta decal on the original Mars Lander decal sheet - http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/k-43x.jpg
I'll have to pay more attention the next time the Star Trek Tribble episode plays.
speaking of fat and stubby rocket -- Chrysler SERV
Deletehttps://falsesteps.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/servmurp-chryslers-space-truck/
A few more Philip Bono designs:
http://www.astronautix.com/p/pegasusvtovl.html
http://www.astronautix.com/h/hyperionssto.html
http://www.astronautix.com/i/ithacus.html
http://www.astronautix.com/p/projectdeimos.html
Another stubby rocket concept
http://www.astronautix.com/k/kankohmaru.html
Douglas inflatable space station concept
http://www.projectrho.com/SSC/station.html
Hi Naoto,
DeleteThanks for the links - fun stuff!
On the Chrysler SERV - the personnel module is definitely the Mars lander nose cone!
Randy at Semroc mention a ML redesign for 2018 to 24mm on TRF
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
DeleteAfter seeing a few of Mars Landers fly with C6-3 engines, a 24mm upgrade would be a good thing. When the kit first came out, Estes recommended the B4-2 and B6-2!
Hopefully AT can get the 18mm D composites to market...
DeleteCheers
There are a couple of places where you can still get the old Aerotech/Quest 18mm composite D motors:
Delete1. Belleville Wholesale Hobbies has some Quest SU D's.
2. Erockets has Aerotech SU D's as well as 18mm RMS, if you have the casing.
Cheers.
Hi Phillip,
DeleteYep, we are all waiting on the composite 18mm engines. I'm thinking it'll happen, AT has too much invested to drop the idea.
To BAR,
DeleteI visited the Belleville website and saw the AT D21-3 engine. I wonder why they list them as a Quest product?
That AT D21-4 could also be a good match for the Mars Lander. Thanks for the links!
I actually flew mine on a B6-2 back in 1973. I think I could have thrown it higher, but it did get the chute out (barely.) - MikeC
ReplyDelete