Coming up - Estes #1969 Saturn V Build

Here's we go again!
I just got some emails from Estes, they want me to build a new #1969 Saturn V!
The model is already in distribution so I can do the build here on the blog.

I've sent out plenty of the older #2157 Saturn V build book to blog followers. Most of that build still applies, but the new version has some updates. It's time for a new, detailed build.

I've already finished two models for Estes, they will be featured here after they go into general distribution. After that, Estes wants three other models built - Whew!

Mistake in Estes #1969 Saturn V Inter Stage Wrap? Part 2

Kylie Gamble posted on Facebook:

"Update, on the issue of the inter stage wrap being molded incorrectly. Estes told me to cut the bottom line of the wrap and rotate the cut bottom so the tunnels line up. The best John Boren Estes R and D man could tell me. Still not quite correct but will have to do."

Some (nameless) builders went overboard with their responses - 
"Why can't F-ING Estes rockets company do it, and do it right the first time."

My thoughts in italic:
Wow - you should count your lucky stars there is even a new Saturn V kit. 
It's an easy fix, easier than cutting out the vacu-form wraps themselves. On a revised, complex production like this you might expect adjustments. Every rocket kit I've built from easy to complex has required cutting, sanding and fitting of the parts. 
Hold that "F-ing Estes" comment until you've produced and sold a few thousand scale kits. 

"Given the historical importance of this rocket, plus it being marketed for the 50th anniversary, I'm ashamed Estes didn't double check everything like this. Yeah it's no big deal in terms of flying but when it's marketed as the limited edition 50th anniversary kit, it is." 

You're ashamed? Given the historical importance - changes were made. The Illage rockets are Apollo 11 correct now, four instead of eight. The vacu-form details are better. The decals have been corrected. The tower is easier to assemble. There's that new LEM Shroud. No more vacuform fins! 
Estes R&D has made the build much easier.

Evan Patrekis said it best: "I've dealt with far worse!!"
You and me both!

Mistake in Estes #1969 Saturn V Inter Stage Wrap? Part 1

On the NAR Facebook page, Jay M. Chladek may have found an error -
If the wraps are aligned (as molded) and shown in the instructions, the vertical half round wood tunnels may not line up between the Inter Tank and Inter Stage vacu-form wrap locations!

"ALERT: There is an error with the S-1C to S-II wrap as designed by Estes. The details on the S-1C part of the main wrap are clocked over by one position. The four sectors on the Saturn V are labeled Positions I, II III and IV. The S-II and Inter Stage part of the wrap from left to right starting at the seam are Positions II, III, IV and I. Unfortunately the details on the S-IC part of the wrap from left to right are Positions I, II, III, and IV. To fix that, I had to cut the S-II part of the wrap off the model after I had applied it! But I got it fixed and it didn't require much repair (thank goodness)."

"This is a scan from the instruction sheet showing the wrap as it appears in the kit. The problem isn't evident until you apply the wrap. If the modification is not made, it is amplified when the lower S-IC wraps are added as they help to align the two tunnel rails. If you don't reposition the wrap, you now have a tunnel rail going down the gantry swing arm side of the rocket and the umbilical port on the middle S-IC wrap is now sitting in a completely wrong sector."

"Here is the fix. It is easy to do, especially if you haven't glued the wrap on yet. Cut the wrap at the S-IC to Interstage seam, or at the seam below it (which I did to keep from damaging the ullage motor fairings). Then reposition the S-IC part of the wrap. If you do it right, the swing arm umbilical at the top of the S-1C should be perfectly centered directly under the access door on the interstage area. If done properly, everything below should align correctly on the shifted wrap seam while everything above should still align properly on the original wrap seam positions from the S-II on up (with the minor exception of the SII to S-IVB transition which should have the molded in access door also aligning with the swing arms/umbilical attachments as well). 

I contacted Estes about the problem and suggested they make an addendum to the instruction sheet. Whether they will or not remains to be seen. But the fix works and the rocket will be more accurate when done."

I haven't built the new #1969 Saturn V kit so I can't verify the alignment. It sounds like Mr. Chladek found the error and made the correction after noticing the tunnel pencil lines didn't line up! 

The #1969 Saturn V kit instructions are now posted on the Estes website: CLICK HERE

Go to pages 7 and 9 (right side of PDF) to see the tunnels and how they should vertically line up with the molded wrap tunnel locations.

On the left - It looks like they corrected the names on the scale kits page.

Ooops!

Dave Combs posted this on the NAR Facebook page:

"And this is why Estes hires a new proofreader."
This is from the new Saturn V instructions. It's a little hard to read but there are some misplaced names here.

New Estes Saturn V, #1969 Pictures

Kevin Foss posted some pictures on the NAR Facebook page:

Son of a gun - 

The 1/100th scale Lunar Module is the old Revell kit!

A closeup showing the detail on the new blow-molded upper transition.

Sorry, Kevin didn't post any pictures of the new vacu-form wraps. The rest of the kit looks like it did before. I know there are other changes.

Estes Saturn V "BONUS" Revealed

I thought it would be a poster -
On the Estes website yesterday, click on the number "3" in the main slide show window: CLICK HERE

New Estes Saturn V Picture

On YORF, John Boren posted some information about the new #1969 Estes Saturn V:

"The only thing that is the same on this kit from the last one are Most of the body tubes and the injection molded fins. EVERYTHING PLASTIC is new. Read the description of the kit on the Estes Web Site."

Here's part of the most recent Estes ad from Sport Rocketry magazine. At first glance I thought it was the same Saturn V picture they have used in the past, but this is new - 

You can make out more additional details in the upper LEM adapter transition section. 

Estes is still using the older picture build on the "Coming Soon" page.

Estes is offering some BLACK FRIDAY Specials - CLICK HERE

New Rocket Room Picture

I have one room in my home for rockets and rocket supplies. All of the Odd'l Rockets parts are stored there.
The walls have been bare since the room was remodeled two years ago.

I found and bought an original Estes ad on Ebay. This is the same ad I saw in 1969. I sent for the catalog after paging through a classmates catalog in my eight grade home room.
Estes ran out of the 1969 catalogs and sent out Xerox copies, reduced images of the pages.

The magazine ad brought back memories and will fill up some empty space on the rocket room wall.

Saturn V Kit Fins????

A posted question from James Duffy on TRF:
"Can anyone confirm that the rumored new injection-molded fins became a reality? The instruction sheet posted elsewhere in this thread appears to be from an earlier release, and makes no reference to the new parts."

James
______________________________________________________________

Answer from Estes:
James,
"Yes there are new injection molded fins in this release of the kit." 

John Boren
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And the response from rocket building 
nerds around the world . . .