Cut the fairings off the vacuform sheet and leave 1/16" all the way around.Before cutting off the bottom ledge, trace over the edge with a pencil. It's easier to see the line instead of just blindly cutting.
The cut was made just to the outside of the pencil line. Just like the fins, I'd rather cut wide then sand to the correct size.
This plastic is thin, make a few light passes with your knife.
As it turned out, my roll of masking tape was just about the right diameter to sand a smooth arc at the rear of the fairing.
That's 220 grit sandpaper forming the smooth arc.
Check the fit often against the open area of the BT-101 body tube.
Time spent on build: 1:00 Cut and shape fairings
Total time on build so far: 28:30
I have been building my own Saturn V and I ran across your blog today in a google search. I really appreciate all of the helpful tips. I am currently shaping and installing the fairings and can't wait to see the next set of pictures showing how in the world to glue these things on. The space seems to be so tight that the flashing won't fit.
ReplyDeleteHi nbarthelemy!
ReplyDeleteYou have to sand down the fairings until you can push them far enough forward so that the flat back is even with the rear of the tube.
The round front of the fairing will overhang the front of the rear wrap a bit. check out the box picture.
You'll probably sand off more of the fairing than you would think you should. Think of the "triangle" getting smaller with more and more sanding.
The fairing sides have to fit within the triangular recessed area on the rear wrap.
Thanks for reading - lots more Saturn stuff on the way.
Chris