I never understood how Estes expected anybody to draw these lines and details on the escape motor assembly. Both Estes and Semroc Apollo Capsule instructions suggest this trim. I have plenty of experience using Rapidograph pens and don't know how to pull this off. Straight lines around curved surfaces are very difficult.
Here's a screen grab of the decals I drew up for the trim lines.
If you would like a copy of the decals to print your own, Patreon members can email me at:
oddlrockets@bellsouth.net
and request the Saturn 1B Escape Tower Decals.
I'll send it right out!
The decal sheet got three coats of Krylon UV Clear.
Here's how to cut the decal to prevent tearing. The inside corners are rounded. The top is cut out so it won't overlap the nose cone tip.
For an easier transfer I cut off the lower wrap for a second application.
The top and lines below the pitch control motor (upper circle) is applied first.
The lower section with the jettison motor (oval) and lines are applied second. EDIT: Add a second jettison motor (oval) to the opposite side. Cut it from one of the extras on the decal sheet.
The long vertical lines decal goes on last.
This is one of those rare home print decals that really worked well.
I did have to make some adjustments and fixed the decal PDF.
Build time this post: 2 hour, 00 minutes
Total build time so far: 17 hours, 55 minutes
Excellent. Turned out great!
ReplyDeleteIf I'm not mistaken, the jettison motor had two nozzles (one on each side).
ReplyDeletehttps://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM15_Launch_Escape_Subsystem_pp137-146.pdf
You are right Naoto -
DeleteI did put a second nozzle on the other side, it's just not shown in the picture.
There are plenty of extra nozzles on the decal sheet print. It would be difficult to draw halve nozzles and the middle joint would be obvious. I'll edit this post and the PDF to mention the extra nozzle on the opposite side.
It might be a good idea to make it clear that the jettison motor had two nozzles, but the pitchy control one only had one.
DeleteI did take a look at a scan of the original instructions -- it didn't mention that the jettison motor had two nozzles. It does make me wonder how many folks may have put only one nozzle there (if at all) in their builds. Can't really fault them for that -- back then there was no Internet where you could easily look up this information.
The 1:48 scale plastic kit from Revell probably would've made a decent reference (I believe it dates to around 1967 -- though being based on Block I configuration, it wouldn't completely accurate as a depiction of an actual flight article). Given the size of that kit, I'd guess it may not have been an inexpensive kit. I recall hearing about an article published in a magazine that gave some instructions on how to build a Saturn rocket (out of something like Bristol board or posterboard) for that plastic model -- if I'm not mistaken, the result would be nearly 8 feet tall!
I don't recall if the instructions for the Revell model mentioned that it didn't fully depict the boost protective cover for the command module. One of the features that I did like about that kit was that you can detach and re-attach various parts so that various steps during a mission could be depicted.
DeleteI’m very impressed with your patience on the escape tower construction! It looks great.
ReplyDeleteI bought my Semroc Saturn 1B a few years ago, briefly considered building the tower, and then placed an order for the Apogee Apollo Capsule kit for it. :-)