Saturn 1B build in progress - fins attached (September 2019)
Semroc Saturn 1B Parts from the Kit
All the Saturn 1B kit parts.
The Estes Saturn 1B rocket is another model that I really wanted to have as a
kid, but never could justify spending the money. In those days, I launched everything
that I built, so I could not see spending a huge amount of my paper route money
only to take the risk of destruction due to the parachutes not deploying properly
or maybe an engine malfunction. I had launched enough rockets to know that the probability
of something going wrong was directly proportional to the cost and time spent building.
Instead, I stuck mostly with models that cost no more than about $3 (in 1960s-1970s
dollars).
This Saturn 1B model is next in my rocket building queue. The Saturn 1B was one
of the Saturn V's predecessors and was used as the launch vehicle for the first
few Apollo missions - manned and unmanned. It was a 2-stage rocket with a cluster
of 8 engines in the first stage.
After watching eBay auctions for the Estes Saturn 1B end north of $200, I pretty
much gave up hope of ever snagging one at a reasonable price. Estes stopped making
the kit years ago. Fortunately, the Semroc company is selling an identical clone
version that I can afford at around $60.
 
Building Instructions
Specifications: Price = $16.50
Length = 43.5" (110 cm)
Body Diameter = 3.938" (100 mm)
Weight = 9.9 oz (280 grams)
Saturn 1B build in progress - sandable primer sprayed on components
(June 2019)
Here is a list of my other rocket models.
Posted March 11, 2019
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