All four quadrants of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket kit.
Note difference in color patterns on the eight fins. Completed August 2, 2024.
Business and of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket.
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 just didn't have 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 has long been in my rocket building queue, but decade passed
before I felt justified spending the money and time to buy and build one. 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 $400, 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. This turned out being a five years project,
due to many other time-consuming life chores.
I substituted solid balsa fins for the built-up paper version in the kit, but
did use the paper wrap for the body tube taper area and for the capsule. Paint was
spray can Rustoleum enamel for the white base coat and the black trim. The entire
trim area was masked off and painted at the same time. For painting between the
eight small fuel tubes, I cut a 1/4" slit in a piece of cardboard and sprayed through
it in order to prevent a thick coat of paint from accumulating everywhere while
getting enough in the deep slots. After an initial two light coats through the cardboard
slits, two more coats were applied over the entire area. It worked perfectly, with
no run or thin areas.
 
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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