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Semroc Saturn 1B Rocket

Four quadrants of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket - Airplanes and Rockets

All four quadrants of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket kit. Note difference in color patterns on the eight fins. Completed August 2, 2024.

4-engine cluster of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket - Airplanes and Rockets

Business and of the Semroc Saturn 1B model rocket. 

Saturn 1B build in progress - fins attached (September 2019) - Airplanes and Rockets

Saturn 1B build in progress - fins attached (September 2019)

Semroc Saturn 1B Kit Parts - Airplanes and Rockets

Semroc Saturn 1B Parts from the Kit

All the Saturn 1B kit parts - Airplanes and Rockets

All the Saturn 1B kit parts.

 

 

Supermodel Melanie with Estes Semroc Saturn 1-B - Airplanes and RocketsThe 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.

Estes 1971 Model Rocketry Catalog - Pages 42 & 43Estes Saturn V building instructions 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) - Airplanes and Rockets

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

About Airplanes & Rockets 

Kirt Blattenberger, Webmaster - Airplanes and RocketsKirt Blattenberger

Carpe Diem! (Seize the Day!)

Even during the busiest times of my life I have endeavored to maintain some form of model building activity. This site has been created to help me chronicle my journey through a lifelong involvement in model aviation, which all began in Mayo, MD ...

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