Aerobee build

[MarkB.]

OK Guys

I thought I'd do a build thread of the new Semroc deci-scale (1/10) Aerobee 150 and 300. I've got the use of the kitchen table for a couple more days.

The picture shows what we'll starting with, two wonderful kits up to Semroc's usual standards of high quality. The big Aerobee nose cone is so nice, I'd like to just stain it like furniture. There are some neat things and some not-so-neat things about both kits: the 300 includes the extra tube length for this particular version but it does not include the tapered section of the Sparrow upper stage. Both kits have the logo decal but not the similar dataplate decal. The 300 kit has extended conduits which my references show to be correct for one of the conduits but not all three of them. Nor is there a conduit for the Sparrow. Finally, I'm not a fan of joined body tubes as the joint is hard to conceal. I understand this was done for cost savings, but that's just my preference. We'll see how I do.

So am I going to build them stock? Well, yes and no. The sharp-eyed among you may notice some hand cut fins on the left side of the cutting matt. Those would be fins for a four-finned Aerobee 150A or in this case 300A. The four-finned versions were launched from Wallops Island. I am going to modify the 300 to a 300A version. I will use the Rockets of the World 1999 Supplement drawing as a reference. I am going to build the 150 as from the package, but I am going to add a payload section under the nose cone to model the round displayed at the New Mexico Space Museum .

As an aside, I'd love to see Semroc offer some laser-cut "A" fins as an alternative. There are some spectacularly painted A models like the florescent red and bronze with white fins Aerobee 170A (Aerobee 150A on a Nike booster).

[cjp]

How's the build comming along?I would like to see your progress as I have these on my future build list. :D

[MarkB.]

Sorry guys, life intervened.

I'll post some pictures tonight.

[foamy]

snip... Both kits have the logo decal but not the similar dataplate decal. ...

I was just at the Air and Space Museum last week to photograph the 150 and I got a good (I think) shot of the data plate. Also a nice shot of the old JPL logo/sticker. The 150 here also has the payload extension.

If you're interested in the plate or any other photos, I'd be glad to post them.

They also had a WAC Corporal which I took photos of as well. That and a bunch of other early rockets. The V2 they have there looks like it's been around the block a time or two. I don't think there's a flat piece of metal on it.

[sandman]

I was just at the Air and Space Museum last week to photograph the 150 and I got a good (I think) shot of the data plate. Also a nice shot of the old JPL logo/sticker. The 150 here also has the payload extension.

If you're interested in the plate or any other photos, I'd be glad to post them.

They also had a WAC Corporal which I took photos of as well. That and a bunch of other early rockets. The V2 they have there looks like it's been around the block a time or two. I don't think there's a flat piece of metal on it.

Yes! please post the data plate.

Do you have something for size reference with it?

[foamy]

I'll post it tonight or tomorrow. I don't have access to it at the moment.

I'm not sure about anything for a size reference—except it's size and location on the rocket if that would help. I'll post a photo. I'm pretty sure I took one like that.

[sandman]

I'll post it tonight or tomorrow. I don't have access to it at the moment.

I'm not sure about anything for a size reference—except it's size and location on the rocket if that would help. I'll post a photo. I'm pretty sure I took one like that.

If it's on the rocket I can use the diameter as size reference.

[tbzep]

I was just at the Air and Space Museum last week to photograph the 150 and I got a good (I think) shot of the data plate. Also a nice shot of the old JPL logo/sticker. The 150 here also has the payload extension.

If you're interested in the plate or any other photos, I'd be glad to post them.

They also had a WAC Corporal which I took photos of as well. That and a bunch of other early rockets. The V2 they have there looks like it's been around the block a time or two. I don't think there's a flat piece of metal on it.
Which A&S Museum are you near?

The V-2 in Huntsville is dented between each and every rib/ring and stringer. If you look at some good quality video or photos of them during WWII, you can see that they were all pretty dinged up even then.

[Doug Sams]

The V-2 in Huntsville is dented between each and every rib/ring and stringer. If you look at some good quality video or photos of them during WWII, you can see that they were all pretty dinged up even then.I think all that metal was shaped using hammering by slave laborers. I know artisans can hammer a piece of metal to perfection, but it's obvious the prisoners weren't doing high quality artwork :)

Doug

.

[foamy]

Which A&S Museum are you near?.
The A&S in downtown DC.

The V-2 in Huntsville is dented between each and every rib/ring and stringer. If you look at some good quality video or photos of them during WWII, you can see that they were all pretty dinged up even then.
This one is the same way. I thought they'd gotten a hold of one that had seen some travel 'in. Good to know.

[tbzep]

The A&S in downtown DC.


Oh....THE A&S Museum. :cool:

[MarkB.]

Yeah, I've seen three V-2s and pieces of a fourth and they all have that beat up appearance up close. They weren't supposed to last 70 years . . . .

Note that the National Air and Space museum chickened out on the V-2 and put a "see-through panel" where the picture of the naked woman in nylons should be.

I'd love to see the dataplate for the Aerobee. The one I've seen is about the same width as the Aerojet decal but shorter. One of my beefs with the Semroc kit is that it should include the data plate decal. I have a picture of the one at the New Mexico Space Museum but the lighting and the angle are bad.

[foamy]

Okay, wish I had a better camera and/or take better photos
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020938.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020937.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020946.jpg

[foamy]

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020949.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020948.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020940.jpg

[foamy]

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020943.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020934.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/P1020936.jpg

[sandman]

Those pictures are perfect!

Thanks!

Do you have more pics of the booster?

[MarkB.]

Foamy!

Those pictures are awesome! Its great to see a clean and shiny Aerobee. The one that is outside at the NMSM has weathered greatly; its the one you see in ads for US Explosive Storage in Sport Rocketry. NMSM also has one inside in better shape but its hard to take pictures of it.


Sandman, if you can turn Foamy's pictures into decals I need two sets . . . .

[foamy]

Do you have more pics of the booster?

I'll have a look this evening. If not, I can always run over there tomorrow. The problem is they've locked the gate to get down in there, so everything has to be shot from that angle, Which is too bad really, as you used to be able to go down there. The colors on the conduits and payload section are pretty neat.

I'll also post some of the WAC Corporal in a separate thread. Though, truly, it's not a very inspiring paint job (white instead of the #5 round's yellow). There are some details that a scale perfectionist may find interesting.

[cjp]

Have you finished your kits yet? :D

[MarkB.]

No, but hope springs eternal . . . . .


Seriously, I'm sanding the fins (all seven) - the conduits are built and the engine mounts and baffles are in. Pictures this weekend.

And Sandman, for the 300A (four fins) you need to add the "A" to other side of "150". The only difference between the "A" in "Aerobee" and the "A" at the end of "150" is that the cross in the "A" protrudes an equal amount from the sides, that is, just a little bit. Put another way the "A" at the end doesn't have a big flourish on the the left side.

Awe heck, look at foamy's picture and you'll see what mean

[sandman]

And Sandman, for the 300A (four fins) you need to add the "A" to other side of "150". The only difference between the "A" in "Aerobee" and the "A" at the end of "150" is that the cross in the "A" protrudes an equal amount from the sides, that is, just a little bit. Put another way the "A" at the end doesn't have a big flourish on the the left side.

Awe heck, look at foamy's picture and you'll see what mean

Give me some time, I have a lot of things in my que. No less than 4 custom nose cone jobs and a few other decal requests.

The Aerobee decals have to be completely redone. The lettering and fonts are all wrong.

[foamy]

Sandman, I don't have any more photos of the booster and I left my camera on the table when I left this morning.

I'm going to call the museum next Monday and see if I can get an escort to let me down into the well to get some shots of the booster. It can't hurt to try.

That and I find I have to get a "front" shot of the top half of the rocket. There's a NASA sticker above the Goddard one and a sticker I can't get close enough to identify over that, on the nose cone. May as well get it all if I can.

Hmmm... just thinking, we have a heck of a camera in the dept. here. Perhaps they'll let me take it for a walk this afternoon. May check on that.

Smithsonian photo
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/Aerobee150tall.jpg http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee215/Savaje/Rockets/150top.jpg