Estes Saturn V upgrade kits
 

Good evening ladies and gents

Am interested to hear from anybody who has had any experience with the 3x24mm upgrade kit for the Estes Saturn V from Commonwealth Rocketry.

Thanks in advance

Stephen

They work well! I would suggest that you upgrade the fins to the moldin' oldies renditions available from Sirius Rocketry. Use Epoxy.
You'll be glad you did when that first stage comes down under 'chute and lands on those.

Great peformance. Remember to add weight to the nose. Sorry, I don't remember how much to use...

Allen

We did our own http://www.sears572.com/supersaturnv.htm (7 page build article) but they have a good reputation.

Allen is correct about the fins, I suggest the resin fins from Sirius http://www.siriusrocketry.com/sirius00.htm



Randy
www.vernarockets.com

Appreciate the replies, thanks gents.

After much deliberation, and research, I've started construction of Stage Three.

With a background in scale model aircraft following instructions should be easy, right?

I'm waiting for MMT's and associated building supplies and I plan to couple the upper stage with five various lower stages (subject to finances and weather conditions)

All components are stock, with the exception of the lower third stage centering ring.

This has been replaced with 0.030" styrene sheet to provide additional rigidity to the third stage coupler during the recovery phase.

Given that I intend to fly this on a minimum of three motors, I'm prepared (at this stage) to accept the 2g weight increase.

It doesn't exactly fall together, but am enjoying the challenge of working with a different medium.

Hope to have some new progress shots shortly

Regards

Stephen

Quick reference guide
 

Dedicated to all those who have built her, and those yet to build her.

Please find attached a consolidated list of S-IVB dimensions.

These figures were originally compiled by individuals and organisations with far more knowledge than I could ever expect to accumulate in one lifetime.

While I have taken every precaution to ensure these figures are correct, I accept full responsibility for any discrepancy that occurs between these figures and the parent document.

Please feel free to contact with me with any additions and/or corrections.

Acknowledgements

Duncan , J 1997, 'The Apollo Saturn Reference Page' , http://www.apollosaturn.com/stage3.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1969, 'Saturn V Flight Manual SA 507, http://history.nasa.gov/ap12fj/pdf/...lightmanual.pdf

Leslie, J 2012, 'The Lower Hudson Valley
Paper Model E-Gift Shop'',
http://jleslie48.com/0206pr/saturn5allclean2.jpg

I just received my Estes Saturn V and would like to know more about these up grade kits as well as more information and links please.
Thanks
Jeff

I looked on Commonwealth Rocketry do they still make the kit or did I just not find it?
Thanks
Jeff

Saturn V upgrade kits
 

Hi Jeff,

As of 28 Jul 13, the following upgrade kits were still available:

Qty. 1 5 engine cluster

Qty. 5 29mm

Qty. 5 Penultimate


Regards

Stephen

What is a Penultimate? I sent them a email but did not hear back. On the cluster and 29mm engine up grade what all do you have to do as far as stability?
Thanks
Jeff

Saturn V upgrade kits
 

The kit itself comprises the following items:

* 6 x heavy duty tube couplers
* 1 x 29mm engine mount
* heavy duty fiber and plywood centering rings
* easy flow parachute baffle system
* PMR motor retention system
* 1 x 36" military grade parachute
* Kevlar shock cord

and allows you to fly your Saturn V (2010 version) on a variety of motors up to, and including, a G.

As far as the cluster and the 29mm kits go, I'm in unfamiliar territory.

You'll find a lot of good articles on line, and I'll be posting some more data when Rocksim arrives.