I saw a post on FB by eRockets last night stating that Estes is releasing a Saturn 1B in the fall. Didn't say what scale though.

Can anyone confirm?

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Scott D. Hansen
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WOOSH NAR Section #558

I saw that too. Did they (Estes) announce it? Seems like it would have
made more of a buzz if they did.

Based on the printed parts we've seen already, it will be a 1/100 kit.

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I love sanding.

There have been a few rumors about the 1:100 coming back. I bought the plastic SLA part from Estes last year for my older Saturn kits, and the part has a shock cord anchor. Looks like something you would include for a future release of a new 1B.

But, just me speculating ...

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

No, I think you are right on the money with the reason for the eyelet speculation.

That is exactly what I thought when I first saw an image of that SLA when the new Saturn V was released. I’d say a 1/100 Saturn 1b release is basically guaranteed at this point, if issues with China manufacturing re: the current virus scare don’t unduly impact things.

The thing about that SLA that I DON’T like is the ‘over scaling’ of the external stringer structure details. That seems to be somewhat rooted in the Apogee Saturn 1b kit (and maybe their Saturn V kitt, too). At least that is where I first started seeing it crop up was in photos of the Apogee Saturn 1b.

The issue is that, while those details are there, they are VERY FAINT even when looking at a REAL one in person. As molded into the plastic SLA, those details would probably equate to external stringer ‘lines’ on a real SLA that are a couple of inches wide and ‘sticking up’ nearly the same amount. Those details are NO WHERE that size. It ‘looks’ neat maybe, but it is not accurate.

What IS visible on a real SLA are the four ‘hinge point’ for the panels along the one *horizontal* separation plane on the lower part of the SLA and, somewhat more faintly, the four *vertical* panel separation lines. There are various other minor details that are also on the SLA and they should be molded to the extent they can be at 1/100 scale, but that whole myriad ‘crosshatched’ vertical and horizontal panel structure lines is just overdone.

Earl

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Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Good point. I forgot about the picture in the Estes conference room, from Vern’s birthday. A Saturn 1B with yellow-colored 3D parts was on the table behind everyone.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Oh, I forgot! One of the biggest Estes announcements at NARCON was that Estes will be releasing NEW IGNITERS ("starters") !!!!!

No details as to when, but they are under development and will be coming.

That’s encouraging! For the newer starters, I remove the clear dip (soak them in water for a minute or so), and then dip in NC lacquer. I have not had a single failure on re-dipped starters. I also do this for older igniters, just because it toughens them, besides giving them a little hotter burn.

If the new igniters have longer leads, that would be a welcome change. It would make hooking up clusters easier.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

A few other companies announced new products at NARCON 2020.

Quest announced that new 18mm Q-Jet motors will be released featuring White Lightning propellant.

These motors will have a higher total impulse and average thrust.
The D20 will be about 14-15 N-sec.

Cool.

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Bob
S.A.M. # 0014

An 18mm D20 — very cool, indeed!

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp