I am starting the mars lander. Always wanted to, thought I might, someday will, since I first saw one in the 1973 catalog.

Several months ago I picked up a black box for fifty bucks which I believe to be from 1975 (based on what else I bought with it). I did an inventory and was pleased to find it complete and in what appears to be great buildable condition. The only thing I had to replace (so far) was the nose cone which was about 2/3 disintegrated. No problem thanks to the fine folks at Semroc (I'm the guy who bought all the parts for a screamer plus one mars lander nose cone, bet THAT had them scratching their heads).

So.....any quick tips on pitfalls, things that may have to be replaced, links to know about, etc.? I have never built anything over a skill 3 but its something I gotta do. Thanks!

There's a good chance your decals will disintegrate when you put them in water. Get some Microscale Liquid Decal Film and coat them first. If the decals are yellowed, tape them to the window facing the sun for a few days to let the sun bleach out the yellow. Do that before using the decal film.

You will also need some new rubber bands or possibly modify it to use springs instead. I built mine so that I could remove the bottom and replace rubber bands as needed.

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I love sanding.

+1 to that. If your decals disintegrate before your eyes, and after you say bad words, Sandman has the decals.

A detailed procedure for making your Mars Lander "serviceable" is in the May/June 2008 issue of Sport Rocketry magazine.

Post pictures!

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Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Be real careful about spraying film on old decals, theres a chance that they may wrinkle up on you after spraying it on. I would consider making a scan of the decals and print them on testors decal paper which is a waterslide paper. Works great!

All the previous tips are great.
The replaceable rubber band idea is a good one. I didn't think about that. I built my Semroc version stock.

The only thing I would recommend is to fill the balsa legs and housings before gluing it all together. It'd be impossible to get filler in there with all the cardstock trim pieces on top of it.

I filled the dowel seams at the trailing edges of the legs.

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Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

AND, if you build it serviceable, you can paint it without the legs attached!

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

I built mine to be able to service the rubber bands, but not the hinge points. The legs are permanently hinged so I painted them before assembly.

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I love sanding.

My guess is that the decals will be the cheapest by far from Semroc at $3.50 for the full set.
I don't think anyone will be less than at least double that.
The large "meatball" decal will read "Semroc Mars Lander" instead of "Estes Mars Lander" though.
If this detail is bothersome to you, order the decals from Sandman (Excelsior Decals) or from Tango Papa if they must say "Estes" on the mentioned decal, but expect to pay 2 to 3 times the price.
They are $7 from Excelsior and $12 from Tango Papa.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

I would also consider using the 24mm motor mount in case you build it heavy.

Thanks for great tips......

I did order a new set of shock bands and the Semroc decals (and a few other things while I was there)