Der Saturn Max

[Trident]

I have not posted in awhile. But, I have been busy building rockets! Unfortunately, not much flying since last Fall either due to bad weather (if it’s not been too cold, we have had fire bans at many launch sites in Colorado).


But enough off topic stuff, I am working on a crazy makeover, converting my old Estes Saturn V into a ...

Der Saturn Max

I owe a big thank you to Verna, since she helped me with a paper transition for my old and beat-up, dusty Estes Saturn V. It had been sitting for over 20 years. I really thought it would not look good enough in its standard livery, so what to do with it? Give it a Der Red Max makeover!

Weather got bad, and I did not finish painting, but here it is, nearly done. After painting, it will get some Stickershock Red Max decals. The nose cone is a “DRM-shaped” balsa turning from my lathe.

I plan to do the maiden flight at NARAM-60 in August, in Pueblo.

Anyone here going?

[Rocket Babe]

I'll be looking forward to the photos! Good luck!

[Trident]

almost inspires me to start on my SAT V

You must! Since the 50th anniversary is just over a year away, you have loads of time to get it done for that commemorative launch.

By the way, I swear by a Tamiya tape. I had no issues masking for all the black roll patterns, even taping over corrugated panels.
You can get it at Hobby Lobby. It’s expensive, but if you never get leakage, it’s really not expensive. And you can use the 40% off coupon, assuming you are cheap, like me!

[Rocket Babe]

Lee I made Der Saturn Max my Photo Of The Month for September.

You can see it here http://www.vernarockets.com/id17.html

It will be there until October 1st.

[Commander]

Congratulations Lee

You do know she's never going to stop pestering you till you launch as a cluster though, right?

[Trident]

Verna,

Thanks for the special recognition of the Der Saturn Max. Actually, this is a standard build, I just beefed up the motor retention. I always planned to fly on the 24/40 RMS hardware. But ...
It could be a simple addition to add 4 more motors, either 13mm or 18mm. That nose cone is surely heavy enough to be stable, but some nose weight could easily be added in the BT-80 at the top.
My big goal now is to paint my Estes Saturn 1B, and build another Estes Saturn V, to fly next July to commemorate Apollo 11’s 50th anniversary.

[Rocket Babe]

I wouldn't think you'd need much weight for just four additional 18mm's. Our 3 stage 11 engine Saturn V Bad Girl didn't take anymore weight than Rocket babe with a core D and 4 C's.