Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review * Man in Space USA Manned Rockets 1:200 Scale AMT Model Kit #AMT700 Review (Part 2)

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1 Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review * Man in Space USA Manned Rockets 1:200 Scale AMT Model Kit #AMT700 Review (Part 2) Review and Photos by Robert Byrnes Apollo Saturn V: The first stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle starts the Apollo spacecraft, with three astronauts aboard., on the journey to the moon. The second and third stages place the spacecraft in earth orbit and on the trajectory to the moon. The Apollo program is directed by NASA s office of Manned Space Flight. The Marshall Center is providing the Saturn launch vehicles. The Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston is providing the three separate modules of the spacecraft, selecting and training astronauts, and will operate the Mission Control Center. The Kennedy Space Center in Florida will launch the astronauts on their epic flight. When fully operational, the Saturn V will be able to launch into orbit more than a quarter million pounds. The total orbiting tonnage in the lunar mission will be about 280,000 pounds. This includes the weight of the third stage and instrument unit section. The fully fueled and loaded Apollo Spacecraft, in its lunar mission configuration, will weigh about 95,000 pounds. The Saturn V, with its Apollo payload, is 365 feet tall. Physical and performance characteristics of the stages, in a mission such as the lunar trip, are as follows: First Stage: The first stage burns over 15 tons of propellants per second during its two and one-half minutes of operation to take the vehicle to a height of about 36 miles and a speed of about 6,000 miles per hour. The stage is 138 feet long and 33 feet in diameter. Second Stage: The second stage burns over a ton of propellants per second during about six and one-half minutes of operation to take the vehicle to an altitude of about 108 miles and a speed of near orbital velocity, which in this case is about 17,400 miles per hour. It is 33 feet in diameter and 81 ½ feet long. Third Stage: The third stage has two important operations during the project Apollo lunar mission. After the second stage drops away, the third ignites and burns for about two minutes to place itself and the spacecraft into the desired earth orbit. At the proper time during this earth parking orbit, the third stage is re-ignited to speed the Apollo spacecraft to escape velocity of 24,900 miles per hour. In this second sequence, the stage burns for about six minutes. The stage is 58 feet long and 21.7 feet in diameter. Instrument unit: The Instrument Unit, located atop the third stage, between the third stage and the payload, contains guidance and control equipment for the launch vehicle. It is 3 feet long and 21.7 feet in diameter. Apollo Spacecraft: Command Module: 13 feet in diameter; weight 11,000 pounds. Service Module: 13 feet in diameter; 22 feet high; weight, 52,000 pounds; 22,000 pound thrust engine. Lunar Module: Two stage; total weight, 32,000 pounds. The Decent engine s thrust can be varied from 1,050 to 10,500 pounds.

2 Fig 73) Components removed from the tree. (left to right) Lunar Module Parts, Instrument Unit, Third Stage halves, Service Module halves, LEM Housings, Fuel Manifold, Bulkheads, First Stage halves, Third Stage Engine Fairing, S- 11 Interstage, Second Stage halves, Second Stage Engine Support, S-1C Engine Fairing, Fins, Capsule Parts, and Engines. Fig 74) Glued the bulkheads into the First, Second, and third stages using Testors Liquid Cement. Fig 75) Using Testors Liquid Cement, I glued Stage 1 Halves together, the engine fairing onto the fist stage, and the Fuel Manifold to the Fairing. Glued Stage 2 Halves together, and the Engine Support to it. Glued the Capsule to Heat Shield, the Lunar Module Halves together, LEM Housing Halves together, Service Module Halves, and Escape Tower Together. Glued the F-1 Engines together.

3 Fig 76) Filled the seams of the stages with Squadron Putty and allowed to dry. Fig 77) After sanding the putty with 400 grit sandpaper, I primed all the parts with Tamiya Gray Primer.

4 Fig 78) Paint the Engines, and Stage Bulkheads with Alclad Gloss Black Basecoat.

5 Fig 79) Painted the Upper Half of the Lunar Module, Capsule and Escape Tower with Tamiya White Primer. Fig 80) Painted the Lower Half of the Lunar Module with Testors Acryl Flat Black. Fig 81) Painted the Engines and Stages Bulkheads with Alclad Steel.

6 Fig 82 & 83) Covered the Lower Lunar Module with Gold Bare Metal Foil, then removed areas of the Foil to expose the Flat Black. I then covered the Service Module (right) with Chrome Bare Metal Foil. Fig 84 & 85) Painted all the stages with Tamiya White Primer. Next, paint the First, Second, and Third Stages with Testors Acryl Flat Black in the appropriate areas.

7 Fig 86) Applied a coat of Future Floor Polish, allowed it to dry, then applied the decals using the manufactures directions. See Fig 14 for more information. Fig 87) Applied a coat of Testors Acryl Semi Gloss Clear to the Stages and the LEM Housing.

8 Fig 88) Glued the Engines onto the Stages using thick Super Glue. Fig 89 & 90) Painted sections of the upper LEM with Testors Acryl Flat Black. Since I planned on displaying one of the Lunar Modules on the base, I decided to make new gear legs for it (right) out of.08 Styrene Rod. I glued everything together using Testors Liquid Cement. Fig 91) After painting the legs and pads with Testors Enamel Gold, I glued them onto the Lunar Module with thick Super Glue. I placed the upper half of the Lunar Module onto the lower half.

9 Fig 92) I placed all the stages together but did not cement together. I did glue the Escape Tower to the Capsule using Testors Liquid Cement. The Saturn V is complete and ready to display on the provided base. The Platform: A platform is provided with the kit. It s cardboard and should be cut out along the perforations. Fig 93) These are the sheets provided with the kit. Fig 94) The Platform folds up very nicely and tabs are inserted into slots. I used a little bit of thick Super Glue to hold it together. I glued the Rocket Bases into the bottom of the Platform with thick Super Glue.

10 Fig 95) The platform when complete stands 25 high.

11 The Models are Finished: Fig 96) L-R Mercury Redstone, Mercury Atlas, Gemini Titan, Saturn 1B, and the mighty Saturn V Apollo.

12 Fig 100) The Saturn V placed on the Platform. You can clearly see the size difference from the Mercury Redstone to the Saturn V. Amazing..

13 Fig 101) The Lunar Module placed on the Platform. Overall: This was a very fun kit to build. Lots of detail, fairly easy to paint, and looks great sitting on the shelves with my other space models. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys space subjects.