Mars lander Build
OK, I will be the first.

I started my Mars Lander last night. There are a whole bunch of parts. Parts are precicely laser cut with just enough material left to hold the parts in place until you're ready for them.

The parts aren't numbered but there is a chart in the instruction on page 2 showing the number designation refered too in the build steps.

So far the only complaint I have is how easy it is to get the parts covered in soot from the laser cuts. No big deal just keep paper towels handy.

I have the legs mostly completed but there are a LOT of parts so finishing the legs took about two hours.

OK, I'm slow!

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__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

I may have found the first "gotcha" but maybe I'm doing something wrong.

On step 13 is says to center the landing pad ring EB-20B to the lower pad disk (part 5).

I looked on the chart on page 2 and found lower pad disc part 5.

Unfortunately part 5 is smaller than the EB-20B rings.

Step 14 shows part #7 as the bottom disc.


Carl,

Ring in here and I'll wait before I glue any more. I may be completely wrong on this.

Look at the picture.

Item #5 the lower pad is on the right and fits inside the EB-20B ring.

Part #7 is the second row.

On the left is the upper disc.

Actually I believe this is just a typo. step 13 should use part #7 for the lower pad and step 14 should say part #5 for the landing pad disc.

I'll wait.

It's no big deal.

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__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

I just started mine. I'm also doing one of my 1/2 price Outlanders (thanks to Hobby Lobby) a few steps ahead of the ML. That way if I mess something up, it will be on the cheap Outlander.

Is there a source of Mars Lander and Outlander photos that have different paint schemes, or extra customization? I'm planning on doing the Outlander in Mars Lander colors, but it would be cool to do some extra stuff with both of them.

I've read it a number of times and don't see anything wrong with it.

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Roy
nar12605

It looks like they just swapped parts #5 and #7 in the instructions.

#5 is smaller and goes on the very bottom. Sort of a foot pad.

It's no big deal.

__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

I see what you're saying now.

it is just swapped in the Parts ID on step 2. The text in steps 13 and 14 agree with the exploded view in the center of the manual.

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Roy
nar12605

The parts identification figure in step #2 is wrong. Parts #5 and #7 are swapped. Also Parts #20 and #21 are swapped. The time stamp on the file was 3:00 a.m. the day before we left for NARCON! Why do all National Rocket events happen about three weeks too early?

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Carl McLawhorn
NAR#4717 L2
semroc.com

Carl,

It's no big deal. I could figure it out.

Now that I've painted the landing legs red I get to sit and watch paint dry.

I'll post some pictures after the paint drys a bit more...don't wanna touch them.

So, how do you paint the legs without getting paint on the rubber bands????

__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

Sandman, Thanks! I'm following your build review here.

My Mars Lander was waiting on the porch for me when I got home with a Hustler parts pack also inside of the box to keep the Lander company on it's trip here from Semroc

I'm surprised that all of those parts could be fit inside of that little bag!

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

OK, the legs are painted except for the footpads. They are dry enough to touch...but just barely!

I did the ascent stage body cuts and glued the landing leg housings.

I've used a LOT of parts but...there are a lot of parts to go!

I've been looking at all the little pieces parts left over (knock-outs and extra unused discs.) I wonder what I could make with them?

Look! Red legs!

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__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/