I'm thinking of doing my first scale build, and am wondering if anyone has recommendations about which of the myriad of Saturn kits is best? I'm looking for a challenge, but being my first one I'd like some rewards too! Price is also a factor- I'd like to keep it < $75.

Thanks!

I would go with this one. http://www.unclemikesrocketshack.com/Saturn_Press.html

Plus it flys on cheaper motors!

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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/

Even better, I'd try one of the Dr. Zooch Rockets. Easy to build and the fly and look great!

Look here: http://drzooch.com/

Also, do a search on here or TRF for "Zooch Saturn V"

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Bravo52
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Jerry Little
TRA #11767
Level 1

Better?

Well, cheaper and smaller.

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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'm refering to "first timer" vs quality of kit. The Alway kit is very nice. So is the Zooch kit. I think the Saturn Press kit is more complicated but it makes a fine rocket. So does the Zooch kit, which I believe is easier to build. Half the price and from about 10 feet away, they all look the same going up the rod...

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Bravo52
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Jerry Little
TRA #11767
Level 1

I'd also go with Dr. Zooch. It is only $25, you do not have to worry about all the detailed painting, and you have so many models to choose from, if you'd rather build another Saturn "variant" (I think there is a pun in there ...).

I'm partial to the SA-5, and plan to add this particular Dr. Zooch kit to my inventory this year.

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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

I think the best value for the MONEY at $70, is the 1/70 scale Semroc Saturn 1B.
I don't think the poster said it had to be a Saturn V, just a Saturn.

If the money constraint was not there, I'd vote for the 1/70 Apogee Saturn V ($278) or Saturn 1B ($210) .

The HUGE Polecat hi-power 1/38 scale 10" diameter Saturn V is great, but very pricey at $800.

The 1/64 scale hi-power Sirius Saturn V is very nice at $360.00.

The new Estes 1/100 scale Saturn V kit is basically a re-make of their last Saturn (which is basically the Centuri kit from the 70's) and is a nice kit for the money. It can be found for a little under $70+ shipping. I just got mine and it is being set up with a "upgrade kit" from Commonwealth to fly on 29mm motors. Don't let anyone tell you the Estes Saturn will fly decently on a single Estes D12; it will NOT unless you consider a flight to 100' with barely enough time to deploy chutes as decent. One can fly it on 24mm RMS F24-4W's to a decent 350' or so or single-use F32-4T's.

As far as the Dr.Zooch kits go, they are stand-WAY-off-scale. If you want a rocket that looks like a Saturn from a distance, they are a decent value for the money. Don't buy one of the Dr.Zooch 1B versions unless you like rolling your own tank tubes; they are NOT pre-formed.

I have never actuallly seen the "saturn press" Saturn V kit, but have heard it is very good.

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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, and HAVOC !

My first scale kit was the semi-scale Saturn V from Estes. If only they would reissue that one too...

I would have to recommend the Dr Zooch Saturn V for the first timer. Depending on your skill level, you can build it simple or detailed. Then fly it without too much fear of losing or wrecking it; they will make more, as the commercial says. And the price is right.

The Zooch Saturn 1Bs are not bad except for the tanks as GH mentioned. I learned a little trick with mine. The black tanks went well, the few creases I ended up with are not so noticeable due to the printed detail.

But the white ones looked absolutely terrible. Luckily they looked bad before I glued them, so I just wound them tighter than needed, then covered them with a "skin" of printer paper. An alternative is to cut new ones "against the grain" of the cardstock (like one of the white ones and all of the black ones) as those seem to roll better without creasing.

I have the Saturn Press kit, but because it is a bit bigger, I am wanting to do something more about the corrugated wraps than just painting the roll patterns. Either get good enough to make printed wraps ala the semi-scale Estes kit or make my own embossed ones.


Bill

Thanks guys, you've given me much to look at...too much to do so at right this minute, but I didn't want to forget. I plan on reviewing your recommendation during lunch tomorrow (and quite possibly through the morning and afternoon too, hope it's a slow Friday!).