....also the LEM fairing of the new 1B kit will NOT fit into a regular BT80 without major sanding of the shoulder. I also just noticed that the LEM fairing has more surface details than the fairing from the #1969 so it was apparently a complete retooling for the molding of the #7251.

Now this is interesting: the LEM fairing of the #7251 is a BCH larger in diameter than the one of the #1969 and the exposed portion of it is .008" longer than that of the #1969. I don't know if this is intentional or not. Perhaps I just think too much.

__________________
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

So this part of what I heard is true.

Here is a link to a interesting unboxing of the new Saturn 1B

https://youtu.be/_V9oStEwxQg

__________________
=======================
If the Sky is the Limit, then,
why is there Footsteps on the Moon?
=======================

Yep, John Boren told me a while back (NARAM 60?) that it wasn't planned that way, but they would need to redo the LEM transition for the S1B kit.
It does show the commitment that the 'new' Estes has to getting things right - even if it costs more.

WOW! It's a fun and well made kit to build so far! Everything fits nicely. I did all of this just last night while watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I'm not doing a build thread on it because I'm leaving this Sunday for 3 weeks on a job down at the King's Bay Submarine Base. You all should have your 1B's built by the time I get back.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
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

A little more assembly of the 1B tonight:

I've attached the upper body wrap and the interstage wrap to the send stage BT. The wraps are VERY thin--be careful when you slit them. For the record I used 3M Super 77 spray adhesive to mount the wraps. I then epoxied the second stage assembly onto the stack.

Good night.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
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 love that they slotted the fairing for the fins. This was always an agonizing task to glue them in centered and straight.

You got that right! I didn’t need to use it, but the card stock sheet includes an alignment jig for the fins.

__________________
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

Just having the one piece solid fins saves a ton of time. I liked the challenge of the hollow two-piece Centuri 1b fins, but it was time consuming for sure. And tedious.

Plus, the solid white tank tubes saves having to paint them black and white first BEFORE assembly.

Looking good Jeff!

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Nice!

I too always manage to get myself truly special Christmas presents!

__________________
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

Good job! Thank you for your update post!

__________________
=======================
If the Sky is the Limit, then,
why is there Footsteps on the Moon?
=======================