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Design works were started in February 2024.
Design works were started in February 2024.
Construction of the rocket started May 2024 and completed early November 2024.
Construction of the rocket started May 2024 and completed early November 2024.
The display base was completed January 2025
The display base was completed January 2025
The base kit used for the model is produced by Scott Sayer. Scott designs & resin prints kits, and at the time of writing this, (Feb 2024), he sells a Saturn V kit in 1/96th & 1/144th scale & a Saturn 1B kit in 1/72nd scale.
The base kit used for the model is produced by Scott Sayer. Scott designs & resin prints kits, and at the time of writing this, (Feb 2024), he sells a Saturn V kit in 1/96th & 1/144th scale & a Saturn 1B kit in 1/72nd scale.
Shown here is an example of the kit that Scott built & painted in 1/72nd scale
Shown here is an example of the kit that Scott built & painted in 1/72nd scale
The kit is supplied with a Block II Apollo Spacecraft. This ultimately was not used as AS-202 was equipped with a Block I type. Everything shown in the instruction page below was replaced. All of the unused parts were kept and will be built up as as separate model
The kit is supplied with a Block II Apollo Spacecraft. This ultimately was not used as AS-202 was equipped with a Block I type. Everything shown in the instruction page below was replaced. All of the unused parts were kept and will be built up as as separate model
I had previously started looking for alternatives to replace the "unwanted" items back in 2019 when Dragon models announced the release of a kit. There were virtually none on the market at 1/72nd scale. The only likely candidates were some parts from Michael Key who has a Shapeways shop called Aerospace place, He advertised the correct parts, but not in the scale I required. I have used some of his parts on the Apollo 9 model, and had been in contact with him previously. I contacted him again and asked if he would consider rescaling them for me. The answer was yes, but he would need some dimensions taking from the kit parts to ensure a good fit. The parts he could supply were the Command module, Boost protective cover, and Launch escape system. These were ordered from Shapeways
I had previously started looking for alternatives to replace the "unwanted" items back in 2019 when Dragon models announced the release of a kit. There were virtually none on the market at 1/72nd scale. The only likely candidates were some parts from Michael Key who has a Shapeways shop called Aerospace place, He advertised the correct parts, but not in the scale I required. I have used some of his parts on the Apollo 9 model, and had been in contact with him previously. I contacted him again and asked if he would consider rescaling them for me. The answer was yes, but he would need some dimensions taking from the kit parts to ensure a good fit. The parts he could supply were the Command module, Boost protective cover, and Launch escape system. These were ordered from Shapeways
There was not a Block I service module available so I decided to "design" my own. The design was created using Fusion 360, and referenced from a set of David weeks drawings. The parts required were the main shell, a support cap to fit in the top and bottom ends of the the main shell, a base heatshield and rocket engine bell.
There was not a Block I service module available so I decided to "design" my own. The design was created using Fusion 360, and referenced from a set of David weeks drawings. The parts required were the main shell, a support cap to fit in the top and bottom ends of the the main shell, a base heatshield and rocket engine bell.
This was an interesting exercise as there is a lot of things to take into consideration. and it means juggling a lot of variables. The designed item has to fit the existing kit, the design has to allow for the practicalities of printability, the parts need to fit together. All of this was a bit of a headscratcher at times, but an interesting exercise. What I have seen is that a lot of guys on modelling forums practise design by iteration, basically draw it print it, then carry on doing that until the correct results are obtained. Not having a printer means I have to outsource that part. Shapeways have/are becoming exorbitantly expensive so alternatives were sought. I found a guy who would print items very cheaply and gave it a shot.
This was an interesting exercise as there is a lot of things to take into consideration. and it means juggling a lot of variables. The designed item has to fit the existing kit, the design has to allow for the practicalities of printability, the parts need to fit together. All of this was a bit of a headscratcher at times, but an interesting exercise. What I have seen is that a lot of guys on modelling forums practise design by iteration, basically draw it print it, then carry on doing that until the correct results are obtained. Not having a printer means I have to outsource that part. Shapeways have/are becoming exorbitantly expensive so alternatives were sought. I found a guy who would print items very cheaply and gave it a shot.
The parts all printed up. The first version had a malformed base. this was due to a lack of support. A sacrificial support was added to the design and that solved the problem
The parts all printed up. The first version had a malformed base. this was due to a lack of support. A sacrificial support was added to the design and that solved the problem
That was as far as I was going to go with replacing parts, but buoyed with the success of the service module I thought I would have a shot at doing the SLA. This was drawn up again using David Weeks drawings, and photographs of this earlier type
That was as far as I was going to go with replacing parts, but buoyed with the success of the service module I thought I would have a shot at doing the SLA. This was drawn up again using David Weeks drawings, and photographs of this earlier type
A screenshot of the SLA from Fusion 360
A screenshot of the SLA from Fusion 360
As the SLA is a relatively large item a few of the print suppliers could not print it. Luckily in a Facebook group I had spotted James Coulter offering a print service touted as being extremely competitive. He was duly contacted and we struck up a deal. James has a 3d print company called JC3DDesign (link to site below)
As the SLA is a relatively large item a few of the print suppliers could not print it. Luckily in a Facebook group I had spotted James Coulter offering a print service touted as being extremely competitive. He was duly contacted and we struck up a deal. James has a 3d print company called JC3DDesign (link to site below)
The first test print was received. I had included an internal stiffening rib halfway up, unfortunately that created an external bulge. The rib was removed from the drawing and the mark 2 version was printed
The first test print was received. I had included an internal stiffening rib halfway up, unfortunately that created an external bulge. The rib was removed from the drawing and the mark 2 version was printed
The mark 2 version as received
The mark 2 version as received
Whilst drawing the SLA I thought why not carry on and draw the rest of the Block I parts. These were completed, and then another thought-why not carry on downwards. Below the SLA sits the IU (Instrument Unit), whilst drawing that I realised that there were some antenna that were specific to AS-202. This meant that the IU was added to the list of replacement parts to be printed and used. Scott has engineered his kit to make it easy to paint. there are areas of black and white that occur in the stringer areas. these are very difficult to mask & paint successfully. This meant in the case of the fwd skirt of the S-IVB stage he split it in two, so they can be painted separately then assembled. In the case of AS-202 this is not required as the fwd skirt was all white, so a revised one piece skirt was drawn
Whilst drawing the SLA I thought why not carry on and draw the rest of the Block I parts. These were completed, and then another thought-why not carry on downwards. Below the SLA sits the IU (Instrument Unit), whilst drawing that I realised that there were some antenna that were specific to AS-202. This meant that the IU was added to the list of replacement parts to be printed and used. Scott has engineered his kit to make it easy to paint. there are areas of black and white that occur in the stringer areas. these are very difficult to mask & paint successfully. This meant in the case of the fwd skirt of the S-IVB stage he split it in two, so they can be painted separately then assembled. In the case of AS-202 this is not required as the fwd skirt was all white, so a revised one piece skirt was drawn
The original Instrument unit and split forward skirt
The original Instrument unit and split forward skirt
The revised Instrument unit & forward Skirt drawn up and ready for printing
The revised Instrument unit & forward Skirt drawn up and ready for printing
The revised Instrument unit and fwd skirt as received from James
The revised Instrument unit and fwd skirt as received from James
Another revision carried out was to the four ullage motor fairings. As before the kit supplied items were different to the ones relevant to the AS-202 flight. Replacements were drawn up and printed
Another revision carried out was to the four ullage motor fairings. As before the kit supplied items were different to the ones relevant to the AS-202 flight. Replacements were drawn up and printed
The originals are the one on the extreme left and fitted to the front of the interstage. The new items are on the left and right sides, and the right hand loose on the card
The originals are the one on the extreme left and fitted to the front of the interstage. The new items are on the left and right sides, and the right hand loose on the card
With the completion of the Saturn V model in May 2024 construction of the model was started in earnest
With the completion of the Saturn V model in May 2024 construction of the model was started in earnest
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