GordonD Posted December 30, 2017 Author Share Posted December 30, 2017 Day Six! Bag #6 contains all the engine parts, as I said: This is what the base of the model looks like before any of the engine parts are added: Here are the parts that go to make up one of the outer engines: (The outer engines are gimballed so they can steer the vehicle, while the centre engine is fixed and uses alternatives to the two parts to the left of the black rod.) When put together the engine looks like this: And with all the engines in place: Fins and skirts added: And those final gaps plugged, and we're done! Tomorrow we begin assembly of the S-II second stage. This uses bags #7 to 10 so construction will run through to Wednesday. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted December 31, 2017 Author Share Posted December 31, 2017 Day Seven, and with Bag #7 we begin construction of the second stage. Another humongous load of pieces here: As with the first stage, we begin with the central core. Assembly is similar but not identical - the S-II is a fair bit smaller and there's no intertank structure, as on the real thing the engineers managed to design a common bulkhead between the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks, despite their wildly different temperatures. So here's the main structure: As before there is plenty of internal cross-bracing to make the final result very strong. A close-up of the gubbins at the top: I'm really having a lot of fun with this build - possibly the most enjoyable part is building the various sub-assemblies and trying to work out what their eventual function will be when the model is complete. These two are easy: The red clips show that they will hold the third stage in place when it's attached. And here they are in place: There will be two more clips on either side, but they're in the next bag. I don't have a clue what these do! Even when they're fitted, their function is a mystery until some more parts are added. This is the present stage of the build: And a quick look at the base before the engines go on (which isn't until Day Ten, Wednesday). 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted December 31, 2017 Share Posted December 31, 2017 I'm loving this I can't wait to build mine in due course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 I'm also thoroughly enjoying the build, although I don't have one of my own to build in any course, let alone due. When It's done are you going to take it apart and use the bits to make a train set? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 14 minutes ago, Gorby said: When It's done are you going to take it apart and use the bits to make a train set? No, I'm going to take it apart and build it again! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 45 minutes ago, Gorby said: When It's done are you going to take it apart and use the bits to make a train set? MODEL RAILWAY!!!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Gorby said: I'm also thoroughly enjoying the build, although I don't have one of my own to build in any course, let alone due. When It's done are you going to take it apart and use the bits to make a train set? 24 minutes ago, Enzo Matrix said: MODEL RAILWAY!!!! Thanks, Gorby! One sure way to wind up Enzo is to use the expression 'train set'. Pavlov could have saved a fortune in dog food if he'd merely observed how Enzo instinctively replies by insisting it's a 'model railway'! The fiver is in the post! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 DAY EIGHT The contents of Bag #8: Before I get into the build, I have to comment on this piece: These markings appear on the side of the S-II stage which is adjacent to the launch tower. A high-speed camera is focused on them so that post-flight analysis can determine the exact moment that the vehicle began to move at launch. The fact that Lego have taken the trouble to print these markings shows how much care and attention to detail they have put into this model. If they had just supplied a plain white part I doubt one in a hundred builders would have noticed it. Anyway, on with the build. The S-II has only a single cabling tunnel and the second phase of the construction starts with that. Those grey bars at the bottom will attach to the red clips at the top of the S-IC to hold the second stage firmly in place but allow it to be detached easily so you can play with it demonstrate the progress of the lunar mission. Here is the above part in position: And the upper half of the cable tunnel: And in position: As I said when discussing construction of the first stage, the national markings are not decals but are printed directly onto the parts - much neater. Here's the second side in place, complete with those first-motion stripes: Construction of the remaining two sides is identical (though the panel to the left of 'UNITED' is plain white) so here is everything in position up to the end of this build phase: The business end, showing the bars which will attach to the first stage clips: And though very little of the external skin is in place, I couldn't resist a test fit with the first stage: Tune in again tomorrow - same Bat-time, same Bat-channel! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 That was another thrilling episode Gordon. Although I'm amazed buy the original beast, I don't know a lot about it, so your explaining what the parts represent is very welcome. And be reassured that there won't be another unfortunate faux pas about mentioning 'train set' again. If I was aware that there was anyone who was averse to the phrase 'train set' I would have refrained from mentioning 'train set' at all. In fact I will rip the keys that type 'train set' off my keyboard now, so that it will not be possible for me to use 'train set' ever again. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 Actually the phrase that really sets him off is 'toy trains'. So please do your best not to use that one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Standing right here, people! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, Enzo Matrix said: Standing right here, people! Near the toy trains? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zebra1922 Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 My wonderful wife brought me a one of these for Christmas. I was hoping for a nice quiet build, but with 2 daughters who love lego I've had to expand the workforce! Bags 1 and 2 now done. Bag 2 was great as there are 4 of everything, so we make one each (and even let my wife join in!). Bag 3 tomorrow am. Easier than these blooming' plastic things! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 I started my mighty Saturn last night - I am on bag 3 and loving it while rustling those horrible crackle parts bags while the family try and watch the TV with me in the lounge while I brick bash. Its worth every penny of the £80 I paid for the kit. Highly recommended to any modeller whether interested in Lego or not - the subject is a true engineering legend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aeronut Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 How do you guys manage to spread the build out for so long? I built mine in a single sitting, such was my enthusiasm to see the thing in all its glory. Mind you I didn't get to bed until 3 in the morning. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Aeronut said: How do you guys manage to spread the build out for so long? I built mine in a single sitting, such was my enthusiasm to see the thing in all its glory. Mind you I didn't get to bed until 3 in the morning. Willpower! I had the thing for about six weeks before I even opened the box! Anyway, DAY NINE. Contents of Bag #9: Today's build is undoubtedly the most straightforward of the lot - though it makes a huge difference to the model's appearance. Quite simply, it involves attaching lots of skin panels to a central spine, as shown: This is done four times over and the assemblies are then attached to the model: And connected to the first stage: Tomorrow will complete the second stage, filling in the last gaps and adding the forward interstage and the engines. Then Thursday will see the construction of the S-IVB third stage and Friday the Apollo spacecraft itself. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Welcome to Day Ten, which will complete the construction of the S-II second stage. As usual we begin with the contents of today's parts bag: Not a lot here but what there is is quite repetitive as we are plugging the remaining gaps, creating the forward interstage and making the engines, These slot into the holes near the top of the stage, and are swiftly followed by four more. I wasn't paying enough attention here and failed to spot that the next batch are actually mirror images of these ones, so they didn't fit properly when I tried to install them. Good thing no glue is involved... Next up is the forward interstage, which reduces the rocket's diameter to that of the third stage. This is really the first point where the model gets noticeably out of scale, but I stress I'm not complaining or blaming Lego for it - they've done an outstanding job and as always I stress that the parts they have included (whether or not they were specially designed for this particular model, and I have no idea either way) have to be compatible with everything else in the system. Anyway, here are the first parts of the interstage and how they look in position: Different approach for the black areas: It would be remiss of me not to point out that the black and white pattern here is completely wrong. On the real thing it's like a binary pattern as you work around the circumference: upper and lower halves both black; just the upper in black; just the lower in black; both halves white. Again, though, this would have been impossible for Lego to reproduce without making this area of the model considerably weaker. But that completes the bodywork of the S-II and all that's left are the engines. These are a lot simpler than those of the first stage, just four parts to each one: If you're building this then make sure the white rod is pushed all the way into the pulley-like wheel that forms the lower half of the engine bell, otherwise it will fall off. And here are all five engines in position: One criticism of the Airfix Saturn V is that the second stage engines are spaced too far apart but Lego have got them spot-on here. And finally, the first two stages in all their glory: Tomorrow it's Bag #11, which will build the S-IVB third stage. (Yes, that's right, the whole thing in one day.) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 coming on good and mighty there I'm still on bag 5 - made some mistakes somewhere in the process of adding the upright external pillars on the first stage while pretending I could combine watching top gear and do Lego at the same time. Cost me an hour of backtracking and correcting my build while Clarkson spent an hour dissing of Hammond on the telly which added to the entertainment on Tuesday night. Lego + DAVE + Top Gear = a perfect evening in.... Good luck on the final stages of your mighty Saturn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 I don't look at the SF/RS section very much but i'm glad i noticed this,great job Gordon and what an awesome bit of kit.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 7 hours ago, Gimme Shelter said: 'm still on bag 5 - made some mistakes somewhere in the process of adding the upright external pillars on the first stage while pretending I could combine watching top gear and do Lego at the same time. Cost me an hour of backtracking and correcting my build while Clarkson spent an hour dissing of Hammond on the telly which added to the entertainment on Tuesday night. That's one of the advantages of Lego - if you make a mistake it's easy to remove the bits and redo it properly, which you can't do if you've glued a part in the wrong place... Anyway. Day Eleven, and the contents of Bag #11: Assembly of the S-IVB is completely different from the first two stages - it's much narrower so doesn't need the same amount of internal cross-bracing. So here are several photos showing some of the steps required: Turning the model upside-down to work on the base: Adding these and two similar parts: And adding the engine: And just completing the top: And we're done! Here I've removed one of the black panels on the interstage to show how the red clips on the S-II hold the third stage securely in place. To separate them you just need to pull them firmly apart. Tomorrow will complete the model with the assembly of the Apollo spacecraft. After which I'll probably take it apart and build it again! 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gimme Shelter Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 coming on good - thanks for showing how the sections clip together as I was wondering about that - I managed to get through to the end of bag 6 last night - lower stage 1 section now completed with rockets and fins attached. If I had the money, I would scratch build the launch tower as I intend to display mine upright next to the TV Keep Calm and brick-bash on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 DAY TWELVE It seems like only yesterday that I learned of the existence of the Lego Saturn V, and was disappointed to find that it was out of stock on their website. There was no provision for placing an advance order, so I had to keep checking daily to see if it was for sale yet. Finally it became available again and I placed my order. It was delivered on 9 November, which was the fiftieth anniversary of the vehicle's first flight - it seemed appropriate. I could have built it there and then as a tribute but I'd already decided to keep it for Christmas, which I managed to do. So each day since then I've worked on one of the bags of parts, and today completes the project. And I've loved every step of it. I made a couple of mistakes along the way but as I said yesterday with Lego you can go back and do it properly and it doesn't show. As will be seen at some point in today's build... So here are the parts in Bag #12: As before I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves, showing at each stage the progress thus far and the parts required for the next step, I should point out here that the flat disc at bottom right is the wrong part - it should have been a ring, as I discovered later on whilst vainly hunting for this piece. That white cone is NOT the Command Module - it's actually the Boost Protective Cover, which was a shield that fitted over the CM and was jettisoned along with the escape tower. CSM and LES complete! (That gap between the bottom of the Service Module and the engine nozzle is there for a reason...) Parts for the Spacecraft/LM Adapter: And we're done! The beast in all its glory Actually we're not quite finished, because we haven't looked at the LM, or the actual Command Module. These have been built, but I'll post the photos later on. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonD Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 As promised, the Lunar Module: That circular plate is the same one I fitted to the Service Module in error! Lego have printed the windows and hatch detail of the LM Ascent Stage onto the part! And the LM is complete! Lego do supply a Command Module as well as the Boost Protective Cover, as well as a nice display for it alongside the Saturn V itself: Some nice detail printed here as well: After splashdown, awaiting recovery - complete with the inflatable bags that turned it the right way up, and the flotation collar: And how the spacecraft looked after separation from the S-IVB: 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enzo the Magnificent Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 15 minutes ago, GordonD said: That wouldn't look out of place on the Isle of Sodor. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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