Saturn 1B Skill Master

Before there was the Saturn V, there was the Saturn 1B, theNASA test bed for Apollo flight hardware. Versions of the ApolloCommand and Service Module, and the Lunar Module were all test flown onthe Saturn 1B while the Saturn V was still in development. Even theS-IVB upper stage which served as the third stage of the Saturn V wasfirst tested on the Saturn 1B, functioning as that vehicle’ssecond stage. The Saturn 1B would eventually see service as the primarylaunch vehicle for Earth orbit missions in the Apollo spacecraft.

One of the distinctive features of the Saturn 1B is the set ofcylindrical tanks that forms the rocket’s first stage.Resembling a cluster of smaller rockets, the tanks are sometimesmisidentified as re-purposed Redstone missile stages. In fact, these70-inch diameter tanks were created using the same forms that producedthe Redstone rockets. So, while they share a common lineage, they werenot surplus rockets themselves. The tanks fueled eight H-1 engines,four of which could gimbal to steer the rocket while under power. Eightlow profile fins ringed the base of the rocket for guidance duringatmospheric flight.

In February of 1966, the first Saturn 1B was launched with anearly version of the Apollo Command and Service Modules – nocrew was aboard. The subsequent Saturn 1B launch of Apollo 7 on October11, 1967 certified the Apollo spacecraft for human spaceflight. Itwould be the last Saturn 1B launch for nearly five years.

In 1973, after the final Apollo moon landing, the last SaturnV was used to launch the Skylab Orbital Workshop. Three crews wouldeventually be sent to live and work in the space station, each launchedaboard an Apollo Command Module carried by a Saturn 1B. The first ofthe three Skylab crews lifted-off on Saturn 1B vehicle SA-206 andstayed for 28 days. Their first task in orbit was to repair Skylabafter an accident at launch ripped away a solar panel and sun shield.Led by Apollo 12 moon walker Pete Conrad, the crew performed adangerous EVA and successfully rescued the space station.

The Estes Saturn 1B SA-206 is a stunning 1:100 scalerecreation of the Saturn 1B and Apollo spacecraft stack as it appearedin 1973 for the launch of the first Skylab crew. Every detail is there,from the Launch Escape System atop the Apollo Command and ServiceModule, to the first-stage H-1 engine nozzles (remove for launch).Textured body wraps, injection molded components, and other plasticformed parts add a level of realism to this Master-Level kit that everyscale modeler will appreciate. Launch your finished model using one ofthe recommended Estes engines for a spectacular liftoff and dazzlingtwo-piece recovery under dual parachutes. On display or in the air, theEstes Saturn 1B is a marvelous addition to any fleet.

WHAT YOU NEED TO BUILD: Pencil, #220 #320 #400 and #600sandpaper, ca, ca accelerator, epoxy, yellow glue, tube-typeplastic cement, liquid plastic cement, putty for plastic models,sanding sealer, tweezers, hobby knife, sharp blades, masking tape,permanent spray adhesive (not artists’ or repositionable),paint (flat black, flat white, silver). (Tools, construction andfinishing supplies not included.)

WHAT YOU NEED TO LAUNCH (sold separately): Porta-PadE Launch Pad and ProSeries II Launch Controller, Estesmodel rocket engines, startersand recoverywadding. Six C 1.5V high quality AA alkaline batteries arealso required for launch controller (not included).