Estes Saturn V Launch: OMG!

#modelrockets
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In this episode at Modelrockets321 I went out to launch my Saturn V and had to launches which I consider failures. I added 3d printed fins and didn't take the additional weight into consideration.
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Model Rockets 321 will bring you model rocket discussions, model rocket builds, kits, reviews, kits and my rocket flying history. I will also interview some other rocket flyers and builders like yourself.
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[@TheRocketN00b]

I've seen some wiggly Saturn V flights. It made me nervous, so I pushed a washer into the clay nose weight in mine. I've flown it one time only, but it was arrow straight, so I'm glad I added the weight. Yours looks great!

[@modelrockets3215]

Thanks for stopping by. That's great you got a nice flight then retired yours. I have the heavy 3d printed fin issue and my capsule is glued in place. Few things to work out on my part.

[@Nottsboy24]

It's nice to see different results launching these types of rockets 🚀 Even if the weight and balance is correct, 'CG' & 'CP' the wind and earth's gravity has an effect on the performance of the rocket regardless of what checks and safety measures you may have put in place 😀

[@dwmzmm]

Flew my vintage Estes Saturn - V (K-36 kit) back in July 2009, heavily modified to use a D12 core, four C6's outboards. Flight was a great success, but recovery was not (for the upper section). You can find the video here on YT, search for my name.

[@thegood9]

Glad i found your channel. You're a humble guy and love learning from ya!

[@modelrockets3215]

Thank you appreciate your view and thumb up

[@P61guy61]

Thank you for posting. I like your debrief and you gave good information. You’re right. Rockets are to be flown, tested, and enjoyed. That is what the hobby is for.

[@b52707]

I like your attitude. It reflects the spirit of all the trial and error of the space program from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. Thanks for sharing.

[@modelrockets3215]

Thanks for watching 🚀💥

[@terryperrott8567]

Nicely built Saturn V, I got a Saturn Skylab yesterday, it's like 42" inches tall. I built it back in the 80's, Then I'm going to get the 5' foot tall Saturn V

[@dansmith7617]

Thanks for showing us this great rocket. Your analysis is on point and much appreciated for us newbies. You'll get it fixed! -Dan

[@johnshoosmith]

It's great to see Estes launches. I could never afford this one. :)

[@modelrockets3215]

Neither could I. Then I never wanted it because of the skill level

[@proob4]

IDK why but your comment on the ant's checking it out made me giggle. Too bad about the damage, definitely my 1st flight on my Saturn 1B will be a F15-4. Also I made a mistake on mine and my motor mount it 2 inches closer to the rear. I need to do a spin test for sure before I launch mine.

[@stirlingpickett5253]

I hated to see it got damaged but I'm happy you were able to retrieve it

[@modelrockets3215]

Yeah man. I added those heavy 3D printed fins, forgot to account for that. And a swing test like someone mentioned

[@michaelmanriquez4965]

The Saturn V rocket is a monster build and beautifully constructed by you. 👏👍 I built that kit back in the early 90's and did learn many things for I wished I had built it differently but was my lack of experience. Good job on the flights and happy you didn't have to much damage for mine was beyond repairs but I have another kit in the backlog. Great job Keith! 👏👍

[@alexgonzales1855]

Yea looks like the center of gravity was off and center of pressure where misaligned or shifted in flight. Explains why it went sideways maybe.

[@daleflying]

NICE! 😎

[@DENSUTUBE2008]

Amazing build and super clean sharp paint work. Beautiful model!

[@modelrockets3215]

Thank you!

[@timjester8555]

Yep, center of gravity issue, assuming correct engine tube alignment. It sure seems like old Sat5 had bigger tail fins.

[@modelrockets3215]

Those were some 3d printed ones a lil heavy and a tad smaller. Since this video the originals are back on. Just checking Cg. Should get another flights soon.

[@winstonsmith478]

That's exactly why I never build and launch anything I couldn't stand to lose. A few years ago at a launch, someone placed a beautiful cluster powered Saturn I on a launch pad and I said, loud enough for others to hear and agree, "If I built something that nice, I'd be afraid to launch it." Guess what happened. Hint, it was much worse than this Saturn V launch.

[@modelrockets3215]

Cool but that's not my method at all. No guts no glory. If it crashes, rebuild it or buy another one start over. If it works out cool. I build them to fly. I don't want static models. I'm going to launch them all. Except for my Farside X. Everything else flies at least once.

[@winstonsmith478]

@@modelrockets3215 Cool, I will greatly admire your scale rockets along with others. I have an easy excuse because, actually, I just do aerodynamic and 3D printing experimenting.

[@AZAce1064]

I have one in the garage 1/2 complete still in the box after 20+ years in the box the plastic tail fins deteriorated so I probably will never finish it.

[@modelrockets3215]

Estes is re issuing a 29mm motor version very soon. They've been selling spare parts for Saturns aswell. Check the estesrockets.com website. Used my discount code at check: in_321

[@thegood9]

I flew that rocket too. The fins are way too small to control that large of a rocket at such relatively low speeds, i think later they added some clear plastic fins to extend their surface area in later models.

[@modelrockets3215]

The size of the fins are fin on this kit. Many of them work. I just screwed mine up. Those are heavier 3D printed fins. That weight needs to be accounted for.

[@mmille10]

Really enjoy seeing people launch the big Saturn V model. There was a time, many years ago, when I wanted to build this model, but didn't get around to it before I lost enthusiasm for the hobby. What comes to mind listening to what you said about the weight of the parts is when I was building model rockets, I bought a "rocket construction kit" package that allowed you to build your own. One of the pieces of advice in it was that you needed to take into account where the center of gravity was in the rocket you built. Your comment about needing to add weight to the nose cone sounds right, since you said the fins were heavier than the stock materials that came with the kit. Did you relaunch after this, and did it go well?

[@modelrockets3215]

She's all rebuilt with the stock fins waiting for a launch day. Absolutely CG/CP are important as well

[@retrorockets]

I think it needs larger fins or a little more umph of the pad than than an E12 gives. Aerotech F30FJ-6 maybe?

[@modelrockets3215]

Probably so. The E12 was definitely too weak. F30, may be good for it.

[@KevinsModels]

Good analysis Keith. I think the Saturn is asking for more power. Also, the fact that it actually hit tail first is a good indicator of its CG. More noseweight is required. And of course, more weight will need more power. You’ll get it dialed in! Looking forward to your rebuild and ultimate success!

[@modelrockets3215]

Thanks Kevin! Good information.

[@saturn5tony]

Yup a little tail heavy. Good luck with the rebuild Keith.

[@jameswilkinson259]

All good Keith. She lives to fly another day.

[@modelrockets3215]

Right. I'll make these adjustments and retry it soon

[@novahobbies]

OOF that was painful to watch but I 100% agree with you, these are built to fly and its not as fun a hobby if you're just building shelf queens! I've got a Skylab version and the classic Saturn V waiting to launch the end of this month. Both of those have 29mm mounts and I was thinking of lofting them on an E15-4, but now I'm wondering if I should just send them on F15s. Heh. Like you I've added the Boyce fin cans, and I've got a little extra weight in the front for both of them. Where was your CG point before launch?

[@modelrockets3215]

Not sure where the CG was, too far to the the rear definitely. The Aerotech E15s are fine when built standard. Remember I used heavier 3d printed fins and without additional nose weight. Build standard and light will work.

[@user-gl5yk5ys5b]

That needs a lot more engine that what you are using.

[@edwinkania5286]

You can try a swing test with a motor installed and see what happens. The you can get the CM off and add bb's epoxied in or clay

[@modelrockets3215]

Thanks. I dropped the ball. Especially not accounting for those heavy fins. Thought it would be ok.

[@alexgonzales1855]

Might be cool to do a vid on how to mod rockets and their weight. I just got a mercury redstone and modded ot to use d engines but im not sure what to do with the weight. Do i add a bit or weight to the nose?

[@modelrockets3215]

Cool idea. From a c-d isn't too much to affect the flight. I made the same modification years ago and it flew fine. You'll be good in this case. Also you can get a rocket design software and build the rocket and launch it in the program and it'll show you the results pretty accurately 🚀

[@TheKGB]

Thinking ya needed some more nose weight in there.

[@BrianKelsay]

I thought ppl took the escape tower off for launches?

[@modelrockets3215]

Some do not me. I try to fly them scale

[@BrianKelsay]

What the heck? Flying sideways.

[@fishingandfireworks7334]

Needs some nose weight in the capsule

[@sickmtbnutcase]

Mine is built a lot like yours with the Boyce fins and it flew the same on an E20-4, and I still added a pile of nose weight plus the front of the main BT is a baffle. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZrJn5iooZ5_bqc Looking forward to your fixes and next flights!

[@modelrockets3215]

Ok cool thanks. I'll check this out

[@modelrockets3215]

Similar flight profile. But your ejection event took place at a higher altitude. Hmmm. And how many grams of weight did you add

[@sickmtbnutcase]

@@modelrockets3215 Pretty sure it was 65g. I sim'd it in Openrocket and it seemed ok there. Guess not. Right now it lives on my desk at work and may stay there.