Revell 1:144 Saturn V rocket. Part 4: Lander, Paint & Decals

The final part of the Revell Saturn V rocket build, finishing off the rocket itself, and building the Lunar Lander.
Then finishing the painting, putting the black stripes on.
And finally the decals.
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[@johnbyck3451]

I've enjoyed watching this build. I enjoyed the fact of you not editing over your minor mess-ups. This allows us to look out for my own mistakes. The biggest thanks to your painting is that you taught me how to prevent bleed over ridges by painting white over the masking and THEN paint the black! YOU ARE THE MAN!!! Thank you mate! ---- Wichita Kansas USA

[@GrossModels]

Thanks. I feel it’s much more useful for people to see where I mess up, so they can hopefully avoid doing the same!

[@SantaClaraPD]

Hahaha! “No body watches these video anyway,”. I, for one, thoroughly enjoyed your video series. In fact, I can’t wait to build the model and hope that mine comes close to the quality and detail of your model! Thank you for making this video series!

[@GrossModels]

Thank you. I’m sure anyone can do at least as well as I have!

[@Navigatorbythestars]

Wonderful job! Thank you so much for posting!!

[@GrossModels]

I’m glad you found it enjoyable and useful!

[@Navigatorbythestars]

@@GrossModels it was great! I bought the same model and to my surprise the instructions were in German. So I’m kinda stuck for color numbers so hopefully I can find a set of instructions in English. Thank you again for posting! Can’t wait to assemble mine.

[@GrossModels]

@Navigatorbythestars I no longer have the instructions, so can’t help there! I wouldn’t worry too much about exact colours, as long as it looks good for you, go with it. I hope nobody will ever notice or comment that you have slightly the wrong shade of green…

[@Navigatorbythestars]

Thank you , your right!! I’m going to start next week!! Why not , right? lol!

[@karljones4867]

Hi, thanks for sharing, just about to start my own build and your knowledge will definitely help. Take care and I look forward to your future builds.

[@GrossModels]

Thanks, good luck!

[@lpb3731]

Thank you ! And yes, we do watch the very helpful videos you make. ( 17:20 )

[@GrossModels]

Thanks for watching!

[@FatherRobLyons]

A note on this final build... I really enjoyed watching you. You have helped me immensely with this build, and have reminded me of some things I learned last time I built a Saturn V (albeit in 200 scale) that I don't want to forget about building when I put this sucker together. Also, not sure if anyone has shared, those plant on pieces that there were eight of, but the instructions only showed four... those were ullage motors. When the stage was getting ready to ignite, the ullage motors helped to ensure that the fuel was at the bottom of the tanks so that they could be drawn into the piping. The original design called for eight of these motors, and that is how the 500F facilities test mockup was built. In operation only four were used on the real rockets up through I believe Apollo 14. Apollo 15 through 17 and Skylab used no ullage motors. Also, curiously, the paint and decal scheme for this kit is largely drawn from the 500F mockup. The operational rocket reduced the amount of black paint because it was heating the tanks in the Florida sun... added the first stage flags (they were not present on the mockup), and included the USA on the third stage, which was deleted on later flights. I happen to prefer the paint scheme Revell suggests... so I will probably do that when I build mine. Again, thanks so much! I REALLY APPRECIATE this video series!

[@GrossModels]

I did become aware of the many different paint variations on the versions of the rocket, but not why the black was reduced, thanks for that!

[@TosteKSP]

Thanks so much for this series! Just finished building this model for myself and this was a huge help!

[@GrossModels]

Happy to have been a help!

[@MetalStormX]

Very informative video - thanks! Not only that I'm starting to build the Saturn V soon - I hope so, otherwise I see a lot of interesting videos on this channel. My weekend is saved.

[@GrossModels]

Thank you, I hope I can continue to provide some interesting content. Good luck with your Saturn!

[@sigzor302620]

Very good build. I have this revell Saturn V but a vintage 1 from the 1990's. Your videos have inspired me to do mine.

[@GrossModels]

Have fun!

[@robcody4022]

Spraying the mask with white to seal it before the black is brilliant! I made a mess with the black and had to start over. Thanks so much for demonstrating that.

[@GrossModels]

I didn’t come up with the idea, but it works very well!

[@ILSRWY4]

nice job... looks great!!

[@GrossModels]

Thank you!

[@Ashvegas27]

Thanks Chris, Just successfully built my own Revell Saturn V model and your videos (and advice) were such a huge help :-)

[@GrossModels]

Happy to help! How did you find the build? Did you have fun?

[@Ashvegas27]

@@GrossModels Really enjoyed it. Like you I found the white/black paint bleeding a challenge, even with white primer as a filler and a quality masking tape. Hate to think what it would have looked like without the primer as a filler! Got there in the end and really happy with the finished model. Thanks again all the way from Wellington, NZ!

[@andreamorris8132]

Turned out nice again Chris :)

[@GrossModels]

Thanks!

[@karljones9357]

Hi, just rewatched you video for this huge monster build. I needed more information than the instructions were showing, and you’ve nailed it. Thank you again. Ps, probably watch part 4 again as alignment is crucial.

[@GrossModels]

Happy to have been of help!

[@jeztaylor6308]

Brilliant.

[@GrossModels]

Thank you.

[@AtticBoy68]

Great video Chris, building the Airfix version but some really useful stuff here. Haven't built a model for 40 years but it's fun.

[@GrossModels]

Thank you. I have only been back building for a few years, there’s always new things to pick up!

[@B.Wildered]

Sealing with white before painting the black areas was the missing step that I needed. Thank you much sir.

[@GrossModels]

Happy to have been of service.

[@rustedbeetle]

The great decal hunt of 2018 begins!

[@GrossModels]

I gave up. I expect to find it sometime in 2020.

[@tibireno]

Beautiful job !!! 👌🚀🌕🌠 I always use only brush for painting and finally give a layer of transparent lacquer.The paint doesn't look matt anymore 😔 but I can wash it of dust 😊

[@GrossModels]

Thanks you! I must admit I don’t often go back to a model once I’ve done it. So many of my kits may be covered in a thin layer of dust now. ;-)

[@kmoore02809]

Thank you so much for these videos. They're very informative. I just ordered this kit myself. I last tried to build it over 45 years ago when I was 10! I built a lot of models when I was kid and am now getting back into it. I would very much appreciate if you could publish a list of the paints, fillers, tools, and other modeling supplies you used to build this kit. Thanks so much!

[@GrossModels]

Thank you for the kind words. The paints for this were actually very simple, I used ump white and black primers for the main rocket. The detail was all done with valejjo model air paints, gold and silver/chrome. The only filler I used was sprue goo, if you don’t know about it, it’s simply excess sprue dissolved in Tamiya extra thin glue until you get a thick liquid. Tools, nothing special, cutters and sanding supplies.

[@Bigglesan]

@@GrossModels I'm curious as to the particular colours used too. What green did you use, and which grey for the base? The Revell colour names are really non-descriptive. I mean H is 'Green'. I'd love to see a colour chart for this in something like Vallejo or Tamiya

[@GrossModels]

Travis Young sorry, it’s been a while since I did this build. I’m pretty sure they were all Vallejo air, but I have quite a few.... apologies but I’ve never kept records of things!

[@allgood6760]

Very nice!... I have an Airfix Saturn 5 kit.... I saw Buzz Aldrin speak for an hour here in NZ in 2010 about his experiences ON the Moon... thanks from NZ 🇳🇿👍

[@GrossModels]

Very cool to hear a real spaceman talk! I hope you enjoy your build!

[@maryseori9404]

I too had issues with avoiding seeping within the ribs so I used a 'Ball Stylus Dotting Tool', usually used in art to stick the tape between ribs. It worked. Hope this helps.

[@GrossModels]

Anything that does the job!

[@leoroberts5044]

If I may, thinner strips of masking tape will be easier to keep straight as you go around a cylinder.

[@GrossModels]

Possibly, although sometimes it being wider can help prevent it bending in the wrong direction.

[@htiz5147]

I can smell the paint through the camera!

[@tlsumner]

Just purchased this kit from Amazon. Plan to use the gold foil from a couple of candy bar wrappers for the LEM Decent stage IF I plan to use it. I didn't like the open seems where the LEM is stored on the rocket so I was thinking to discard all the internal things and have one solid, rigid Saturn V. I think it would look so much better with all the seams puttied, sanded and painted. Nice vid BTW!

[@GrossModels]

Internals are always a difficult subject. Most of the time they are locked away and never seen but we know they are there. You can always make them and then seal them inside!

[@freelegal]

At 15:32 as you place the 2nd decal, the first must come off on your middle finger, left hand - at which point you discard the decal backing - probably with the decal stuck to it! I have one of these I bought in 2015. It's built, but not finished as I misplaced the box/decals/instructions! So I ordered replacement decals from Airfix (don't ask me why not Revell!!!) but then also decided that since there is a 50th anniversary version I'd buy that (ridiculously cheap now) and have another go at a better build/finish. Not sure if/when/how I'll finish the old model.

[@grahammcrobert7141]

Nice build there am waiting on 1/96 kit and going to make mine taking off with cotton wool as smoke

[@GrossModels]

That’s going to be big!

[@ryansta]

15:24 looks to be when the Decal makes its bid for freedom, with your middle finger pad. I've been watching for a Saturn kit for awhile and finally gone ahead with the Revell one as couldn't justify the asking price for the Airfix thats raved about, so finding your video very useful and informative -thankyou.

[@GrossModels]

Yes, I did track down the time it went, unfortunately the decal itself never turned up!

[@ryansta]

@@GrossModels Thanks for your reply, maybe, if you ever decide to switch to a career in stage magic, using small model parts is the way to go, the decal could be a grand finisher. Amazing how something can just disappear without trace like that. Great looking model at the end though and some great vids on your channel.

[@GrossModels]

Thank you very much. My slight of hand isn’t usually as impressive. :-)

[@marmelaki]

That was so funny and weird! :-) 15:17 - decal in place 15:33 - decal gone

[@GrossModels]

And it never turned up! ;-)

[@lachmack8967]

just one addition to my comment, the reason for this is the model instructions were created following the SA-500F test version. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SA-500F . This is NOT the painting scheme they went with with the actual Saturn 5. USA decals are not on the 3rd stage with actual Saturn 5's, there is no horizontal black stripe on Stage 1, plus other minor differences.

[@GrossModels]

Thanks for the info, the minor (and even the major) differences do not bother me, but others may want to paint it a different way.

[@lachmack8967]

@@GrossModels I just completed my Saturn 5 and I would have been angry if I made it to a painted finish that actually never flew, so I studied many photos before painting mine (having the lego saturn 5 helped too). This model was fun to make but no idea why it instructs to paint various things green which looks rubbish and really it should have updated instructions which I think I heard the 50th anniversary version does.

[@GrossModels]

I understand, I’ve just never been too worried about the accuracy. Even building Star Wars and film kits I never go for “screen accurate”, just what looks right to me.

[@paulmac3230]

Very nice set of videos, they'll be a great help when my kit arrives!Think you lost decal @15' 28" - 15' 32" (when applying 2nd decal, back onto finger to backing paper)?

[@GrossModels]

Thanks you. And yes, you’re probably right about the decal! :-)

[@V081WLBlue]

David Bowie making models.... ohhhhh! waza waza waza Ziggy lol Brilliant!

[@shannonlykins1630]

To help you out with painting go ahead of time and write on instructions each color so you know what color goes where

[@GrossModels]

Useful tip!

[@loum432]

Question - you said in the video that you used Pledge to add a shine and give a smoother base for the decals. Pledge - as in the furniture polish? I would think that furniture polish would make a slippery surface for decals to stick to - can you elaborate?

[@GrossModels]

It’s actually the floor polish, and it gives a nice smooth surface for decals.

[@AtticBoy68]

Great tip about spraying masked area with white first to seal the edges before doing the black, really worked well, although some bleeding. What's the best way to tackle the black bleeding into the white?

[@GrossModels]

Make sure you press down the edge of the tape firmly. And spray from the tape to the plastic, not so the paint is pushed under the tape. You may still need to touch up the white after!

[@AtticBoy68]

Good man. I’ll give that a go.

[@GrossModels]

Happy to help good luck!

[@Flintsstone555]

@@GrossModels How about using silly putty (correct English term?) for the tricky surfaces? I think I read about that somewhere. You smear a thin layer of putty on the uneven surface and a strip of tape over it as a reference. Then you cut the putty along the tape and remove the bit sticking out from the tape. I will soon start my build of the Airfix Saturn V, and I think I will try that method. Your videos have given me some good pointers even if it's from another manufacturer. Thanks!

[@GrossModels]

I’ve used blutac (sort of the same thing) but it usually gives a softer edge than tape. I guess cutting it away might give a sharper edge though. Good luck with your build, why not share your progress in my Facebook group? Facebook.com/groups/grossgroup

[@mariocomputers6479]

Can I use transparent clear glue for applying the decals?

[@GrossModels]

You don’t need glue, they are waterslides. Just put them in water, the backing comes away and you can lay them on the model.

[@startrekking359]

If you look at all the videos on the web your first stage black striping is wrong I'm glad I seen that before painting my 1/96 scale.

[@GrossModels]

There are several different versions of the stripes, but thank you for letting me know.

[@rastanz]

Great build log, I like the way you addressed the seams and the circular fit issues of the fuselage halves, she's quite a biggie when complete. I've been gathering reference of the Saturn V Rocket for when I eventually start my kit and I noticed that in most of the photo's I have there is no black band around the lower 1st stage of the rocket, I find it quite strange Revell didn't follow their box art as there is clearly no black band, is it possible that Revell made an error on their paint guide instructions or was your scheme personal preference? Cheers.

[@GrossModels]

Thank you. I don’t remember the particulars, but there are about a dozen different paint jobs for the Saturn series, someone may have used the wrong one for either the box art or the other pictures.

[@rastanz]

@@GrossModels All of the reference photo's I have are of the 1969 Apollo 11 Saturn V which will most probably be the version I'll base my kit off of. I was also thinking of lighting mine but what would one light in it because the thruster bells are hidden inside the stand and there's no windows lol. Did you ever find the mysterious disappearing decal? Thanks man, and again great build log.

[@GrossModels]

No sign of the decal, ever. It’s only the second time I’ve ever lost one so I don’t think I’m doing too badly. :-) It doesn’t surprise me that Revell got the details wrong. ;-)

[@MrNas42]

@@GrossModels Both Revel and Airfix and a few others got the blueprints during the mid 1960s, and a LOT changed between then and the final flight versions of the Apollo Saturn V, especially the, detail and size of the service module (after the Apollo 1 fire) and the overall paint scheme. Too much black paint was found to be heating the cryogenic fuels in the Florida sunshine!

[@GrossModels]

That’s very interesting, thanks!

[@cardcounter21]

I'd love to see a comparison between this and the Revell 1/96 edition. I wonder if the larger kit has more detail!

[@GrossModels]

I would assume so, and that must be massive!

[@paulohenriquemendesdasilva2392]

First of all, congratulations for the job! Pretty nice! I’ll build my own Saturn V next week here in Brazil. Looking for it! I have a question: did you paint the rocket in white or did you only primer? Thanks in advance!

[@GrossModels]

Thank you! I only used primer, there didn’t seem to be much point in putting white over the white.

[@paulohenriquemendesdasilva2392]

Gross Models thank you very much, and again, congrats for this excellent job!

[@paulohenriquemendesdasilva2392]

Gross Models oh, one last question: did you varnish it?

[@shellysharma9395]

24:08 what thing did you use to paint it

[@GrossModels]

I painted it with an airbrush, but normal paintbrushes would work- just not as quick or easy.

[@robseaton5678]

Have you done the Revell Shuttle with boosters 1:144 kit?

[@GrossModels]

I’ve done the one on the launchpad.Before I was filming stuff. I have the one on the plane (747?) to do sometime.

[@robseaton5678]

OK cool, was kinda hoping you'd done the video as I've just bought the Launchpad shuttle kit and to be honest, I really don't know how I'd have completed the Saturn V without this video! Thanks anyway though 👍🏻

[@GrossModels]

Thanks. The shuttle kit is a bit of a pain. Needs a fair bit of filling in the seams. But that’s the same as I did on this kit really. Just take it slow and follow the instructions. And have fun!

[@tonytodesco2535]

nice build and I have started my own but I believe the black paint scheme for the first stage is incorrect......even though the instructions tell you to paint that way. I looked at images of the actual rocket and the paint scheme is different. Perhaps other Saturn V rockets and differing paint schemes?

[@GrossModels]

Apparently there were loads of different paint schemes for this rocket for different tests.

[@robvilla622]

Great build series. I enjoyed it a lot. I am currently building the 1/96 kit. The paint scheme on both of these kits was based on the SA-500F Facilities Integration Vehicle, a non-flying rocket designed to test the launch facilities. It’s a shame Revell never updated the instructions, but still they’re both nice kits.

[@GrossModels]

Thanks.

[@kstadayoris4758]

Hey Chris I just found your channel and I got this as my first ever kit but I’m kinda scared of it lol is there anything you can tell me for a noob like me?

[@GrossModels]

Take it slowly and have fun! Don’t worry about getting things perfect, and don’t worry what anyone else thinks!

[@kstadayoris4758]

@@GrossModels Thank you so much I’m subbing!

[@GrossModels]

Happy to have you join!

[@Habaglubsh]

Braucht man die grundierungsfarbe unbedingt?

[@GrossModels]

It’s usually a good idea to use primer as it makes a good bond between the plastic and “normal” paint. It can also be used to shade the colour of the paint going over it.

[@Habaglubsh]

@@GrossModels Ok thank you

[@Habaglubsh]

@@GrossModels Do I also need it when I am painting with emaille color

[@GrossModels]

Happy to help

[@GrossModels]

Best to use it with all paints.

[@gaets04]

How tall does it stand ?

[@GrossModels]

It’s about 75cm.

[@tsfullerton]

Conversion...30 inches. I bought this kit last week and am looking forward to the build.

[@roberteason9182]

@@GrossModels Saturn 5 model, price please.

[@GrossModels]

I have no idea how much it costs now. Sorry.

[@laurapausini4474]

Im terrible at decals 🙄😢🤣

[@GrossModels]

It gets easier with practice. So I’m told. :)

[@laurapausini4474]

Thanks for answering

[@GrossModels]

I try to reply to every comment, seems rude not to!

[@laurapausini4474]

U are now my fav youtuber

[@laurapausini4474]

Have u done a concorde??👍 Thanks for listening

[@telescopereplicator]

This is the old Airfix kit, reboxed by Revell. Not a very good model and since they used the old (unrestored) molds, the model is even worse than the original issues from Airfix...... Here are my thoughts. Please consider them to be constructive comments and nothing else. Maybe I am too blunt but as long as my message comes along, I'm okay with it. The decals have improved, but some are incorrect, some are even fantasy....... The paint guide....well....even worse than the pastic parts. Nothing good to say here. The color call-outs are just dead wrong. Nothing accurate about it. And since most of us have access to internet, finding the correct colors is a breeze...... Too bad Gross Models did not even try for one second to find the correct colors. Since he followed the colors as shown by Revell, the end result barely qualifies as a toy..... I think it looks bad. But then, I am not the owner of this model nor do I know exactly what the purpose of this model is. If he had fun building it, then 99% of the goal of this hobby has been reached. His use of glue, Set and Sol needs improvement. He could do so much better. With some effort, this Airfix kit can be turned into a good looking, accurate model, but you must take the time for it and put some effort into it.

[@GrossModels]

Thanks for your comments, I hope I’ve improved over the time since I did this kit!