posted 11-15-2010 02:59 PM               

I have finally received my Saturn V a few days ago and began building it and ran into the normal problems that you guys have posted and was much less frustrating reading the posts!

posted 12-26-2010 01:56 PM            

My only quibble with the kit as far as detailing goes is that the entire third stage has the corrugated texture molded in and, unless I'm misremembering things, the center portion should be smooth. that's kind of a major detailing screw up on what otherwise is a very nicely done model. Other than that it's very cool and will display nicely.

I built about four of the Monogram 144th scale kits as a kid and none of them ever turned out as nicely as this one did (of course the fact that I'm 49 instead of 12 probably has a lot to do with that).

posted 04-18-2011 04:12 PM               

It went together pretty smoothly. I stood on the shoulders of giants, i.e., learned from the trials and tribulations of other cS'rs who assembled theirs earlier. For example, I used a couple drops of super glue to hold the LM plume deflectors in place. The "missing" part 46 on the S-II stage is in fact already attached to the side of the stage - it's one of the tunnels running along the stage. The piece will come off if you pull on it. My only misstep was not checking the alignment tab of the IU before putting the SLA panels in place - I had to pull them off and rotate the assembly 180 degrees.

My model was missing the ascent engine for the LM, and one of the SLA panels had a broken tab that was supposed to hold it to the S-IVB stage. As noted in earlier posts, the paint isn't perfect (for example, the inside of one of the F-1 engines was not completely sprayed). But these are minor complaints.

The model looks great, and it was certainly less work, with a better end product, than trying to get the Revell 1/96 Saturn V into good shape. I'm all about the instant gratification! I hope that Fame Master cranks these out again soon for everyone who didn't get one the first time around.

I'll need to build some supports, but here's the model next to my 5-foot vintage poster!

posted 10-23-2011 03:37 PM               

We picked up an old 1/100 scale Skylab model from Lunar Legacies. It has no solar panels and some where in its life someone thought it a good idea to paint it all white, including the interior items.

posted 10-29-2011 08:02 AM               

• Put a dab of glue on the copper colored braces on the first stage engines or they will keep popping off all during the rest of the assembly.

• Put the clear pieces on before you assemble the stage halves, that way you can clean any fingerprints off of the inside before final assembly.

• Be very careful when placing the upper section of the service module to make sure the hole lines up for the little side piece that connects the service to the command module, once you get it in place it's a bear to move again.

• I painted the command module with Testor's chrome to give it a more authentic look.

posted 11-03-2011 12:14 AM               

The main S-IC structure was received in the box as a single piece vs. the assembly diagram which shows the S-IC main body prior to assembly as being split to allow installation of the tank domes.

posted 11-05-2011 06:53 PM            

Be patient when working the two halves apart, it takes some time, but they will come apart.

posted 08-24-2013 07:37 PM               

I've assembled the F-1 engines. They're supposed to be attached to a circular piece (part #8) that makes up the bottom of the first stage. Each engine has a peg (gimbal) and an oval part (interface panel) that fits into their respective holes on the circular piece.

My problem is that the engines don't seem to fit properly in that they don't go in far enough to snap in or stay in place. I don't know whether the pegs are too thick or if I'm not pushing them in hard enough. I'm afraid to push any harder because I don't want to break an engine.

posted 08-24-2013 10:18 PM               

The parts are properly built, however, they require more pressure than you would expect to align properly.

posted 08-26-2013 05:58 AM               

Try my Bare-Metal Foil (Ultra Bright Chrome) trick on the Command Module.

posted 12-21-2013 07:11 PM               

• 9/5 -- received email reply
  
• 9/23 -- notified me that wrong part was sent to Famemaster
  
• 9/30 -- correct part mailed out (via turtle express)
  
• 11/21 -- received part; in much better condition than original part; several minor scratches which really can't be seen when in place on rocket

posted 01-05-2014 08:32 PM            

As seen in this photo, the Instrument Unit exterior is still wrong but it's not as egregious as issue as the whole stage having stringers like before.