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NASA: Skylab

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Skylab as designed - building instructions

These are the instructions to make the extra parts needed to convert the 'Payload' version (build instructions are in an earlier update) and an 'as designed' deployed version with solar panels. The two side strips on the original are replace with slighlty longer pieces - this means that two 1x2 bricks and 2x2 slope bricks just below the large 8x4 circular tiles are no longer required. The model can be left with the longer side strips and you can then quite easily swap between the 'Payload' and 'As designed' version. Note - where I have shown red parts below they are actually white or grey parts from the original 'Payload' version.


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Skylab as designed - completed build

All the parts have arrivbed to make up the solar panels as designed. There is a small change to the Payload version to add the connections for the wings.  Instructions will follw shortly.

Almost at the 1K milestone - thank you to everyone who has supported this project.


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Skylab as designed

I have been asked about instructions for the other versions of the model, I've done the first part of finalising a design and made up the solar panels using pieces I have available, here it is with almost all of the correct pieces but all the wrong colours!

This shows that it will sit on the stand OK - but I have discovered that the stand will need to be modified to take the actual one solar panel version as this unbalances the model and it rotates on the stand as the panel drops down. Small change to the side strips to include a connection point and of course the new panels.

With a complete replacement for the solar telecope section it is actually quite easy to convert from skylab in orbit to the payload model. Next step will be to make up the parts in the correct colours.


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Saturn 1B First Stage - the Base

If you add the Skylab payload to a Saturn V you are left with a 'spare' third stage. You could display this using the blue stand  or use it as the top half of a Saturn 1B. I decided that the Saturn V third stage had to be used without any modification so it could be swapped on or off the Saturn V or 1B. The model has been test built. The only issue I had was that the four clip connection between the upper and lower stage was so strong that it pulled the top of the first stage off. A simple change from 4 to 2 clips solved that issue.

Optionally you can strengthen the eight outer tanks by adding cross axles to join the seperate sections. I had lengths which joined about 8 pieces. They are not essential and I used axles that I already had, ideally longer axles could be used. I found that the longer axles were very expensive on the secondary parts market (they would have added another 50% to the cost of the build). 

I  hope you  enjoy the build and please leave a comment if you add a Saturn 1B to your 1:110 rocket collection.

NOTE: The white click joint 44567 is a very rare piece- I had just been lucky finding some for sale. It may be necessary to substitute a light gray piece. (Thank you to wolvesfan08 who spotted the issue).


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Saturn 1B Tanks and Rockets


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Saturn 1B Interstage and Parts List


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My 1:110 scale NASA rocket collection

When I started out designing models to match the scale of the Saturn V, I planned to make then up in LEGO. After a few weeks of finalising designs and waiting for a backordered Saturn V. I have completed the builds - including the Saturn 1B first stage which will take the 'spare' Apollo Saturn V stage 3. The full line up is Mercury-Redstone, Mercury Atlas, Gemini Titan II, 'Little Joe II' escape system test rocket on its launcher, Saturn 1B, Apollo Saturn V, Skylab Saturn V.

Build instructions for a Skylab which fits the top of the Saturn V  are in this project's updates.

Build instructions for the Mercury-Redstone and Gemini-Titan II are in the updates section of my NASA Mercury Gemini project

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/d061bd70-11e7-4805-b5a7-dcfa21d15030/update...

The 'Little Joe II' Rocket can be found in my NASA Crawler-Transporter Updates as a bonus build.

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/0f8efc2a-ce0a-4285-9f2b-036bf3eb9f38/update...

More building instructions to follow in the near future.


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Building the 'Payload' part 5


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Building the 'Payload' part 4


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Building the 'Payload' part 3

Note - The 6x6 circular plate has to be rotated 45 degrees so that the docking port and solar telescope were correctly positioned. Looks a little complicated but the finished build locks the plate at the required angle.

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