Saxus' Rocket Models

Okay, I went crazy and I ordered ~45k Lego bricks today. And I already had ~40% of the required bricks. I'll build all 3 Saturn ML (Apollo, Skylab-1, ASTP), the DIRECT MLP for Jupiter, a dozen Saturn I and IB (by Apollo 110 Bricks) and the OLM (by 0rig0).

In parallel I works on optimizing the plans in the queue. Like some parts was available for limited time, I try to find alternative for them (for example: red 60476 was sold between 2012-14, it is hard to get enough quantity). 2/2

What am I doing nowadays? First: I disassembled a bunch of old stuff and went through all of my part collection (probably more than 70k) to collect bricks for the projects what I want to build. I found about 26K from 64K what is my target for this year. 1/

As @nighthawk11991.bsky.social said once: this size is a centerpiece of your room. If you want something more manageable, something that actually fits on a shelf, then the 1:160 (Artemis I set scale) is a better choice. Here is a comparison:

Thank you! 1:110. And It's huge. In this configuration it's ~130x40x45 cm (51.5"x15.5"x17"). You can fold down the lightning mast then it's only ~118 cm (46.5"). With the fiberglass mast which was used on ASTP only (and later on Shuttle pad) it's ~142 cm (56").

Thank you! I try my best!

It is done. I guess.

It’s been a while since I posted about the Saturn Mobile Launchers. Recently made progress on the Milkstool and the Saturn IB ML modifications. Here’s where the project stands now.

This turned out to be harder than I expected.

Things are slowly starting to emerge from the garage. After almost two years, the Ares I ML is finally out in the open again. It needs a bit of minor refurbishment, but considering what it went through during the move and the two exhibitions, it’s in pretty much perfect condition.

Today I had a little time for CxP MTV. I worked on the bottom of the drop tank section and the Saddle Truss. I'm not fully convinced, but it's still more than yesterday. (Or two weeks ago). Also the house renovation is nearly complete, so finally I'll be able to move all Lego in.

Been busy with renovations last lately, barely had time for LEGO - and after a month of intense Saturn V ML instruction grinding, I kinda burned out. Finally had some time and energy to start adapting the ML for Skylab 1 (instead of continuing CxP MTV). Total "find the 3-pixel difference" game.

If you're curious: The Crew Transfer Vehicle is 89 cm (35") long, the same length as an SLS Block 1. The solar panels are 46 cm (18") long. The cargo and habitat landers each measure 62 × 10 cm (24.5" × 4").

I thought I’d give the Mars Transfer Vehicle (MTV) from the Constellation era a try. Out of the various designs, I chose the most well-known one, the 'Copernicus' with 10m tank diameter.

Here’s a rough, very early version.

The house renovation is going full steam - literally the kitchen is the only room untouched. Meanwhile, I'm deciding my next project: Saturn V-Skylab ML? Milkstool? Saturn-Shuttle? Constellation MTV? Or Shuttle stack? Anyway, don't expect many Lego updates in July.

14 days and probably 50–60+ hours of layout work later: the final instruction page of the Saturn V ML is done.
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to do the test build before autumn - house renovations take priority now.
But finally, there will be proper space for the LEGO!

802 pages are done (compressed from 2,242 pages), and making 100 pages takes ~3.5 hours. This means I already have around 25–30 hours just in layout work. The full ML is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,100 pages. All my respect to those who do this for a living.

I've been thinking for a while about how to present this in an interesting way, but I have no ideas. Breaking it down into steps and doing the layout are the two most boring parts. A soulless grind. The former is done, and the latter is 42.6% complete. Next will be Level 160.

Comparison with an Atlas V 551 and the official LEGO Saturn V

It even has turbomachinery for the upperstage engine!!

Just finished building my Ares 1 MOC from @saxusrm.bsky.social!

Was an absolute treat to build and I'd highly recommend it for anyone with an overlapping interest in LEGO and spaceflight!

rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-148...

Saturn V ML report: Step breakdown for
✅Platform
✅LUT levels 0-80
✅LUT levels 100-180
⏳LUT levels 200-280
⏳LUT levels 300-380
⏳Pipework
✅Hammerhead crane
✅TSM/Holddown

It’s a mind-numbing grind. I’ve been at it for two weeks now, and I still have half of the tower to go.

So whats up with Saturn V ML? I'm working on breaking the model down into building steps.
This is the first step toward creating the instructions, and it also helps find issues before a test build. It's slow, tedious, soul-crushing work - and there's nothing visually exciting about.

The last element has been added to the Saturn V Mobile Launcher's design.

Sure, it's not the end of the process, but it's a huge milestone.

Good news: I’m done with the visible parts of the Saturn V Mobile Launcher!

There are still several steps left (internal structure, breaking it down into steps, test builds, etc.) - but this is definitely a major milestone.

Saturn V ML status update: I can confidently say that designing the various service arms is my least favorite part. Each arm takes hours and requires lots of redesigns before everything comes together. From the S-II Forward arm upward, they're done — 4 more to go.

Yesterday I did another round with the SLS Block 1B. As is now official, the EUS LH2 tank will get a white coating for thermal protection. My biggest issue is that if I just recolor the EUS, it doesn’t really separate visually from the payload.

I made some new renders of the Saturn V towers — now featuring the new hammerhead cranes. Still a work in progress, obviously.

Haven’t worked much on the Saturn V ML lately—other duties, a couple books (highly recommend The Dispatcher by John Scalzi!), and honestly got a bit burned out by the endless piping. But over the weekend I finished the hammerhead crane + made an ASTP-specific version too.

Thank you!

So, last week I finished the pipework at the backside (Side 3) on the Saturn V Mobile Launcher. Here is a render about that. What are your thoughts?

Why do I love Lego modeling as an adult? It's fun to plan something, then suddenly see a real, tangible object—something my profession, despite my love for it, doesn’t provide. It's easy, yet it still offers challenges that require creative thinking. Here's a small example: