I kind of recall the Mars Lander coming out, but never had one. I had to check, and it was first in the 1969 Estes catalog. However, there was not even a "NEW!" caption on the page. Somehow a purchase of one eluded me over the years.

When I first saw the Semroc model, I ordered a couple. I got most of the way thru the build of one, and then stopped when I had a problem with the shrouds. I finally got it put together. The upper shroud fit is a bit off, but it looks pretty good overall. Since it isn't perfect, there is no hesitation whatsoever on my part to fly it.

I have the 18/20 RMS hardware, so this one will fly on D13 reloads. Here is a picture of it next to my Estes Outlander, sporting a bit of customization using Evergreen styrene sheet and strip, plastic model parts, and some custom Outlander decals (Tango Papa). I just put the decals on the Mars Lander, and I'm deciding whether to clear coat in matte, like the Outlander, or use gloss clear coat. My "go to" clear coat is Krylon UV-Resistant Acrylic a Clear. It comes in gloss and matte.

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Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Nice ML! Personally, I would finish it with gloss. I usually use dull coat for scale builds predominately because dull coat is such a dust magnet--but to each his own.

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Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

Very Nice.
+1 more for a GLOSS Clear topcoat.
Be careful with Krylon over the Semroc decals.
Use several LIGHT coats as Krylon has a pretty "Hot" solvent package in their clear.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !

Nice ML!

I hope to finish mine one day and fly it.

My ML is from Kosrocs, one of the last kits he made. I have the Saturn 1B kit too!

I built this ten years ago and went with the red landing gear instead of the orange landing gear.
As you can see, I did some homework and built it so the shroud is removable for fixing and repairs. I built it for 18mm motors and not 24mm. Oh weller!

Attached Thumbnails

   

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If it flies, I can crash it!

Very nice! Let them fly!

I'll be bringing the Mars Lander to the CRASH launch on the 16th. Oddly, I've crashed more rockets at CRASH than any launch site ...

Although, some were not really crashes, they were just expertly placed landings on the gravel in the parking lot!

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

I think I've shot the Krylon over almost every decal type, but maybe not Semroc's. The Krylon I use is the UV-Resistant acrylic, so it's pretty mild. Nothing like the old Krylon Interior/Exterior. I liked that paint, but you didn't ever want to use it over anything other than the same Krylon.

Just to be sure, I'll be testing the decals first. Krylon offers a number of clears for protecting pictures, drawings, photos, etc. I first found it in the Art Dept. at Hobby Lobby. It was not with spray paints in the crafts area of the store.

I treated some Estes Interceptor-E decals with Micrscale Decal Film recently, since they were known to be problematic when the kits came out. The black on the decals smeared and left bluish streaks in places. I've been gun-shy about doing any decal treatment since, without some testing first.

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

I had never heard of orange being recommended, but the Semroc instructions mentioned using either. I was actually going to go with flat light aircraft gray like my Outlander, and then decided to go gloss white. I may use a bit more artistic license on my next one when colors are picked.

Since so many landers are glossy, I think I will go that route with the clear coat.

I like the idea of having the entire body slide off. Great idea!

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Nice looking build Lee! I also have a Semroc ML. Built it several years ago and has flown twice. I learned my lesson trying to launch it on Estes B and C motors... darn near crashed twice before the chute could deploy but luckily landed on it's feet both times! Now I have some Aerotech motors for it!

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SAM #0354

The smallest motor one should ever use in a Mars Lander is a C5-3. The C6-3 just plain sucks and always results in an arcing flight.
VERY Old Cox D8-3's are great in it, but you'll never find any.
Aerotech D10/D13/D21/D24 are just about perfect in it.

__________________
When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, TURMOIL, FIASCOS, and HAVOC !