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The N-1 Moon Rocket
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Terminology
Just to recap here, to avoid confusion. Strictly speaking, the N-1 is
just the first three stages. The fully assembled Moon rocket is the
N1-L3. On top of that you have the four different versions that flew,
the 3L the 5L the 6L and the 7L. There were also test /
breadboard models, like the 1M1.
Building the model
I started with no real clear idea of how far I was going to take it,
but fairly confident I had enough information to make a decent job of
the model. After all, if no references were available, no-one would
know if I made stuff up, worst case!
The shape was very distinctive, and I could only find a few other
attempts at modelling it in software, so I figured I'd have a god
chance of making the best model yet done.
The previous project had been much smaller, it was the V-2 rocket,
(available for free download on my downloads page, see the bottom of
this page). For that I had tried to ind the best way of modelling
things, with the help of various online forums. It took longer, but I
really learned a lot.
One of the most important things that makes life easy when modelling is
good plans. These can be used as a backdrop to the modelling software
in almost every case, (certainly in Lightwave 3d, my prefered
software). The main shape of the rocket is very simple, it's basically
a sequence of trucated cones, so with the plans from I had got from the
net, (available in
one of the galleries here), it was off to a flying start.
In my experience it is not too difficult if you have to redo the more
minor parts, but if you get the overal shape wrong, even a small error
can lead to a large amount of reworking later.
A problem I knew I would have from the start was the base. It has round
holes cut into a smoothed surface, and this is really horrible to
model. The problem is that the cuts made tend to make for extremely
irregular smoothing.
Fortunately the helpful chaps over at the Lightwave 3d group,
came to the rescue, and explained how to do it. If you are interested
yourself, here's
a link to the thread.
This contains a load of stuff on the detail of how I modelled the
thing, from start to finish. It's a very helpful forum, squarely
centred on Lightwave and with a strong bias in subject matter towards
science fiction and space.
Other places I received support and encouragement included the main
lightwave forums the Space
Modellers Yahoo Group, (mainly aimed at physical models, but
very knowledgable, and helpful with references), and the International Association of
Astronomical Artists list, (only open to
members).
Choosing polygon counts:
A minor point, but one that will make life easier – how many
sides should you use when modelling something like this? It is always a
good idea to keep the polygon count as low as possible without
affecting the end quality, but how to choose?
I wanted to get fairly close to the rocket for some shots, so that
meant I would need a fairly large number. In particular if you look at
the lip of a cylinder at a shallow angle, it can really emphasize the
polygons. A less obvious factor is adding repeating details.
By this I mean things like the ring of catches around the lip of the
first stage, or the repeating pods around the side, even the engines.
It is much easier to get the positioning right if each instance lines
up with the underlying polygons in the same way. It’s perhaps
easier to think of with smaller numbers – think about
positioning
8 objects around a hexagon. It gets messy if you keep them evenly
spread as each one is in a different position in relation to the flat
sides.
A handy trick for maximum flexibility is to use a multiple of 12 or 24
– there are lots of ways to divide this up evenly, so no
line-up
problems. In this case I went for 144 sides.
Colour.
One controversial point that came up was the colour of the N-1. Several
different colour schemes were launched, notabley:
- One with the first two stages dark, and half the third
stage.
- One with one quarter of the first two stages dark, and the
rest white.
- Two that were completely white.
For a time I was convinced that there were no completely white ones,
only those where the dark quarter was turned away from the camera. As
you can imagine, it is often very difficult to work out the orientation!
But at least one shot of two apparently white rockets showed a dark
edge nearest the gantry. And as only four were launched that seemed to
account for 3 of them...
Fortunately Pjotr, my helpful expert from Lithuania, was able to
explain that one of the rockets in the shot wasjust a test model, and
was never intended to fly. If you look closely, you will see one of
them has no escape tower.
The other controversy about the colour is exactly what the colour is
that I have refered to as 'Dark'. In every case I have seen in a
museum, it is done as dark green - a colour which is generally copied
by amateur modelers. This is also the colour refered to in the book
"Rockets of the World", (currently out of print), widely viewed as the
definitive reference work for rocket modellers.
Most photos have extremely subdued colour, and are not a lot of help -
also all the famous colour ones come in versions which have ben
processed in a wide variety of ways, to make things even more confused!
Here are some examples, to give you an idea of the problem.
(Add various thumbs and link through to the galleries)
I was fortunate enough to discuss this on the Space Modellers group,
where (????) who built the model in London's Science Museum said if he
was doing it again he would paint it grey. The very handy card model from
Currell
is dark grey too. Again, Pjotr was able to give a definitive answer -
he said he had spoken woth people who worked at Baikonur at the time,
there was definitely no major green there. I asked why his own model
had a green base to the second stage, and he explained he too had
started out thinking the other way, but had been convinced later, when
it was too difficult to get in and change the colour, so only the
outside had been corrected!
You may notice if you look back through the stages of my own models
development that it went through a period of fading from glossy rich
green, to olive, to a colour very close to grey! I decided to give the
slightest tinge of green to the grey, so it would look a bit like the
photos.
Differences between the various craft.
This is not intended to be a definitive guide, but my best
understanding. As always, if you think I have something wrong, I
welcome corrections!
There were four N-1 rockets that actually flew, but several other test
models were built, and two at the end of the program where no launch
was ever attempted after the program was cancelled.
I am trying to concentrate on the four that actually flew, and thse
came in three different colour schemes.
The first launch is the one most often modelled, it has the whole of
the first two stages as dark grey, and half of the third stage. This is
the N1-3L
The second launch has one quarter of the first and second stages dark
grey, and the rest of the rocket white. (The N1-5L). There are also
several photos of a test version in these colours - I think that the
lack of an escape system is a big clue it is a test rocket, but I am
not sure if this is definitive.
The final two launches, (The 6L and 7L), were essentially all white for
the main hull components.
There are also some physical differences between the models. Earlier
craft, (The 3L and th 5L), had a wider sharp edged skirt, which was
trimmed in later vehicles. Also the 'pods' on the side of the stages
were made more streamlined. These are actually covers for the pipes
taking the kerosene from the upper spherical fuel tank around the lower
liquid oxygen tank. (You will notice that on the upper stages there is
one pod per engine). The first two launches, the 3L and the 5L had the
more blocked, less streamlined pipe covers.
These shape differences are well described in these
diagrams.
When I get this done I will render side-by-side images of all versions
for comparison.
All rendered graphics © Nick Stevens. You may use the in-line
illustrations on your own web pages, provided that you give me a
credit, and provide a link back to my N-1 home page. Very high
resolution versions of all rendered images, and animations, are
available for a fee. Contact Nick Stevens at the e-mail address below
for details.
Thanks
& Credits
These web pages would not have been possible without the help of many
people who provided information, and pointed me the right way. Many run
web sites which are listed in the LINKS
section.
My particular thanks go to the people hanging out in the IAAA
mailing list, the space
modelers list, the forums at
Novosti Kosmonavtiki, and specifically:
- Pjotr Druzinin for tirelessy coping with my computer
translated
Russian, and dumb questions!
- Alexander Schliadinsky for permission to use his excellent
diagrams,
aalso tireless advice via computer translation.
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