posted 03-29-2016 10:08 AM               

Few launch vehicles are as iconic and distinctive as NASA's behemoth rocket, the Saturn V, and none left such a lasting impression on those who watched it ascend. Developed with the specific brief to send humans to the Moon, it pushed rocketry to new scales. Its greatest triumph is that it achieved its goal again and again with an enviable record of mission success.

Haynes' Saturn V Manual tells the story of this magnificent and hugely powerful machine. It explains how each of the vehicle's three stages worked; Boeing's S-IC first stage with a power output as great as the UK's peak electricity consumption, North American Aviation's S-II troubled second stage, Douglas's workhorse S-IVB third stage with its instrument unit brain - as much a spacecraft as a rocket. From the decision to build it to the operation of its engines' valves and pumps, this lavishly illustrated and deeply informative book offers a deeper appreciation of the amazing Saturn V.

• Hardcover: 176 pages
  
• Haynes Publishing UK (August 1, 2016)
  
• ISBN-10: 0857338285
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0857338280

posted 09-04-2016 02:06 PM               

I have read hundreds of books on the space program, but found so many photos and stories I had never seen/heard of before in this book. It details the stages, engines and even the ground equipment and all of the other items attached to the rocket to make it work.

There is also a section on Skylab detailing the building of the station and the issues that occurred during launch. The fact that the partially deployed solar array/meteoride shield fell down the side of the rocket and cut the charge that was supposed to separate the interstage was so interesting.

posted 09-15-2016 11:29 AM               

Read the 16 page section on the IU (as a former BMer, I delight in this stuff). Nice clear descriptions of the equipment and process.

Which brings me to one issue of nick-picking. David's son Kevin drew the beautiful cutaway drawings on the cover of the three stages, but the IU is not shown. As the "brain of the beast," it's omission is disappointing.

Update: It is there, but as part of S-IVB and not shown as a separate section (there is no separation line on the stage to help in the distinction of the two parts).

Update 2: It is not there. When my cantankerous lawn mower gave me a few opportunities to rest, I studied the cover drawings more closely. The ring I thought was the IU is the top ring of the S-IVB. So, I was correct the first time: no IU section no the cover.

This doesn't detract at all from the rest of the book (thru the F1 chapter and the writing is David's usual spot-on descriptions of how things work). Sorry I brought it up (just a grouchy old BMer).

Not sure if the copy I received was incomplete as the book ends with the map of Australia depicting the demise of Skylab. And that's it. Usually there a blank page to separate the body from the cover. Strange. Could've used that page to list other books about the Saturn program for folks that want more, like "Stage To Saturn" and the two recent books by Jonathan Ward ("Rocket Ranch" and "Countdown To A Moon Launch" -- outstanding books). Just a quibble.

A fine addition to the space library of knowledge.

posted 10-08-2016 06:11 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Tom Rednour:
One final question: Who's up for writing the Mercury Manual to complete the series?

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