Why The Engines That Flew On Saturn V Rocket Look Different In Museums

The F-1 engine is the most powerful single chamber rocket engine, and 5 of them were used to power the 1st stage of the Saturn V rocket. However when we see close up video of the engines lifting the rocket they look a lot different from the examples we see in museums. The detailed pipework is covered up by what looks like sheet sheet metal that's been hammered into place.
This is insulation designed to protect the engines from heat radiated from their neighbours, and from hot exhaust gasses that get sucked up onto the back of the rocket.
If you want to buy a copy of the Saturn V Manual i showed it's available on Amazon here:

[zerospampls]

“Industry standard Werner Von Braun for scale” And the best Qutoe 2019 goes to Scott Manley!

[dougball]

Scott, as an aerodynamicist I feel the need to give you a minor course correction. The pressure behind a shock is higher, not lower. Supersonic flow, when encountering a protrusion into the flow (like the corner between the service module and the SLA) a shock forms to turn the flow. When the body turns away from the flow (like where the SLA meets the S-IVB) an expansion forms to turn the flow. The pressure behind an expansion is lower. So you are correct that the base pressure is decreasing, but it is because of expansions and not shocks. I offer this kindly because I find most of your videos and explanations spot on and thought you would like to know. Keep up the good work!

[ewanmurray]

I kinda like that they don't have insulation in museums, it means you get to see all the amazing details underneath

[Kumquat_Lord]

Ahh, launch camera E8, how I love your footage of the F-1's starting up and lifting the magnificent Saturn V into orbit!

[joeyschwartz]

Thanks for the explanation. I've noticed this difference between flown and unflown articles since the early 1980s. I assumed it was simply the heat from the engines deforming the metal in some way, and never questioned it beyond that, nor gave it a second thought. Well done! Thank you for making these videos Scott.

[shadowraith]

Thanks for that. I suspect most F-1 engines on display wouldn't want to hide part of it under insulation. There was so much going on with them.The Saturn 5 was an amazing piece of engineering.

[Pnutt]

So glad I took your recommendation on the documentary. Saw it in Denver with friends and was absolutely blown away. The launch sequence got me extremely emotional for some reason, it was just the most epic thing I’ve ever seen. Thanks Scott

[hkhjg]

that footage is incredible. seeing something the size of a skyscraper take off never ceases to amaze me

[howtofocus]

“Industry standard Werner Von Braun for scale” 😂😂😂 so understated. Well done, Scott

[maxk]

First Man got it correct because instead of making the close up shots using expensive CGI which would then just go through a filter to make the footage look old anyway, they just used the incredible close up footage that NASA engineers shot already for analysis purposes. Good choice in my opinion, but I wouldn't give them full credit for getting every detail right in this case since it was just by default. Still an incredible film though (and after this I think I should go see Apollo 11)

Edit:
I had not yet seen Apollo 11 and so didn't realize it was made using entirely real footage, my bad. Just saw it and oh my god it was awesome!

[terpcj]

I've been adding the insulation to Saturn V models for quite a while now (not that I make a ton of them). Finding clear pictures of the engines was an interesting exercise -- especially before the Interweb references were fleshed out.

[rocketmentor]

That explains why the museum engines don't have the Inconel foil, it's only installed in the VAB just before launch and all Saturn's that were stacked were also launched never an abort and roll back to the VAB for de-stacking and mothballing. Excellent video as always Scott, Many thanks, Ken

[dongurudebro]

So even The F1 Engines are wearing Tin foil hats and they still tell us that there are no Alien out there!
Unbelievable! ;D

[Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

See this in IMAX if you possibly can. It's absolutely breathtaking. I had seen the footage of Apollo 11 that everyone has seen but much of this movie is new and it's spectacular. And this is an unobtrusive film. No narrator and 100% archival footage. The Sound and small amount of music somehow added drama to the already-dramatic and was very well done.

[laelienriviere]

I didn't know I needed this in my life.
Yet I did.
Thanks, Scott. Keep being amazing.

[matthewpurdon]

Looking at the images at between 2:20 and 2:40 its absolutely insane to think there are 3 humans strapped to the tip of that.

[ComandanteJ]

I cant stop hearing "Koyaanisquatsi...." whenever i see those slow-motion Saturn V launch shots.

[ColinWatters]

Fifty years after I watched Apollo flights on TV as a kid it's still possible to learn something new. Thanks.

[jwg]

I live in Huntsville and worked for the Space and Rocket Center for 9 years and helped design and construct his portion of the museum. I have also have spoken with his daughter and my wife works for NASA so I thought I would mention a two things.
1. The way he and his daughter pronounced “Braun” sounds like “Brown” and he even wrote “Brown” on their mail box to try and get us to say it correctly. I confirmed this when I spoke to his daughter face to face for 45 min as we had dinner at an event honoring her father.

2. Werner von Braun left his lunch box on top of the Saturn V Dynamic Test and is 363 feet tall on red stone arsenal and never went back to get it. He would eat lunch on top of the stand every day weather would allow to clear his thoughts. They used to take new hires up to the top to see it and to reflect on how their vision compares with Brauns. They stopped this now due to the condition the test stand is in now but still show a picture and ask you reflect.

Just some info most people don’t know.

[sidewalkere]

Having seen countlesse videos and photos of the saturn V, i'm banging my head on the wall for never had noticed that insulation..
Thank you, Scott!