For the 1:59 scale Saturn, I used an unusual method of "mitering" the ends of the tank tubes to fit over a conical shroud rather than fitting within the shroud.  The following page will show how one can develop a template for cutting this part from a tube or to make a cardstock part that can be rolled into a tube.  Click on any small drawing for a larger version.  Feel free to print the larger drawings as a visual aid.

Before you can begin...

You need at least three pieces of information before you can begin:

-Tail section outside diameter
-Tank tube outside diameter
-Tank spacing (typically the outer diameter of the tank cluster)

These dimensions will vary due to scale and the parts used.  If part sizes are "fudged" in any way, some time may need to be spent arranging the parts in CAD to optimize the layout, minimizing variation from true scale as much as possible.  When the layout is finally settled, you can  move on to step 1.

Steps 1 through 4 are the same drawing process used in PART 2, although the text descriptions may be slightly different.

NOTE:  Many of the following drawings have been simplified for clarity.  Superfluous overlapping lines and arcs have been cut to make the drawings appear cleaner than the original.  Also, note the line color changes from each step to the next.  Typically (but not always), red denotes current drawing activity and gray shows items that were previously drawn.  Some lines (new and old) remain black for clarity.

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Step 1 Begin by drawing the top view as shown using known dimensions.  Add an additional circle that intersects the center points of the tank tubes (this will serve as the top of the cone that the tanks sit on). The side view is developed using the top view and is aligned directly beneath the top view.  The triangle's sides are 60° relative to the base. Note:  If your model's design requires a different cone top diameter or height (as the 1:59 scale model did), you will need to modify the drawing of your cone accordingly.

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Step 2 Separate the righthand tank tube into 16 slices.  One way to accomplish this is to draw a single line of a different color, then use the Radial-Copy tool.

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Step 3 Using the center points of the large circles, draw concentric circles or arcs (I use the Circle Center and Point tool) through the intersection of the lines (from Step 2) and the tank tube, making sure that the arcs intersect the horizontal tank centerline.  Notice that not all segments are used to draw the arcs; only one arc left of the inner circle is drawn. Note:  If your cone top is of a smaller relative diameter, you may need to draw additional arcs through the remaining line segments from Step 3.  I do this by default, simply to give myself plenty of "wiggle-room" for potential changes in design.  The important thing, however, is to make sure you have at least one arc drawn to the LEFT of the cone top circle.

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Step 4 Draw vertical lines (I typically use the Parallel Line tool) through the intersection of the arcs (in Step 3) and the horizontal tank centerline, down to intersect the right side of the triangle.  Also draw a line down  from the right-most edge of the tank.

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