#11
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In the early to mid 70s, Centuri had the Exotic category nailed. The X-24 bug, Vulcan, the Super Kits . . . I was an Estes fan but felt like Centuri was beating the pants off of them in the fancy stuff category.
Estes came back strong soon after . . . but then, by then Centuri was just a convenience label. |
#12
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Centuri has my heart, Estes my wallet.
I was first and foremost a Centuri fan. To this day, they get my vote. Some Favorite exotics included (but not limited to)Skylab, X-24, ESS Raven, USS America, UFO Invader, Space Shuttle, Orion and SST. It wasn't until my Rocketry Rebirth that I came to appreciate the Estes classic exotics like the Mars Snooper, Interceptor (arguably their best), World Fed Star Probe, Starlab, Orbital Transport, S.S. Cassiopeia and the many more great designs some already mentioned. By volume alone, the case can be made they were best.
So for me, it is not really a question of who was best at exotics, but how many of these I could recreate with clone kits and scratch builds. I am a little ahead in the Estes lineup, but that is about where I should be with the greater number of offerings. Plus, they still have a few up their sleeves continuing to produce new kits, not just re-treads. I'll be busy for a while. |
#13
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Centuri had some GOOD exotics in their lineup, but their use of fibre/card board flat out STUNK.
Estes had some GREAT designs like the Mars Lander, Orbital Transport, Interceptor, Trident, and Sky Dart which were in an entire class above anything Centuri offered but the Enerjet Athena and maybe SST Shuttle.
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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 ! Last edited by ghrocketman : 06-20-2011 at 11:07 AM. |
#14
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toss-up
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Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati |
#15
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Fibre Board Offensive?
Just dont get the obvious distaste for the use of cardboard for fin material. I have a 37 year old KB-5 NOMAD that has taken the type of abuse no balsa fin or stabilizer would ever stand for. It has never detached, never dinged from its plastic cone and come in hot tail first on more than a few occasions. The ply did start to fray on a few occasions and was coaxed back to flat with thinned white glue. Overall, good material choice for some designs. Glad they were able to think outside the box and introduce different materials.
It also allows for some wicked fin designs that defy grain considerations without need for lamination. Tough to create, though; I've cut rings and some fins, sloppily. If only I had a laser cutter! |
#16
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Quote:
Gotta agree with you. One of my favourites (okay, probably my #1 all-time fav) is the SSV Scorpion. Fibre/cardstock parts made it possible. Loved the Centuri Super Series! For those alone I'd have to say they had the best exotics. Would love to see them come back.
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Kevin Drayson CAR S369 L4 RSO TRA L3 09738 NAR 90969 |
#17
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What weird timing.....I had the instructions for this kit out last night mulling over whether to put this vintage kit into the build que and I had the same thought: not sure that kit would have been possible without fiber parts, at least on some of those fin/wing cuts. I didn't dislike the fiber parts as a rule; in many cases they worked pretty well. The one attribute about them that I did not like was the different 'edge' left by the die cutting process. Actually, the die side of the cut was pretty clean with no crunching that could sometimes happen on balsa. BUT, the backside of the cut sheet sometimes had some pressure deformations (for lack of a better word) on the fiber board facing that would require some sanding and cleanup to look as smooth as the opposite side of the board. That was not a universal issue but I did find it a bother at times (a vintage Excalibur build a few months ago diplayed this issue on the fiber fins). Otherwise, I overall did not mind the fiber stuff. Earl
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Earl L. Cagle, Jr. NAR# 29523 TRA# 962 SAM# 73 Owner/Producer Point 39 Productions Rocket-Brained Since 1970 |
#18
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Quote:
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR Last edited by blackshire : 06-21-2011 at 02:04 AM. Reason: This ol' hoss done forgot somethin'. |
#19
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Centuri or Estes
I agree with Bob T.
I think Centuri was a leader with thier exotic designs and thinking outside the box. |
#20
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In my book for fins it can be balsa, ply, or basswood, plastic or even METAL fin cans, but NEVER el-cheapo FLIMSY cardboard.
__________________
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 ! |
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