Tim-

Looks like you may have a bit of a 'transitional' kit there, what with the plastic nose cone (a late 1969, early 1970 change from balsa...the updated instructions for that have a 1969 copyright date).

And shortly after, say by '71 or '72, Centuri switched many of the clear payload tube rockets (like this and the Payloader II) from three inch plastic payload tubes to two inches. However, yours still sports the longer three inch payload tube.

Its a good lookin' bird...good luck with the final finish choices and decals. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

Earl

__________________
Earl L. Cagle, Jr.
NAR# 29523
TRA# 962
SAM# 73
Owner/Producer
Point 39 Productions

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Earl,

That is the conclusion I came to that this was a 69/70'ish era kit.

And thanks for the compliment. If there is anything I can screw up, it's the paint job.

__________________
Tim

"You know, it, uh, won't fly unless somebody pushes the button." From the movie October Sky.

I am SAM # 0167
NAR 98303 Southwestern Ohio Rocketry Association (SORA) #624
https://www.rocketryohio.com

Dad used to say that anything worth doing was worth doing well.

It sounds like you've *got* this one.

__________________
Jay Goemmer
"Centuri Guy"/"Tau Zero"
YORF Member 28
Semroc SAM #0029
NAR 86131


"I think about organizing things all the time. Never seems to happen. I find something that piques my interest and I'm off on a quest. Or a Centuri. "

--Bill Eichelberger, 02/22/2022


“Centuri fret buzz in an updated form.”
Bill “Wallyum” Eichelberger re: Estes Flutter-By
03 Sept 2014

Tim,

Very cool project! I’m impressed with your dedication — that restoration might be a bit more than I’d tackle.

But, you have inspired me to maybe start one of my simpler rebuild candidates.

__________________
Lee Reep
NAR 55948

Projects: Semroc Saturn 1B, Ken Foss Designs Mini Satellite Interceptor
In the Paint Shop: Nothing! Too cold!
Launch-Ready: Farside-X, Maxi Honest John, Super Scamp

Wow, excellent job on this T-Bird rehab Tim. When you are finished you’ll have a rocket you can really be proud of.

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

I don't remember seeing pre-installed engine mounts in LPR Centuri kits.
I know they installed mounts in the larger Mini-Max kits.

Nice work on the rehab!
I wonder if the ink used on the pre-printed fin sheets ever showed through white paint?

__________________
Hans "Chris" Michielssen
Old/New NAR # 19086 SR

www.oddlrockets.com
www.modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com
http://www.nar.org/educational-reso...ing-techniques/
Your results may vary
"Nose cones roll, be careful with that."
Every spaceman needs a ray gun.
Look out - I'm the Meister Shyster!

If one prepped the wood properly with opaque Balsa Fillercoat and Sanding Sealer, it would never show thru to white paint.

__________________
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 !

Tim, about the decals if it were me I'd leave them and mask them off and paint and keep the other original Centuri decals for another day. The decals on your model look pretty good.
I say "if it were me" because I've never printed my own decals, but I plan to pick the brains of members here on suggestions on how to do that one day but in my situation I'd rather have the originals to use for another day.

__________________
Steve Naquin
TRA# 677 L2
NAR# 85518 L2
SAM# 0052

🚀 In Construction: Der Blue Maxx/Minie-Magg 5.5” & Vander-Burn MDRM Clone w/Stickershock23 Custom Decals
🚀 In Paint & Detail: USR Banshee
🚀 In Build Queue: Estes Doorknob w/Vander-Burn Rocketry Upgrade Kit [Sport Decor], Semroc Centurion-F, Semroc Egg Crate
🚀 In Repair: SLS Lil’ Hustler, SLS Aero-Dart 1969 Trim
🚀 Stay Tuned For Fall 2021 Launch Dates

In order to be able to print the decals, you'd need a scan of an original set. Looks like it would be an easy project, but I haven't been able to find a scan out there.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

Build floor: Estes - Low Boom SST Semroc - Marauder, Shrike, SST Shuttle

In paint: Canaroc Starfighter Scorpion Centuri Mini Dactyl Estes F-22 Air Superiority Fighter, Multi-Roc, Solar Sailer II, Xarconian Cruiser Semroc Cyber III

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark

I kinda like the model as-is, after the cleanup, with the old paint showing in the grain and the ink showing on the fins. It just needs some patina on that shiny nose cone. Am I the only one?

__________________
I love sanding.