Ye Olde Rocket Forum - Coaster Corp Founder Passes

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- Model Rocket History (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2)

- - Coaster Corp Founder Passes (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=11505)

pcavender

08-22-2012 10:41 AM

Coaster Corp Founder Passes

Having looked around your forum before I noticed some excitement/interest regarding Coaster Corporation. I thought some members might like to know that Menford L Sutton passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012. I have attached a link for his obituary.

http://www.wadefamilyfuneralhome.co...rd/obituary.php

I am honored to have called him Gramps for all these years. I have fond memories as a kid of launching rockets he built to celebrate the 4th of July holidays.

stefanj

08-22-2012 11:56 AM

I'm sorry to hear the news . . . thank you for letting us know.

In addition to his contributions to rocketry, it looks like he had quite a life.

RIP.

Rocketflyer

08-22-2012 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcavender

Thank you for the post and link.
Coaster motors were the first 'big' motors I ever flew. What a thrill to hear them ignite and roar skyward. Flew many of them.

sam_midkiff

08-22-2012 12:16 PM

The obituary says one of his rockets is still in production after 50 years -- anyone know which is is?

Sam

Jerry Irvine

08-22-2012 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link to obit

ML was enthralled with rocketry and was a pioneer in the model rocketry industry. In the late 1950’s, he and partner Gene Dickerson started Coaster Corporation, a maker and marketer of model rockets. ML’s model rockets were industry leaders. According to Bell Helicopter News, one, the four foot tall Mercury, flew faster than the speed of sound at an altitude of more than half a mile. In 1963, ML and his partner sold Coaster Corporation and its asset ultimately became a part of Estes Industries, the world leader in model rocketry. One model rocket developed by ML Sutton is still in production after more than fifty years.

One wonders which one model rocket the last sentence refers to.

I also wonder how or if he is related to Sutton, George P.

Jerry

Coaster customer

pcavender

08-22-2012 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_midkiff

The obituary says one of his rockets is still in production after 50 years -- anyone know which is is?

Sam

I am not certain which model is still in production but I will ask my family and see if anyone knows.

pcavender

08-22-2012 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Irvine

One wonders which one model rocket the last sentence refers to.

I also wonder how or if he is related to Sutton, George P.

Jerry

Coaster customer

Jerry
I am not aware of any close relatives by the name of George P. Sutton.
Phill

Earl	08-22-2012 06:16 PM

Yes, it appears a solid and commendable life that 'mattered' compared to seemingly so many from subsequent generations that just seem to 'exist'.

Earl

Carl@Semroc

08-22-2012 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam_midkiff

The obituary says one of his rockets is still in production after 50 years -- anyone know which is is?

Sam

Our Lil' Centauri is a 1/2 scale of his design from 1959. It tied his two hobbies, model aviation and model rocketry, into one great looking design. His Coaster Super-Jet engines became Centuri Atlas/Hercules/Mini-Max engines and set the standard for mid-power model rocket engines in the early days.

RIP Mr. Sutton. You will always be remembered as one of the founders and pioneers of model rocketry.

pcavender

08-23-2012 07:40 PM

Carl
Yes his Centauri design did not have a parachute recovery. The engine ejected releasing a rubber band that lowered the additional wings and the rocket glided down to recovery. I was examining the original full scale prints last night. Thanks for continuing to build your design.
Phill

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