Acquisition of Centuri.

__________________
Gravity is a harsh mistress
SAM 002
NAR 91005
"The complexity of living is eminently favored to the simplicity of not."

A dark day, indeed.

__________________
Bill Eichelberger
NAR 79563

http://wallyum.blogspot.com/

I miss being SAM 0058

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

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

Ready to fly: Estes - Solar Sailer II Semroc - Earmark, Groonie Der V 1/2

I got that information from JimZ. I just "assumed" he was correct and never checked it.

And I am now out of the ****pit nose cones.

Somebody just cleaned me out!

I just like typing ****pit 'cause it gets "bleeped" out!

****pit,****pit,****pit,****pit,****pit,****pit,** **pit,****pit.

How many times can I type that before I bring down the wrath od somebody?

__________________
"I'm a sandman. I've never killed anyone. I terminate runners when their time is up." Logan from "Logan's Run"

http://sandmandecals.com/

Estes was bought by Damon in September, 1969. Centuri (Lee Piester) was approached at NARAM in 1970 by Damon and the purchase of Centuri was apparently finalized by early the next year 1971.

Though I think the companies operated separately to a fair degree for several years thereafter, one can see some cross-pollination by '74 or so (Porta-Pad and Power Tower). As I understand it too, the Centuri motor plant in Phoenix was shut down by late '74 or thereabouts and Estes was (once again) making motors for both companies.

By the late 70s certainly there was even more parts sharing between the two and at some point, but I'm really sketchy on this part, orders for Centuri products were eventually shipped out of Penrose.

But my earlier question as to what kind of staff really remained in Phoenix by the early 80s and when did Centuri stuff start being handled almost completely out of Penrose still stands. I'd really love to know.


Earl

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

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

Jay,

As has been explained to me by a formed Estes employee, a lot of stuff that came over from Centuri just sat there in the Estes warehouse for YEARS and would eventually be picked up and dusted off, have a part or two changed due to availability of parts, and then sold either under the same or new name.

They probably are the same kit, but with different parts due to part availability. Remember, Centuri had those interesting sizes on their tubes: St-8, 10, 16, 20 ... its just my best guess!

Cool kit either way!!!

Jonathan

Earl,


Actually Lee and Vern were copying styles long before Estes was purchased by Damon

J

By the mid 70s it was more than simply copying styles.....they were using common parts. And by the early 80s certainly there were common nosecones, launchers, and launch controllers. They each had their own name for them, but in a number of instances they were the exact same part/item.


Earl

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

Rocket-Brained Since 1970

I remember several mail orders from Centuri that were postmarked..."penrose Colorado"....

The last new Centuri kits that included Centuri parts (body tubes, nose cones, etc.) were released in 1981. All of the new Centuri kits that were produced in 1982-1983 used Estes parts.

__________________
'Til next time,

Mike Toelle

NAR 31692 L1

SAM 0373

Yes, my last order or two from Centuri shipped out from Penrose as well. I just don't know and have never heard exactly when shipping operations (and design work as well I guess) shifted from Phoenix to Penrose.


Earl

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

Rocket-Brained Since 1970