Centuri Aero-Dyne
 

This was an early three stage Centuri bird. There's a drawing that I could use to make a go of cloning it, but the total length is missing from the 1964 catalog. Anyone have an idea what the length could be? http://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ca...64/64cen14.html

Huh, that looks like something fun to clone. Diameter looks a bit larger than ST-7, judging by the engine sticking out of the back. ST-8 maybe?

This was the predecessor of the T-Bird which was ST-10 tube (approx 1 in dia). But, not sure this bird is quite that large. I think ST-8 tubing was introduced by Centuri in '67, so this probably predates that. Could be ST-7 stuff, but not sure.

I would like to know, if anyone has the specs, or, more specifically, if anyone has the instruction sheet. I've never even seen a photo this kit anywhere outside the catalog. One of only about three Centuri kits that I have not been able to find.

Earl

I got to fooling around with it during lunch and I'm pretty sure I have things pretty close. By tonight I should have a pretty good approximation worked up. I plan to send off an order to eRockets for the parts some time tomorrow, so I'll post what I come up with.

Or I could do it now. I've come up with a total length of 16' with a 7.5" main ST-7 tube and two 2.75" boosters. The nose cone looks like it could be the SEM-BC-727 that is the same as the cone used in the Sky Hook. That's ominous. I have a bad history with Sky Hooks.

Do you think "simplified stage coupling technique" means outside couplers, like the Black Widow?

That's what I'm assuming.

Your measurements seem about right to me. I would have went with 3-inch boosters.

Even if you don't have the scale cloned just right, you will probably have a perfectly cloned flight. 1st stage recovered by pad, 2nd stage lost in the trees, 3rd stage last seen about 1/2 mile down range because the thing weathercocked so bad with all that fin area!

I have two 3-stagers ready to fly. The Semroc Cyber III and the MPC Microsonde III Payloader. I plan to go A8-0/A8-0/A8-5 on the first flight for both. Second flight will be B6s. Then we'll have some huntin' to do. :cool: