I have some MRI pictures Myke sent me and an email correspondence from the early 2000s that I will post as soon as I find them.

__________________
"Old Rocketeer's don't die; they just go OOP".....unless you 3D print them.

Thanks, Terry. Looking forward to seeing them!

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Here's a link to some insightful Myke Begenske memories shared by Chris Michielsson back in March 2011, on his Model Rocket Building site: http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot...s-answered.html

And here's another remembrance and photo of Myke Bergenske from Chris (hcmbanjo) in this post from December 23, 2018: https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/sho...01&postcount=16

Bob Sanford (Initiator001) also shared some insightful memories that help explain a good bit of the history of Myke Bergenske's involvement in model rocketry in this post from July 19, 2017: https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/sho...171&postcount=1

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Just a few photos. I remember making one AVI order, but never received anything.

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__________________
Dale Windsor
NAR 12081, TRA 1795 L3
SoAR 004, TARA 005, MDRA 032

L1 cert: AAA Magnum PA Crude/Vulcan H100 Smokey Sam
L2 cert: LOC/Precision Magnum/Aerotech J350
L3 cert: Smokin' Rockets Nike Smoke/Aerotech M1315

Dale, I think those MRI kits are pretty darn scarce.

Hi Dale,
Wow, that's a pretty nice round-up of MRI/AVI kits!

Here's my pair of MRI Theta 37's with different face cards. I'm not sure if the face cards changed after AVI started selling the MRI kits or if there were multiple versions early on before AVI. Anybody know?

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

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Here's a photo of the AVI Lineaus Gigantus kit that Tom Lyon posted on https://www.facebook.com/pg/MRI-AVI...28554289/posts/.

Stefanj,
Congrats on your $50 winnings from the AVI Design Contest! Do you still happen to have a photo or drawing of your "Congreve" AVI contest winning design that you can share please?

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

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I honestly don't remember much about the Congreve. It was a spaceship with outrigger pods. My craftsmanship back then was embarassing.

* * *

RE MRI kits and AVI:

AVI sold original stock MRI kits through the mid 70s. I bought a bunch, still have the instruction sheets for a couple. Maybe a parachute as well.

Late in its history, AVI sold "reproduction" MRI kits with photocopied instruction sheets, presumably using AVI era parts. I don't recall the header, if any.

I wish I had done a better job with the MRI kits, and kept them. I recall having a Lepus and a Zeus and a Flare. Maybe a couple of others.

I reproduced a Lepus a few years ago, using best-guest fin patterns and original MPC / AVI parts. It flew really well, zooming off the pad on a A8-5. I tempted fate and flew it on a C6-7, only to have it disappear over some farm houses.

__________________
NAR #27085 - Oregon Rocketry - SAM

Here's some photos Myke sent me back in 2008 about MRI.
below is a partial timeline created from a conversation with Myke:

MRI-MPC-AVI Timeline

1964 the conceptual basis for MRI is born.
Winter 68-69 MRI displays at the HIAA Trade SHow

G. Harry Stine had this to say about Myke and MRI:

"a new firm in the model rocket business whose products are found only in hobby shops, Model Rocket Industries is headed by the team of Myron Bergenske and Ron Day.
"Myke" Bergenske is studying for his Doctorate in Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin and specializes in the study of magnetic field effects on stellar structure.
Mike launched his first home-made rockets in 1949 and became a model rocketeer as soon as the first kits and motors became available from Model Missiles, Inc. in 1958.
He handles all of the research an development for MRI while his partner, Ron Day, handles production, Management and merchandising.
Ron is another old-time model rocketeer who has been building and flying all sorts of models all his life."


12/68 (approx.)Christmas J.C. Penny Ad in J.C. Penny Christmas catalog

1/69 Jim Kukowski does a Build article on the MRI Icarus in Air SPace Model magazine.
4/21/69 MRI is offically sold to GMI and will serve as the basis for MPC.
7/69(approx) G.Harry Stine was retained as a consultant to MPC.
This was announced in the 10/69 issue of MRm.
8/69 August 1971 MPC is introduced to the (NAR)model rocketry world at NARAM-11 at the AFA in Colorado Springs Co.
Prior to this Michigan schoolkids and teachers had been introduced to MRI/MPC model rockets.
11/69 New product News announcement about MPC. First full page MPC ad. In Model Rocketry magazine.
4/71 MPC Minijets and Minrocs introduced at MIT Convention
11/1/71 MPC does not renew G. Harry Stine's consultant contract.
Announced by G. Harry Stine on 11/15/71 letter; to Model Rocketeer mag in Feb 1972 issue.
1/72 (approx.) 4/72 issue of Model Rocketeer: last MPC ad.
5/72 (approx.) 8/72 First AVI ad in Model Rocketeer mag.
6/72(approx.) 9/72 G.Harry Stine resigns from NARBOT to pursue other interests.(see below)
6/72 (approx.) MPC-AVI joint announcement in 9/72 Model Rocketeer
8/72 Gil Lutz Represents AVI at NARAM-14.
8/72 (approx.) G. Harry Stine is appointed Manager, Product and Programs for AVI .
In Nov 1972 Model Rocketeer.

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__________________
"Old Rocketeer's don't die; they just go OOP".....unless you 3D print them.

Wow, Terry! Thanks for sharing all the great historical information and photos! That's some really cool stuff!

I see from one of the photos you posted that the MRI Theta 37 kit had yet another version of facecard different from the other two I already showed in post #37 of this thread.

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR