All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Centuri - Astro-1 {Kit} (5047, KB-17) [1969-1983]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1 Fins (2011-11-02)

There was some questions raised the YORF forum about the Centuri / Semroc Astro 1 rocket. At the right is the Semroc Astron, a slight downsize of the Astro 1 and still uses 18mm engines. Carl from ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 1 Parts and Choices (2016-03-07)

This is actually the Semroc kit, #KV-30. I'll be finishing it in the Centuri catalog paint schemes. I've always wanted to build one, going back to 1969. Many builders turned the fin around to where ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 2, Engine Mount (2016-03-08)

The engine mount tube has a small slit obviously cut with an X-acto knife. It's a short "stab" cut, not quite wide enough for the end of the engine hook. Make a small cut from the other side, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 3, Engine Mount (2016-03-09)

Here's how the Semroc instructions show the Kevlar tie. An overhand loop knot slips under the bend in the engine hook. I didn't tie a knot in the Kevlar, but simply twisted it under the line 3 or 4 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 4, Nose Cone and Fin Prep (2016-03-10)

Take an extra moment before screwing in the screw eye. Mark the center with a pencil. Rotate the nose cone and chances are that first mark won't be perfectly centered. Mark the center again. TIP: ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 5, Basics - Rounding Fin Sides (2016-03-11)

Once in a while I'll do a basic rocketry technique, there are some new builders following the blog. On the left is an Alpha style fin with sharp corners. On the right is the same fin silhouette ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 6, Fin Primer and Decals (2016-03-12)

The fins were set down on some sticky side up masking tape. The root edges are butted up against each other to keep the primer off an area that'll be glued. That's two sets of fins, I'm building two ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 7, Semroc Parachute (2016-03-13)

The print on the Semroc parachute sheet looks like the old Centuri chutes. The shroud line attachment is very different. If you were to tie the shroud line on before sticking down the disk, the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 8, Fin Gluing (2016-03-14)

The fin lines were drawn down the body tube with pencil. The primer was then sanded off with some old 220 grit on a block for a better gluing surface. I sanded down just to the white body tube. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 9, Fillets (2016-03-14)

After the fins are glued in place with white glue, Titebond M&TG is used for the fillets. If you use the right amount of pressure and apply the right amount of glue, the fillet should be pretty ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 10, Fin Border Decals, First Try (2016-03-15)

The 1972 Centuri Astro I catalog model had a black border line around the root edge of the fins. I tried a decal first. It wasn't successful. I printed up the decal at home and hit it with three ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 11, Fin Border Trim, Second Try (2016-03-16)

I went back to my old, standard trim material, the Contact Paper Blackboard Covering. It's stiffer and easier to place than a thin decal. Three strips were cut. The top of the hole position marked ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 12, Decal Wrap Fix (2016-03-17)

This is the second decal wrap I printed and it was still too wide! I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, I've had a few kit wrap decals that overlapped. I applied the wrap so the seam is right above the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Build, Part 13, Wrap Top Trim (2016-03-18)

There was a little clear edge that overlapped the top of the body tube. Another sharp razor blade was used to trim off the overhang. Wait until the decal is dry before doing a trim like this. The ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Finished (2016-03-19)

This is the 1971 catalog Astro 1. I'm still working out some masking problems I had on the 1969 version. It's a sharp design, 4" taller than the Estes (equivalent) Alpha. This was the starter rocket ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Second Build, Fix Mask, Part 1 (2016-06-06)

A while back I was building two Centuri Astro 1 models, one in the 1969 catalog motif, the other in the 1972 style. The 1972 model came out fine. I had some root edge masking problems with the 1969 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Second Build, Fix Mask, Part 2 (2016-06-07)

For once the wrap around decal I drew up fit the circumference of the body tube! Too bad I couldn't use it. On the left was the dry fit to see if it was close. After doing the transfer to the body ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Astro 1, Second Build, Finished (2016-06-08)

I'm glad to have this one finished. While the decal is easier, the Monokote and Contact Paper trim look better. The long orange stripe looks wider than the catalog art making me think there may have ... [Read More]

Wayne Hill's Blog: Model Rocket of the Week: Astro-1 (2011-10-07)

Many rocketeers from the golden age of rocketry were brought into the sport through beginners kits. The most famous kit was probably the Estes Alpha but many chose the Centuri Astro-1. The Astro-1 ... [Read More]