Model Rocket Building Blog
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, BackgroundThe Centuri Moonraker was introduced in the 1973 catalog. New kits and supplies were added as extra pages to the outside of the 1972 catalog format. To see this page, CLICK HERE A few of the new kits had "pre-cut fibre fins". The fin material was like mat board, approximately .050" thick. This ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 1, PartsAt $.85 how could you go wrong? This was one of those models you'd throw to get your order total high enough for free shipping. I would think the price of the packaging was more expensive than the actual parts in the kit. For such a little rocket there are some few, interesting parts. Taped to the ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 2, Fin PrepI'll be spending some time on the fibre fins. Most builders would simply punch them out and immediately glue them to the body. Die cut fibre (mat board) fins require some edge prep to get smooth. The hold down tabs were larger than normal. Don't punch these fins out! You would end up with more to ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 3, Fin Prep and GluingThe outside fin edges got a smoothed bead of white glue. After that dried it was rounded and smoothed with 400 grit. Another bead of glue and smooth sanding followed. The glue bead seals the exposed edges and prevents delamination. It also gives a slight rounded edge to the fin. The fins were ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 4, Nose Cone and Retainer WireAt first I couldn't find the nose cone gluing tab. It was stuck under the "Spec-plate" stapled to the face card. The gluing tab is a pressure sensitive (peel and stick) paper. It is stuck to the nose cone shoulder giving the white glue something to adhere to. The tab in my kit was much larger than ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 5, Luglets and Retainer WireThe launch "luglets" are short and easy to misplace. Assemble the segments using an engine casing and visually align the lugs. Here's how the wire overhangs the back end of the single upper section fin. Slide the back section and bend the end down over the casing end. With a casing in place the ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 6, Paint and Chrome TrimA white undercoat was sprayed. After it dried I could see glue boogers and some areas that needed cleaning up. On the left are the sanded ridges left from the Titebond M&TG. To the right are the sanded nose cone joint and body tube seam. As mentioned in other builds, the sanded white ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 7, Chrome Trim PlacementEDIT: I don't recommend using this wrap around this Monokote trim method I tried here. Over time, the trim strip lifted where it folded over the leading edges of the fins. The trim strips can be difficult to set down parallel to the root edge. Thin strips of masking tape were set down to the ...[Read More]
Centuri Moonraker #KB-11, FinishedThis is a tiny rocket! You would need others to help track both sections after ejection and don't launch it in high grass. Centuri wisely only recommends 1/2A6-4, A5-4 and A8-5 engines. "More powerful engines (B4-6, B6-6 and C6-7) may be used, but there is little chance of seeing and recovering ...[Read More]
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