All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Centuri - Moonraker {Kit} (5041, KB-11) [1973-1982]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Background (2016-08-21)

The 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 1, Parts (2016-08-22)

At $.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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 2, Fin Prep (2016-08-23)

I'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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 3, Fin Prep and Gluing (2016-08-24)

The 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 4, Nose Cone and Retainer Wire (2016-08-25)

At 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 5, Luglets and Retainer Wire (2016-08-26)

The 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 6, Paint and Chrome Trim (2016-08-27)

A 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11 Build, Part 7, Chrome Trim Placement (2016-08-28)

EDIT: 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 ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Moonraker #KB-11, Finished (2016-08-29)

This 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 ... [Read More]

Rocketeer's Corner: My first eBay rescues... (2017-09-23)

There are a few people on the forums who delight in buying old built kits on eBay for the purpose of transforming them into flyable pieces of art. I have never done this, but found the idea ... [Read More]