All Rocketry Blogs

 Rocketry Product: Centuri - Vulcan {Kit} (5010, KA-10) [1972-1981]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 1 Parts (2012-04-21)

This is another I wanted to build since first seeing it in the 1971 Centuri catalog. Definitely different, a combination of conical stability and card stock wedge fins. PDF Prints and Centuri ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Part 2 Scoring Cardstock (2012-04-22)

Because I used a single 9" long piece of ST-7 tubing and dropped the engine hook, you can skip Steps 1 - 5 in the Centuri instructions. You don't have to join two separate pieces of body tube. All ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 3 Fins and Canopies (2012-04-23)

Here's all three fins, lower air scoop and squared canopy. You are given two different canopies to pick from. The rounded canopy took a little extra effort to get right. As done before with shrouds, ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 4 Rear Bulkhead (2012-04-23)

The bulkhead print was glued to a piece of framing mat material. TIP: You can pick up mat material scraps from a frame shop for next to nothing, sometimes free! It's strong and great for home made ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 5 Bulkhead Ridge (2012-04-24)

Sand the edge at an slight angle to match the inside wall of the body shroud cone. The angle in the picture is a little exxagerated for clarity. Try to match the angle of the finished cone. This ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 6 Cone Shaping (2012-04-24)

Wash and thoroughly dry your hands before making the printed cone shroud. Any oil or dirt on your hands will transfer onto the printed surface. Step 13 of the Centuri instructions have you pull the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 7 Cone Gluing (2012-04-25)

When the edges are lined up from top to bottom, burnish down the tape on the inside. Here I'm using an engine casing stuck in a dowel to roll over the tape edge. White glue was set on one side on a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 8 Engine Mount Gluing (2012-04-25)

Because we're using on continuous 9" length of ST-7 tubing, you con't be joining two separate pieces with a coupler shown in the instructions. With a file, the thrust ring (engine block, or whatever ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 9 Internal Tube Plan (2012-04-26)

Test fit the internal tube before gluing to the top of the cone. My tube fit was too tight! I didn't want it to swell up the joint and break the glue joint. I decided to cut away about 3/32" from ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 10 Rod Slot Cutting (2012-04-26)

NOTE: Doing an internal lug requires a long slot to be cut in the conical body. After the model was finished, I wished I had just glued the lug under a fin like the Centuri instructions showed. With ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 11 Rear Bulkhead Gluing (2012-04-27)

Slowly advance the bulkhead over the motor mount tube and launch lug. Try to keep it level as you get nearer to the cone sides. If you press it in crooked, you might not be able to pull it back and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 12 Fin Gluing (2012-04-27)

The fins and air scoop were harder to glue in place than I would have thought. The "Double-Glue" technique might help here. The first side of the fins glues on without too much problem. Here I'm ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 13 The Rod Slot! (2012-04-28)

After I thought the model was finished, I went back and checked the lug and rod slot. THERE WAS TOO MUCH LUG BINDING THROUGH THE FRONT SLOT! The slot had to be extended to 3" long! In the original ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Part 14 Nose Cone Weight (2012-04-28)

You'll need a hollow plastic nose cone for this build. Almost 1/2 oz. of clay nose weight will need to be added. That's a lot of washers to be screwed on if you were to use a balsa cone. Looking at ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Build Finished (2012-04-30)

Once all the parts were collected and printing done, this was actually a fast build. The picture on the right shows the final rod slot under the nose. If I were to make another, I'd follow the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Which Glues for LPR Building? TIPS (2020-05-02)

On TRF. Alan R wrote: I think the most asked glue question is: "What is the best glue". The answer to that is "The one that works" I only do low power stuff, short list: Paper to paper - white ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri Vulcan Prototype and Production Kits (2012-04-14)

The top picture shows the Centuri Vulcan as seen in the 1971 catalog. The bottom picture is my finished clone. Look close and you can see the differences in the body graphics. After building the ... [Read More]