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 Rocketry Product: Centuri - X-24 Bug {Kit} (5012, KA-12) [1972-1979]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Background (2016-05-22)

Here's one of the weird cardstock shroud model from Centuri, the X-24 BUG. This one was introduced in the 1972 catalog. From the catalog description: "Now it's easy to assemble your own model of the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 1, Printed Parts (2016-05-23)

You can find the scanned cardstock parts at: http://www.spacemodeling.org/JimZ/centuri/ka-12.pdf The fins are on Page 6, the body shroud is on Page 7. Pages 6 and 7 are printed on 110 lb. card ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 2, Parts Prep (2016-05-24)

The body skins were printed on 110 lb. stock. I didn't have the original model anymore but I think the parts were printed on heavier stock. I had to beef them up. Inkjet printed cardstock will have ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 3, Nose Cone and Engine Mount (2016-05-25)

The nose cone shoulder needed a better fit in the wider ST-7 tube. three strips of masking tape were placed on the shoulder. This left some exposed plastic for a better gluing area. I used the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 4, Cutting Out The Fins and Canopy (2016-05-26)

The scored lines (lines to be folded) on the fins and canopy were scored before cutting out the pieces off the sheet. It's just easier to score them ahead of time, a larger page is more stable under ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 5, Body Shroud Forming (2016-05-27)

The instructions show pre-curling the shroud under a ruler or over a table edge. I've never got good results this way. I'll usually end up with a crease line in the shroud. I could form this one ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 6, Body Shroud Gluing (2016-05-28)

I remember this step seemed wrong back in 1973! Why can't I remember the important things?  I would think the tape strip has to go on the other side of the shroud, on the glue tab side. If ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 7, Former Bulkhead Placement (2016-05-29)

No glue yet! Fitting the bulkhead former is the hardest part of the build. You are tempted to push the former in so the shroud is touching all sides of the former. If you push too hard the sharp ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 8, Former Bulkhead Adjustments (2016-05-30)

I held the shroud up to a bright light and could the former was being bent and pushed in at an angle. The corrugated cardboard was a good "soft" bulkhead but was distorting under the pressure ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Old Saturn V / X-24 Combo Launch (2016-05-30)

Frank Claunch sent me an email -  Hi Chris, A little X-24 tidbit. Frank Thanks Frank, I actually got that one in the mail from Enerjet/Centuri way back when. I wonder if anybody other than ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Bug Build, Part 9, Canopy and Launch Lug Supports (2016-05-31)

If you haven't scored the canopy, do so before trying to glue it together. A slip of paper was slid under the glue tab to keep the glue stick off the printed right side. Long tweezers were used to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Build, Part 10, Former Gluing and Engine Mount (2016-06-01)

A line of glue was placed around the top of the engine mount tube. Press the engine tube and former into the shroud until the sides form the cone into a soft triangle shape. Press in place for a ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: More X-24s! (2016-06-02)

Email from Frank Claunch, Built these over the last few days - Not only did Frank build them, he drew up the new skins! After these three X-24s were made, Frank made a few corrections to the art. ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Build, Part 11, Canopy and Wing Gluing (2016-06-02)

TIP: Use white glue for all the outside surface parts! White glue dries clear, Titebond or Carpenter's Glue will show up as yellow on the finished model. Here's how the nose end turned out. The body ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Build, Part 12, Reinforcement (2016-06-03)

I remember my original X-24 Bug got a little banged up on the rear cone edge and fins. I cut some Scotch tape and stuck it over the bottom rear of the cone body. This adds no real weight and ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Build, Part 13, Glide Tests (2016-06-04)

The instructions say to start with half the clay provided in the kit. Who knows how much clay was included in the kit? I started out with 1/8 oz. and added clay until I got a "glide" of about 10 to ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: Centuri X-24 Build, Finished (2016-06-06)

This one brought back a lot of memories. I was surprised how well the online scan printed up and turned into a pretty good build. The conical Estes nose cone worked well as a substitute for the ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: An Email From Larry Brown (2016-08-27)

I just got this email from Larry Brown. He must have ran across the blog doing a search of the X-24. This letter gives some insight into the X-24 Bug development. As Larry explains, he did a lot of ... [Read More]

Model Rocket Building: NARCON Manufacturers Forum (2021-01-30)

The "virtual" NARCON is actually a great value at $25.00, considering you usually pay for  gas, hotel and food.  The Zoom style broadcast had some issues. T he format is fairly new to all ... [Read More]