Centuri - Payloader (KB-4) Gallery

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Micromeister

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One of the early Payload models in first fleet they Centuri Kc-20 Payloader-II was alway a great little 18mm motor workhorse. I used it often at Grade and Middle school flight demos showing youngsters some of the neat things that could be flown (other then animals and insects). Night lighting, acceleration graph/carbon paper plots, Locator buzzers...etc.
My little 2.6X, T3(.375") diameter downscale won't quite allow the same experiments but does in fact have room for a single LED night flying fixture.
At an Empty weight of 7.9grams with it's 1"x 15" Red Teflon streamer it comes back slowly from nice 100foot plus flights.

Post copied with permission

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Love to have the Original Centuri version. Got a little rushed for time on this one; flaws and so forth, but really dig the look of it.

Payloader27-25-2011011.jpg


Payloader27-25-2011009.jpg


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I've always liked that rocket. Of course, I'm a Centuri fan and there weren't too many designs they produced that I didn't like. Nice job and I hope it flies well for you.
 
Welcome to the Centuri - Payloader (KB-4) Gallery on TRF.

This gallery showcases the Centuri - Payloader (KB-4) and those rockets derived from it. Particularly appropriate in this thread are the following:


Centuri: Payloader: KB-4
Centuri: Payloader II: KC-20 or #5080
Estes: Payloader II: #3022
McCoy's Micro Wonder Works (MMWW): Payloader II: #354



as well as any upscales, downscales, clones, kitbashes or other derivative works. Even Goonies qualify!

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Centuri Payloader II (KC-20 or #5080) Basic Information.

centuri_engineering.gif
Centuri Engineering

Payloader II, Payloader (Not to be confused with the original Payloader KB-4)

KC-20 or #5080

Introduced: 1965
Final Year: 1981
Designer:

Type: Sport/Payload
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 18.5"
Diameter: 1.04"
Span:
Weight: 1.2 oz

Mfg. Description: New larger improved version of Centuri's famous Payloader. Larger, more spacious see-thru payload capsule permits launching of bigger payloads. Payloader II is an excellent kit for both the beginning and advanced rocketeer. Terrific for demonstrations and displays. Study the effects of acceleration on insects and small animal life with assured safe recovery. (Centuri 1965 Catalog)

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Terrific for demonstrations and displays. Large, spacious see-thru payload capsule permits launching of insects or other small animal life to study acceleration effects, with assured safe recovery. Launch crickets, beetles, ants, and other insects to high altitudes. Colorful parachute recovery system. (Centuri 1967 Catalog)

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Text of 1968 Catalog identical to 1967 Catalog

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Great beginner kit! Terrific for displays and demonstrations. Clear plastic capsule permits launching of insects or other small animal life to study acceleration effects. Launch crickets, beetles, grasshoppers and ants to high altitudes. Both capsule and rocket return safely by colorful parachute. Easy to build kit includes decals and complete instructions. (Centuri 1969 Catalog)

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Great beginner kit! Terrific for displays and demonstrations. Plastic capsule permits launch and recovery of insects for acceleration studies. Both capsule and rocket return safely by colorful chute. Decals included (Centuri 1970 Christmas Catalog)

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Clear plastic capsule permits launching of insects or other small animal life to study acceleration effects. Launch crickets, beetles, grasshoppers, and ants to high altitudes. Both capsule and rocket return safely by colorful parachute. Easy to build kit -- includes decals and complete instructions. (Centuri 1971 Catalog)



centuri-payloader%20ii-1965%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1965 Catalog
centuri-payloader%20ii-1967%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1967 Catalog
centuri-payloader%20ii-1969%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1969 Catalog

centuri-payloader%20ii-1970%20xmas%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1970 Christmas Catalog
centuri-payloader%20ii-1971%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1971 Catalog
centuri-payloader%20ii-1972%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1972 Catalog

centuri-payloader%20ii-1979%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1979 Catalog
centuri-payloader%20ii-1980%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1980 Catalog

First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.
 
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MMWW Payloader II (#354) Basic Information.

MMWW.gif
McCoy's Micro Wonder Works (MMWW)

(Centuri) Payloader II

#354

Introduced: 2008
Final Year:
Designer: John McCoy

Type: Payload/Downscale
Motor Mount: 1x6mm
Recovery: Streamer
Stages: 1
Length: 6.53"
Diameter: 0.375"
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description: T-3 Payloader II - 2.77 Downscale (Plan)


First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.
 
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Estes Payloader II (#3022) Basic Information.

estes.gif
Estes Industries

Payloader II

#3022

Introduced: 2010
Final Year:
Designer:

Type: Sport/Payload
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 17"
Diameter: 0.98"
Span:
Weight: 1.2 oz

Mfg. Description: The Payloader II is yet another great rocket from days gone by. Another great addition to our "Classic Series" line, this rocket is a must-have for all serious rocketeers! Estes is once again proud to re-introduce you to another Classic!

A high quality wood nose cone, laser cut wood fins and waterslide decals mimic the original kit. Any changes Estes made only enhanced this classic kit. (Estes 2011 Web Ad)

estes-payloader%20ii-2010%20cat%20livery.jpg
Estes 2010 Catalog

estes-payloader%20ii-facecard.jpg


First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.
 
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Centuri Payloader (KB-4) Basic Information.

centuri_engineering.gif
Centuri Engineering

MODEL NAME: Payloader Also known as:

NUMBER: KB-4

Introduced: 1962
Final Year: 1964
Designer:

Type: Payload
Motor Mount: 1x18mm
Recovery: Parachute
Stages: 1
Length: 15"
Diameter:
Span:
Weight:

Mfg. Description: Low-drag design permits high altitude exposure of live payloads such as crickets, lizards, insects, etc. Plastic see-thru payload compartment in nose and mid-section. Can be coupled with booster kit below for two-stage operation. (Centuri 1962 Catalog)


Advertising Liveries

centuri-payloader%20kb4-1962%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1962 Catalog
centuri-payloader%20kb4-1964%20cat%20livery.jpg
Centuri 1964 Catalog


Face Card(s)



Instruction Header(s)





First post in this thread featuring this rocket.

See Also: LINKS
EMRR
RocketReviews
Mfg. Page


If you have any additional information on this rocket and/or catalog photos please let us know.
 
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John, this thread is lost—as are several others from the Centuri Gallery.

This is the Estes Payloader II with a cut-down payload section and a Semroc nose cone to make it more closely resemble the original Centuri version. The only thing that is off is the diameter of the body tube. The original Centuri ST-10 tube was slightly larger.

 
I am in the planning stages of building an upscale model of the 1970 Centuri Payloader ii, which was my first rocket. That rocket was donated to the universe after a couple of flights when it sailed away in an stout Oklahoma "breeze". I have read all the information I could find on the Centuri Payloader ii and am still wrestling with a question or two about the rocket (finding the 1970 Centuri Christmas Catalog on the Ninfinger link brought back many found memories). The 1970 rocket is listed as 18.5 inches tall.

The problem with that is, none of the variables of nose cone sizes or payload tube lengths sum to 18.5 inches, when you add in 1/4 to 5/16ths of an inch of height added by the fins extending below the body tube. The 4.5 inch nose cone (plastic), the 3.5 inch payload and 10.5 inch body tube equal 18.5 inches but, surely Centuri didn't determine the rocket height sans the fins.

As this post has not been updated in a few years, I was wondering if anyone had come across the specs of the Centuri Payloader ii since it this thread was started.
 
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