Saturn V unboxing comparison: Estes #2157 circa 2016 vs. Centuri # 2140 (not KS-12

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I recently was able to obtain an old Centuri 2140 (thought it was KS-12, but double checked)
Saturn V in opened but pretty good condition. A while back, I also picked up an Estes #2157 in opened condition as well (for $20!) I think it is the 2016 version.

I'm going to post some pictures in this thread of the contents of each box.

 

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2157 first. This seems pretty close to the recent release of the #1969 that I built last year.

 

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Wraps are pretty sturdy

 

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Everything else as you'd expect

 

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Here's the Centuri photos:
All of the tubes feel VERY thin and squishable.

 

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The decal sheet looks pretty much identical. I don't think they've changed this much over the years.
The centering rings are NEW and IMPROVED, and made of cardboard rather than balsa.

Balsa fins- here is a sheet, cut out the fins.

 

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I did not open the parachute package, nor the nozzle/tower package. It still has that 1970's air in there.
Note the inclusion of contact cement for the wraps.

 

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Wraps also feel a little flimsier than modern ones.

 

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Instructions, plus tech manual on clustering, plus nice information about the history of Saturn V included.

 

[5x7]

The Centuri looks like the one I built in the early 80s. Are there clear slip on fins in the bag?

 

[hutch]

The Centuri looks like the one I built in the early 80s. Are there clear slip on fins in the bag?

Yes there are! You can't quite see them in the picture.

 

[5x7]

Thanks, which bag are they in? My kit was missing the bag with the chutes.

 

[hutch]

Thanks, which bag are they in? My kit was missing the bag with the chutes.

They are in the bag with the nozzles and the launch towers. Neither that bag nor the parachute bag look like they have ever been opened. I wonder how "fresh" that glue is!

 

[5x7]

The glue I got in mine was dried up when I got it, possibly around 1980. I used plastic cement so the wraps are not the best. I would like to finish mine with the original capsule and tower but don’t have the tower. If you don’t intend to to use yours, please let me know.

 

[dpower]

Cool! The chrome SM wrap is something that would've been nice for the newer kits. With the clear slip-over flight fins, are the vacu-form fins smaller on the Centuri kit?

 

[DeltaVee]

Exact same centuri kit I got in '74! Had it built in two weeks... Except for the basswood tunnels and chutes! Sat unpainted for FOURTY-SIX* years until 2019 and flown July 20th.

* Uh, fourty five...