Centuri The Bug and Achilles builds

[SCIGS30]

Looking through my old Centuri Designers manual I found 4 cool looking rockets to build. Since I have some unclaimed Centuri parts and thanks to Semroc, I am able to build these rockets. The Bug is small and I will have to figure out something for the shorty motor. The Achilles is called Pseudo scale and does look pretty cool, recovers with a streamer. I have all the parts for the Pay Dirt rocket and the Cloud Buster. Hope to start painting both of these tomorrow.

 

[Blades]

I remember that design manual, my copy is now lost to the mists of time. Some nice patterns in there. It wouldn't be quite stock, but it appears there's room for a 13 mm mount in the Bug. You could probably make it rear ejection with a streamer and increase your chances of getting the little bugger back.

 

[SCIGS30]

I did not have any references to go by for painting these rockets so I just threw some paint on them. Once again I used Rustoleum Rust Stop and everything came out just fine, no primer.

 

[GlenP]

Those are cool builds. I just got the SEMROC parts from eRockets to build a Pay Dirt. I papered the fins with cardstock. Not sure on a paint scheme yet. I might look at some vintage Centuri catalogs for payload rockets for inspiration. My engine hook sticks out just a tad bit too far, so that the rocket does not rest on all four fins, it will lean slightly on two fins and the protruding engine hook, I could have planned that better.

 

[MALBAR 70]

If you wanted to keep the Bug stock, you could always take a spent 18mm motor and cut it to the length of a 13mm motor. Then friction fit the 13mm inside the cut down 18mm case. I've done this on a Semroc Sprite after I lost the sleeves that came with the kit.

 

[GlenP]

The Pay Dirt is somewhat reminiscent of the Payloader II:
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuri65/65cen10.html
so I thought of making a logo for it in that style, still working on a decal sheet with a similar roll pattern as the Payloader II.



the pick-axe was inspired by Yukon Cornelius

and I was able to print up a sheet of Testor's 5.5x8.5 decal paper with the Pay Dirt logo and a Payloader-like roll pattern as well as for my Excalibur, which uses the X to represent the sword, which also inspired the T as a pick-axe for Pay Dirt, which is what you want to hit when you are using a pick-axe, right? The unique fin shape also somewhat resembles the curves and point of a pick-axe, or something along that vein.

 

[GlenP]

The Testors waterslide inkjet paper worked pretty well, just let the ink dry then lightly spray with some clear coat a few coats.





I tried to capture the vibe from other payload carrier rockets in the back catalog, drawing mainly from the Payloader II. I noticed that many of those had cool names in unique typography in the catalog, but the face-card and catalog picture did not have the name printed on a decal on the rocket itself. I am wondering when that trend started.

 

[GlenP]

I built an Achilles with a 13mm mount, finally working on some artwork for decals, kind of inspired by the Colossus.


for one of the fins:

 

[GlenP]

an idea I had for the Cloud Buster...

 

[GlenP]

another logo concept, I plan to print it in black and put on a yellow painted background, so it would look like this:

apologies to the Estes Mosquito (mini brute) and the Centuri Firefly.

The bottom of Achilles would be painted yellow with the chain as a separator, and will have one red fin, that's the heel. Again, apologies to the Estes Colossus.



still doing some sanding and painting of these, then will print up my decal sheet.

 

[GlenP]

Here's a printable sheet of my artwork for decals for the whole collection of the Centuri Design Manual plans. I am in the final painting stages for the Achilles, Bug, and Cloudbuster. Will post some pictures when I get these fully decorated.

 

[beeblebrox]

What is your best recommendation for media to print decals (waterslide type) in general? Which brands have you tried? I am planning on purchasing a color laser printer soon.

 

[GlenP]

I usually get the Testors brand ink jet printer paper from my local hobby store, kind of hit or miss if they have it on the shelf at the craft stores. But you might find the full 8.5”x11” sheets from your favorite South American river on line in larger quantities for cheaper unit cost. They have clear and white background varieties. I clear coat it with glossy clear UV protective Krylon a few light coats after printing. Laser printers might require a different type of paper, not sure if the same ink jet paper works in a laser printer.

PS - I use InkScape software for creating the artwork or retracing old decal scans that might not be good quality.
https://inkscape.org/

 

[GlenP]

Who you gonna call? CLOUDBUSTER...



This little insect features a rear-eject 13mm motor mount. Not very much room for a streamer, but will try to get one in there. I did not really try to fill the seam between the body and nose very well, but the decal will probably cover that up.

 

[beeblebrox]

I usually get the Testors brand ink jet printer paper from my local hobby store, kind of hit or miss if they have it on the shelf at the craft stores. But you might find the full 8.5”x11” sheets from your favorite South American river on line in larger quantities for cheaper unit cost. They have clear and white background varieties. I clear coat it with glossy clear UV protective Krylon a few light coats after printing. Laser printers might require a different type of paper, not sure if the same ink jet paper works in a laser printer.

PS - I use InkScape software for creating the artwork or retracing old decal scans that might not be good quality.
https://inkscape.org/

Ok, I was planning on using the laserjet type as it does not require clear coating. Definately interested in the inkscape...

 

[neil_w]

Ok, I was planning on using the laserjet type as it does not require clear coating. Definately interested in the inkscape...

Based on my experiences with inkjet paper, choosing laser printing seems like a good idea.

I've been using the Experts Choice decal paper from Bare Metal Foil and have been pleased with it. The problems I've had are inherent to inkjet decals. When I switch over to laser decals I'll probably stay with that brand to get started.

 

[jqavins]

My engine hook sticks out just a tad bit too far, so that the rocket does not rest on all four fins, it will lean slightly on two fins and the protruding engine hook, I could have planned that better.

Old trick, but in case it's new to you: glue a spend motor to a two or three inch square of cardboard to make a cheap and dirty stand. I have lots of these that I consider disposable; they're good for sitting rockets on the shelf if they don't stand straight, and they're also good for painting, after which if they're to covered in paint you just throw'm away and make more. (Spent motors. Is there anything they can't do? Well, other than propel a rocket.)

 

[GlenP]

 

[GlenP]

Spring time in the rocket garden. Achilles, in progress.

 

[GlenP]

decided to keep the fin can yellow and not paint one fin red, just might have been too busy. Again my engine hook prevents this from resting on the four fins, so a 13mm display stand is required for the shelf. Yeah, I am getting a lot of use from that same color yellow on finishing up these builds.

 

[GlenP]

The Spartan was some clip art I found online in B&w outline, I just added some fill color. Was really hard to find just the right one, some were more cartoonish than others, but just before I resorted to drawing my own, I found that one which seemed to fit what I was looking for. The name was done in Word Art rather then Inkscape. My chain length was adjusted after my test print on paper and the decal wrapped around to perfectly match at the seam, I can’t even find the seam now. Borrowed heavily from the Estes Colossus, obviously.

 

[GlenP]

I printed these up on the sheet with the others, but have already built one of these, so this one is extra. If anyone wants to build their own Pay Dirt and put these waterslide decals on it, first PM with an address (USA only), and I will put these in an envelope and mail them. Already clear coated and ready to apply. Just promise to post a picture of your build when finished.

 

[GlenP]

after first masking of just the transitions, kind of inspired by the Estes Argent, but going to keep it simple, still working on some ideas for this one...not sure if I even want to try to mask off the boat-tail, but might look cool...

CLOUD BUSTER!

 

[jqavins]

If you want to do something with the boat tail, remember that hand painting requires little or no masking. Tape is hard on a compound curve, but brushing isn't.

 

[GlenP]

Good idea, I have resorted to brush painting for some of those smaller details when masking is just too tricky, but I guess it won’t be too hard to mask off the fins and the tube part of the body so I can hit the boat tail with some orange spray, I just need to take a break and let the paint on the other transitions fully cure before handling this for another round of masking. Should look more consistent with all of the transitions the same color. Then I will probably add some trim stripes in a contrasting color, very similar to the Argent facecard.

 

[GlenP]

Required lots of tape, got it mostly even, but will have to touch up a few spots with the brush after all. I like how it looks though. Part of that orange below the boat-tail is the engine casing and the dowel. I have some waterslide decal paper that I will paint green to cut out some pinstripes to finish it off before adding my other logos and custom clip art, which might be a bit too cartoon-ish for this rocket, but that's part of the fun.

 

[GlenP]

I already printed my decal sheet up with the others, but just made this tweak: who you gonna call?

 

[GlenP]

I kind of like the clean lines of this sportster, almost hate to silly it up with idiotic logos. This just looks like a rocket that needs no introduction. Maybe I will put that on the lug side, if at all. One little hammer on a fin won't hurt too much...maybe? Must... resist... urge... to decorate rocket further... no... more... silly... decals... ugh!

 

[GlenP]

The Bug, PayDirt, Achilles, and Cloud Buster. Centuri Design Manual plan family photo.


My main problem with the CLOUD BUSTER logo is I made it way too big. I might re-print one half the size and it might look okay... would also look cool with UNITED STATES on there...

 

[jqavins]

Nice family photo.

Cloud Buster looks great as is. If you want to do anything more, I offer for your consideration:

• You could use just the hammer on one fin, as you mentioned. Make a mirror image, and put it in the matching spot on the other side of the same fin.
• With the existing red, white, and green color scheme, you could add a flag and/or logo for either the Italian or Mexican space agency.

The Mexican one looks really cool, in my opinion.