Vintage Centuri Scram Jet Build

[SCIGS30]

I am getting ready to paint my Scram Jet, but need some assistance with the colors. I try to paint my vintage rockets like the display rockets built by Centuri or Estes. The only actual non artist picture I have found is on the Centuri Poster picture. I have a small picture of the poster so it is hard to see the Scram Jet. Does any one have the actual large Centuri Poster? If so, is the Scram Jet painting Yellow? Ok, now here is what I was able to complete yesterday on the vintage Centuri Scram-Jet. I brushed on one coat of Astro-Seal followed by 2 coats of Astro-Fill and finished building last night. I am waiting for the TN wind to die down so I can start painting today. The nose cone is wider than the body tube and the two body tubes are not exactly the same diameter. Also, the nylon motor ring was a bear to put on but I refuse to let a vintage kit defeat me.

 

[rcktnut]

I think what the colors that are on the package are the correct ones, white BT, black/silver nose cone. That is the way I would go if it were mine.
Found this also:https://www.rocketreviews.com/centuri-engineering-co-scramjet-bill-eichelberger.html

 

[SCIGS30]

I was able to get a coat of primer on the Scram Jet yesterday and today I will spray the Gray paint. I don't use a filler primer because honestly I do not like sanding the entire rocket. I spray a basic smooth gray primer and only sand areas that is needed and only spray one coat of primer. This is one coat of primer after sanding. Also, I am using the old shock cord mount.

 

[SCIGS30]

Another day of good weather and she is all painted with decals going on tomorrow. She is close to looking like the Scram Jet in the Centuri photo minus the decals. For the nose cone, I just used an old Centuri BT for a mask and painted black leaving the natural red color.

 

[neil_w]

Looks good. Rusto 2x Winter Gray?

 

[SCIGS30]

Looks good. Rusto 2x Winter Gray?

Ever since Rusto changed their nozzle system, I have not had good luck with their stuff. I still use what most of used back in the day, Krylon Acryli Quik spray paint. No recoat windows, no cottage cheese, no rocket herpes.

 

[neil_w]

Ah well, that's looks like almost the exact same shade as Winter Gray. I have a can of the stuff. I'd try the AcryliQuik if I could find it locally at retail, no luck so far.

 

[SCIGS30]

Another vintage rocket complete, not bad for a 4 day build. One day to fill balsa and build the rocket. Second day was priming the rocket with one coat of primer, third day painting and today applying the decals. For old decals I have found that Testors Glosscote works great before applying decals, helps keep them from falling apart. With old decals I have found just plain water and don't mess too much with the decal once you place it on the rocket. I have tried many decal products and Testors glosscote and plain water works the best. We have some pretty strong winds right now in TN so I don't know when I will get her up in the air. I did my best to make this rocket look like the Centuri model that was shown on the poster.

 

[Back_at_it]

Great build and a nice design. That thing is just begging to be upscaled.

 

[GlenP]

Nice job. I wonder if there is some way to get tube fins like that to whistle in flight.

 

[GusGrissom]

Nice job. I wonder if there is some way to get tube fins like that to whistle in flight.

20 years ago, I built an Estes Screamin' Mimi. It had whistles implanted in 4 fin pods. The rocket was a workhorse, surviving numerous launches. Unfortunately, the whistles never worked. I think the airflow into the intakes was an issue not well engineered or thought out.

 

[cls]

Tim Gubbins put the Mimi whistles on an I powered airframe. That made em scream!!

 

[Long_Gone]

That launch pad! I miss those was thinking of working it out in cad and printing one out.

 

[SCIGS30]

And she flies.

 

[Long_Gone]

And she flies.

Nice! Your teasing me with that launch pad....

 

[SCIGS30]

Yep, if she is not vintage, I do not use it.

 

[Mugs914]

Beautiful build!! (And yes, I'm feeling a bit of launcher-envy too!)

I built an original Scramjet back in the day, don't remember what happened to it, but it's odd looks made it a favorite.

I hope you don't mind, but you inspired me to do an upscale in OR and have attached the file here. This one is based on Estes parts (I know, blasphemy...), using a BT-55 tube, basswood fins and a 24mm motor mount. It is very much a TLAR and not actually scaled from the original.

I'm going to have to build it, if I can dredge out some time!

 

[BABAR]

. It is very much a TLAR and not actually scaled from the original.

That Looks About Right?



I had to look it up

https://www.abbreviations.com/TLAR

Didn’t think it meant Turkish League Against Rheumatism