There was some questions raised the YORF forum about the Centuri / Semroc Astro 1 rocket. At the right is the Semroc Astron, a slight downsize of the Astro 1 and still uses 18mm engines.
Carl from Semroc answered many questions about it's design and history.
The Astro 1 fins were close to the shape of the Estes Alpha. But I had no idea how close they really were.On the forums, some have wondered if the Centuri design team simply took an Estes Apha kit and turned the fins until they came up with the Astro 1 fin shape.
(If you've ever built an Astro 1, Astron or Astro Jr. you might find yourself double checking the fin placement and it's root edge. You'll be tempted to glue it on like it is on the Estes Alpha.)
On a whim, I called up Lee Piester (Centuri President) and asked him about the Astro 1 fin design.
He said it was never their intent to use an Estes Alpha fin design. He went on to explain that the Astro 1 fins were drawn up independently of the Estes Alpha.
Mr. Piester is currently building some upscale Centuri designs for display in his Phoenix area hobby stores.
The Semroc Astron is fleet favorite and a great value at $10.00 retail.
That is so cool how you figured that out. Now I know what to build when I trace Alpha fins against the grain. It has happened before.
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