Most modelers know that Estes made engines for Centuri. As I understand it: There was a shortage of brown casings so blue casings were sent to Estes for engine manufacturing. This is not a blue outside wrapper, the casing is blue throughout.
Notice the A8-5 band completely around the nozzle end. Today with most Estes engines you have to look twice to find the engine designation. On these old Centuri's you could almost read it with the engine sticking out the back end of the rocket. It was the last thing you saw when sliding the engine in the mount. I bet there were fewer engine choice mistakes by marking them this well.
This is an interesting find, all three engines in a mint condition box. Three "Sure Shot" Dot igniters are packed in small wax paper envelope.
Check out the 1973 price - marked down from $1.35 to the low sale price of $1.21!
Looking back, wouldn't it have made sense to make engine casings out of their respective colors? A Red casing for booster engines, Green for standard delays and a Purple casing for upper stages? Maybe casings should be colored like all the new currency where each color designates the value. Just a thought!
It's the original Blue Tube! :)
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