Introduced in the 1973 Centuri Catalog, the Screaming Eagle was kit #KF-3 and sold for $2.00.The Screaming Eagle was released at the same time as another ARTF model, the Centuri Argus that used the Enerjet 1340 fin can.
To see the catalog page, CLICK HERE
Both model descriptions:
"No tools or paint needed!
Assemble in under 1/2 hour!
All parts pre-colored!
Only requires glue!"
Lots of exclamation marks there!
This seemed to be Centuri's answer to the Alpha III introduced in the 1971 Estes catalog.
Was there ever an Alpha II?
Up until this point the Centuri "Starter" model was the Javelin.
Compared to the Estes Alpha,
The Screaming Eagle was sleeker and had the white (no paint) body tube and chrome decals.
The Screaming Eagle body tube was a sturdy ST-8. The plastic nose cone is 4.6" long.
The (Centuri) Stellar Line Spartan was an early version of the Screaming Eagle.From the Semroc Spartan instructions: CLICK HERE
"The Spartan was an early prototype for the later
Screaming Eagle which replaced it. Leftover parts from the Spartan were used for a few years on the Flutter-By until they were gone."
The Flutter-By fins are on the left, the Screaming Eagle fin can on the right.
"Was there ever an Alpha II?"
ReplyDeleteYes. The Alpha II was an identical kit to the Alpha, except that it had a plastic nose cone instead of balsa.
According to CPMcGraw and BEC on YORF, the Alpha II was an educator-only kit; it had either a balsa or plastic nose cone, fins with the root edge marked by the die cutter, and an extended engine mount to which you attached the shock cord. BEC has a scan of the Alpha II plans here: http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=8327
ReplyDeleteThanks Lonnie and Chris,
ReplyDeleteI probably read those YORF posts before but didn't remember the educator model. I looked up the link, It's interesting how long the engine mount tube was and the attachment of the shock cord over the top bend of the engine hook.
Is there a cardstock downscale of the Screaming Eagle, anywhere?
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn,
DeleteThere's not a cardstock version of the Screaming Eagle, at least not that I know of. Sorry!
I guess I will have to make my own, you have some good examples here of how it is done.
DeleteHi Glenn,
DeleteHave fun drawing it up, it's a bit of work but rewarding when it flys.
I had an original Screaming Eagle around 1981 or so. Good flier. Worth making one yourself, sourcing a original (good luck) or build the close cousin (Semroc Spartan).
ReplyDeleteHi Geoffrey,
DeleteI still see an occasional Screaming Eagle on Ebay. I do know about the Semroc Spartan. That fin design sure got used a lot.