Use Only Centuri Engines?

Dannymrmissle scored a mint, bagged Centuri BATROCK kit 

and posted this picture on YORF.

Notice the bag topper line: "USE Centuri safety approved rocket engines ONLY with this rocket kit."

Why would it make a difference?

Most never knew that Estes made the engines for Centuri until the early 1970s. Here's an picture from the 1969 Centuri catalog:

Early on, I remember thinking: "These Centuri engines sure look a lot like the engines I get from Estes."

Then, the Centuri Phoenix made engines appeared in the 1970 catalog -

Those new rolled on graphics were slick!

We'd still find the older Penrose made engines with the Centuri name on them for a few years until the older stock was depleted.

First Maple Seed Model?

On TRF, the subject of Maple Seed recovery came up.

Eric (RKTMAN in TRF) posted a link to probably the first "eject and spin" or maple seed recovery.
The December 1965 Estes Model Rocket News shows the third place winner in their R&D Contest.

The Whirlibird, designed by Chris Carstensen.
To see the MRN issue: CLICK HERE

Other models inspired by this design could be the three fin Estes Tornado, but I have a feeling the Tornado was influenced by the original Cyclone.
This four-fin Whirlibird reminds me more of the Centuri Flutter-By: CLICK HERE

Trivia note: The December 1965 issue of the MRN introduced the Estes Tri-Fold shock cord mount.

Johnson Smith - GONE!

On Facebook, someone brought up that at one time Estes starter kits were for sale from the Johnson Smith Company.
Before Estes, MRI (Model Rocket Industries) sold a starter set and engine packs through Johnson Smith.

If you ever bought a comic book, you'll remember these full page ads. They were usually on the inside covers.

How would I know, why could I care?
I had already made some purchases through their catalog before discovering Model Rocketry. I sent off for magic tricks, pranks & X-Ray glasses. You name it, I wasted paper route money on it.

Johnson Smith was also where I bought my first black powder model rocket engines. 
When I ordered my first kit from Centuri in 1969 you couldn't have motors sent by mail into California. You could only buy engines once your flying field had been approved and you were issued a special permit from the State Fire Marshall.

I noticed M.R.I. rockets and engines on the 1969 Johnson Smith catalog page. At the bottom of the descriptive copy there was always a statement: Model Rocket engines cannot be shipped to of California, Washington, Oregon and New Jersey.
But in their 1970 catalog - California was off the list! Probably a misprint or omission. In 1970, California was still on the "no-ship" list for engines.
What the heck - I put in an order for three MRI A3-2 engines and waited.
About ten days later they arrived! Probably illegal, but we got them!

That afternoon we loaded up a Estes Streak. By the time we got to the schoolyard it was already dark. The Electro Launch had fresh Photoflash batteries. We pressed the launch button - Nothing! The bare wire nichrome igniter looked okay. It was shoved back into the nozzle.
Countdown, press and HOLD down the button . . .
After waiting a few seconds we looked at each other and said: "It 'ain't gonna work" when there was a hiss and a flash of light - the Streak was gone! Excited and scared we ran under the school building awning and listened. Nothing!
The next day one of the boys found the Streak in the schoolyard field. We were on our way!   

I just did a search and found this message:
"Dear Valued Customer,

After 105 years in business, it is with great sadness that we inform you that the Johnson Smith Company closed our doors on December 31, 2019.

We appreciate your patronage, and are sorry we won't be able to serve you in the future.

We wish you a happy and healthy 2020!"

The Johnson Smith I remember was in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, later moved to Florida. Some background:
"The Johnson Smith Co., located in Bradenton, Fla., is one of the oldest catalog companies in the United States. The company has been providing a wide range of household novelties, gifts and collectibles since 1914. It offers a variety of catalogs, including The Lighter Side catalog that consists of more than 500 gifts and serves all kinds of audience."