Here is a chronology I’ve written that goes from the Centuri Vector-V to the current Estes Viking. Thanks to blackshire for the pointer to the Boy’s Life magazine where the Akela-1 was introduced.
Centuri Engineering introduced the catalog number KB-2
Vector-V in their 1972 catalog. It was an unusual model in that it had five die-cut fiberboard fins which, since they had no discernible grain direction, could be installed using any edge as the root. Consequently the builder had a number of configuration choices when building the model. (See
http://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/kb-2.htm)
The
Akela-1 - a simple crepe-paper streamer recovery model for 18mm motors based on a 9-inch ST-7 body tube and a plastic nose cone, is first mentioned in the September 1973 Boy’s Life magazine, pages 58-59 (
https://books.google.com/books?id=S...page&q&f=false). It is shown being flown by Ricky Piester as a Cub Scout. (Ricky is the son of Centuri Engineering’s founders Lee and Betty Piester). The Akela-1 used the same fiberboard fins from the Vector-V and expanded the options to include using three to five fins as well as using even the narrowest side of the fin as the root. This meant the model could have dozens of different configurations.
The kits were made available through BSA in boxes of eight kits and also singly. The single kit was labeled “Model Rocket Derby single kit”, catalog number 1654. According to the Boy’s Life article the single kits initially sold for 69 cents and a box of 8 (catalog #1655) was $4.70 (!)
Centuri Viking - Beginning with the 1980 Centuri catalog the same model, save for the decal supplied and the recommended shock cord mounting method, appeared as the Viking (pages 34-35). Instead of a motor block spacer made from an empty engine casing as in the Akela-1, a folded cardstock spacer is used. A small portion of this is also used as a shock cord mount, with the shock cord looped and tied around this piece.
The Viking is shown in boxes of 12 models (catalog #5441) and as a single kit (catalog #5440). The single kit, priced at $1.75, is called “the hobby’s lowest priced rocket kit” in the catalog description. Boxes of 12 are priced at $17.95 and a bulk package of 12 A8-5s (a great motor for the model) are listed at $7.50.
There was also a “Viking Explorer” starter set in the 1982 Centuri catalog which included a Viking kit, Lightning Bolt launcher (one which used a rectangular 12V lantern battery as the base and was also in some Estes starter sets in the same time frame) and two motors. It was catalog number 5204 and listed for $9.95. The Viking 12-pack was still available with a price of $19.95. The single Viking kit was up to $2.25 in this catalog.
.....continued next post