Historical Note: Centuri Engineering

Centuri Engineering Company was a model rocketry manufacturing company founded by Lee and Betty Piester in 1961.

In its early days, Centuri focused on selling rocket parts and later expanded into full kits and launch equipment. To meet customer demand for engines, Centuri initially partnered with Estes Industries and had an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) agreement to sell Estes engines under the Centuri label. By the mid-1960s, the company began designing and building its own engine-manufacturing machinery, bringing production in-house. During the early years of the model rocketry industry, Centuri and Estes companies had a friendly rivalry which encouraged technological innovation and development of creative designs.

Centuri sold their parts and kits by mail thorugh catalog orders. Centuri's catalogs promised "the finest quality and best performing products available." They were known for creative and innovative designs, eventually producing more than 140 different kits. One of Centuri’s most iconic creations was the “Laser-X Space Probe” (#KC-50), which first appeared in 1969, the same year that NASA astronauts landed on the Moon. Its futuristic style went beyond the standard tube, fins, and nose cone designs. Centuri also produced models that recreated NASA rockets, such as the Saturn V.

In addition to its catalogs and manuals, Centuri published American Rocketeer, a magazine that provided company news, product information, educational materials, and advertising.

The Piesters sold Centuri to Damon Corporation in 1971 but Lee remainded on as president and CEO until late 1976. Damon had bought Estes a year and a half ealier. The Centuri model line was kept separate from the Estes line until 1983 when it was discontinued.

Sources: "Centuri Corporation." Encyclopedia.com. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/centuri-corporation. "Estes Industries." Wikipedia. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estes_Industries. "Laser X2 – A Futuristic Classic, Reimagined." Estes Rockets. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://estesrockets.com/blogs/rocket-talk/laser-x2. "Leroy Piester (Person)." RocketReviews. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://www.rocketreviews.com/leroy-piester-7371.html.

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