Hi Scott,

MPC was the originator of the Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad. It first came out circa October 1969. Earl makes note of it in his, MPC -- First Product Literature, thread: https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/showthread.php?t=19644

See the following thread link for some additional history on this launch pad: https://forums.rocketshoppe.com/sho...079&postcount=6

Initially, Myron (Myke) Bergenske was involved with MPC (Model Products Corporation)/General Mills for the first release of the Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad. I have also attached the cover and foldout pages of the MPC color multi-fold Model Rocketry Catalog published circa 1970-71, depicting the MPC Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad, for reference. Next, Myke Bergenske purchased all the assets and tooling from MPC/General Mills when they decided to give up their model rocket products in 1972 and he formed Aerospace Vehicles Inc. (AVI). AVI continued until late 1978 and then folded.

Next, the Lufkin family, who started Canaroc, purchased the rights to the Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad and tooling, and they began offering it in their catalogs starting in 1978 as the Trans-a-Pad. When Canaroc folded, the Lufkin family attempted another model rocket company, Space Models, Inc. (SMI), and they already still had ownership of the Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad rights and tooling, so they produced the Lunar-Lectric Launch Pad for a time as the Trans-a-Pad, until they went out of business.

Kind regards,
Jeff Jenkins
aka: Faithwalker
NAR #46879 SR

Attached Thumbnails

 

Attached Files

MPC_color_leaflet 1.pdf (1.31 MB, 7 views)

Thank you for digging that up! I think I have either an AVI or SMI version of the pad in my collection - good to know the background!

Other than the color, and the lack of the ceramic cone, the only other difference I see in the SMI, and the MPC, is the SMI does not include the igniter spring clips on the "gantry"