Project X. 1 X 4" Rockets.

Project No. PX0020.

This should not be tried or tested unless you have access to a range or vast amount of land.

These were to utilise 4" grey plastic drainpipe firing a finned rocket made from yacht parachute flares or model rocket motors and were to be used as and when required in the pyrotechnics project PX0019 in relation to Filmworks PX0018.

One use for these tubes was the American WW11 M20 "Bazooka".

No more testing will take place until an order for this type of system is taken.

Initial testing at the Swiss range was to see if this system would work as it would provide a cheap source of rocket motors and parts for building. We used 4" grey plastic drainpipe cut to the exact length of an original M20 Bazooka. Rockets were made from carboard tube made for the model rocket industry and using the aluminium rockets from maritime distress flares. We are writing this to also warn people of exactly what to expect if you are thinking of using these. The rockets accelerate to teriffic speeds even when carrying a heavy red flare and parachute. If you take the parachute and flare out and fire it they will increase in velocity but hardly ever fly straight without disabling the spin factor and adding fins. The spin factor is added by the addition of more exhaust outlets angled to make the rocket spin. Without this or fins or a stick like a firework rocket they will not fly. Some launching tubes are now "rifled" to add spin. Once built, the rocket should have a centre of gravity in exactly the middle. When firing, do not move the tube. Movement at the exit of the tube will affect the rocket as it leaves and it may not go where you pointed it. The complete safe option is to have a thin wire running from the tube to the target but this doesn't always look realistic. Our rockets always flew in an arc. If you want to add spin make sure the fins angled for the spin are in the middle near the centre of gravity. All other fins must be dead straight. Any slight misalignment will add yards missed at the target. Some rockets have the spin nozzles around the main nozzles at the end. Avoid these where possible. We found we couldn't block these well enough. The rockets with nozzles like pin holes on the side at the base of the motor, we just added a self tapping screw and even used the screw to fix the motor to the tube of the rocket body. We made our main tube and tail tube by using a spare piece of the drainpipe and by winding and glueing brown paper around the inside diameter to get perfect fit that moved in the tube without friction. In a real M20 the rocket fuel has actually completely burned before the rocket leaves the tube. The rounds are heavy enough to carry to the target under their own momentum. Add a face guard to the launch tube for the firer. Although you can fire a yatcht flare without getting a faceful of exhaust every now and again there will be sparks and debris thrown up by the blast.

We are available to advise free on any pyrotechnic subject...

07840 261006

Or E-Mail ...

If we can't solve your problem then we will put you on to someone who can.