73 replies to this topic

[pendulum]

Do you think it would be possible to have something like that as a rocket header, so that it creates a fireball in the sky?

I am not anywhere near able to attempt that yet, but it would be quite cool I think if it was possible.

[Creepin_pyro]

Yes - they're reffered to as a 'Lampare' shell.

A quick search should bring up some info on them.

There's no reason why you couldn't use the device described here, but I think the real lampares are traditionally made with kerosene, broken with flash.

Bob from detonation films filmed some really nice ones which are included in this video:

http://video.google....385636053873335

[pendulum]

Really cool video (although for a fireworks convention I felt there were a few dodgy moments safety wise... like the rocket that almost hit the person who lit it).

Thanks for the name. When I get better with rockets I might try and make one, because they are very cool IMO!

[pymp]

Hehe, a bit like the gas canisters fired out of mortars in Malta... sounds crazy

[halen]

For the best 'real' explosions, see modern war productions (Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers etc). The older (50s - 80s) war films still had the tendency to user petrol mixes.

I think now that people have seen a lot of televised action from both Iraq wars, eastern Europe and Afghanistan, they know what a real HE blast looks like so directors and SFX guys will start to turn the realism up.

in Finland, becouse mandatory military service almost everybody have seen real HE blasts live, we can't do petrol explosions to our war movies, or everyone keeps it fake.
simple dynamite/detcord + projectile like peat, are most commonly used.



and yes, that is russian T-34 in background.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-34

[hoarp001]

This may have already been mentioned, but flour is used in the sfx industry to make nice fire balls. A stage marroon or small BP b**b is placed on the ground and then covered with bags of flour. Atomozied flour burns with a bright reddy orangy fire ball, and the flour that does not burnt is scattered in a very dramatic smoke cloud.

To enhance the effect you can use a baked bean tin or a large cardboard tube with the marroon or microdet at the bottom. You could also mix BP with the flour to help it burn. This can then be burried and covered over with a thin layer of turf and produces a nice fire ball and mushroom cloud...

[Mick]

i used 3 propane gas cannons at 30 - 40 psi with one 4 inch and 2 two inch electric solonoid ball valve outlets,

4 inch electric solenoid valve !?

Where did you find it ?

[pymp]

And how much did it cost?!

Quite a bit I suspect

[adamw]

eBay is good for solenoid valves: Last year I got myself a 24v DC 3" one for about £40

[pyroxtreme]

hi all i am new to this but if you go to www.pyroxtreme.co.uk and take a look at the rocket we fired at a jeep
this was a 25g maroon 2xsmall bags of perol [2xparts petrol and 1x derv] placed in half a gas tank in the ground it looked very good to us and the bbc were delighted with it
john

[adamw]

Yeah not bad

I'd be interested to hear about your gas-powered weapon effects. Can a regular de-act be fitted with this system? Can it be built into the body of the gun (and if so, what would be the minimum compartment size)

[karlfoxman]

Are you talking about Lapare shells?

A shell that holds a petrol (gasoline) payload and is exploded in the sky? If so these are very very dangerous, I know what goes into them to make them but im not going to say here just incase someone tries.

YOUTUBE LAPARE SHELL

[halen]

260 grams dynamite on bottom, carbon dust and 2 litres of gasoline and some black powder for igniting fuel.