35 replies to this topic

[dr thrust]

thanks great post, its a keeper, a bit advanced for me,but i've got somthing to aim for

[StevenRS]

You really don't have to use the jig, or wet the paper to bend it, but the quality will be a little less and it might rip, but probably not. Plus, if you corn bp without dextrin, you don't have to crush it with a hammer.

[dr thrust]

You really don't have to use the jig, or wet the paper to bend it, but the quality will be a little less and it might rip, but probably not. Plus, if you corn bp without dextrin, you don't have to crush it with a hammer.

oooooh have you made some,how did they go?

[crystal palace fireworks]

Yep - helicopters, aeroplanes, vampire bats and other spinners were very erratic and no-one could predict where they would go. But luckily I never had any mishaps with them - maybe because I always launched them from a piece of plywood at the end of the backgarden where there were no trees or walls. They were spectacular though, for both the eye and the ear. The unique whirlling sound they made as they spiralled up in a mad rush of corkscrewing sparks was something I keenly loved as a boy back in the seventies. They quickly expired after reaching roof-height and their smouldering bodies always came tumbling down nearby (usually in the neighbours garden). They invariably took off at an angle to the perpendicular. Only once do I remember watching a helicopter rise perfectly vertically and then fall down to land almost on its plywood platform. Jumping Jacks were also a lot of fun and came in many different sizes. My family Guy Fawkes celebrations always included them and as far as I can recall no-one ever felt particularly threatened by these little devices. Of course they jumped about, fizzled, spluttered and popped, but part of the fun was dodging them as they zig-zagged back and forth across the courtyard. Dangerous? Unsafe? Poppycock! We children were more at risk from our neighbour's Pekingese snapping at our heels.

I too fondley remember the jumping jack and helicopters from the 60s & 70s, yes they could be slightly unpredictable, but in my opinion were far safer then sparklers!
Many of these fireworks could be used to today if the political correct brigade thought more about safety distances and launching devices etc.

For example, why couldn`t the jumping jack be let-off in a see-through perspex tube with holes drilled and mesh lid at one end, and to give it a more spectacular loudness, a speaker could housed into the tube or nearby!

Variations on the old helicopters could be launched from a high tube or a spindal (like a grindola).

[pmhcfc]

Hi Farnet

I can send you some pictures of several old British Jumping Crackers and a video of an old one going off (not brilliant).

Let me have your email address and I'll get them off to you.

They were banned because they fly all over the place - often in the direction of the audience. They were good fun though, if you escaped unharmed!! A bit similar to the banning of all other fireworks of erratic flight (helicopters, flyers, mini rockets, etc).

Cheers.

Ah, this brings back memories.. Me (and a few mates) aged about 12 had retrieved a firework from a garden display we had been at. The Jack-in-the-box firework hadn't fired so we were stood between two houses (semi-detached), crouched around with all manner of lighting impliments to try and set it off. After about 5 minutes we did get it to go off, and it blew up all over us!! We were incredibly lucky as not one of us was badly injured. Still, it didn't put me off, I went out and purchased my 2007 stash a few weeks back...Tiger's Revenge, RP60, Hercules, Fires of Hell and 6 King rockets amongst the collection...Can't wait

Edited by pmhcfc, 21 October 2007 - 10:39 AM.

[richy59driver]

Ah, this brings back memories.. Me (and a few mates) aged about 12 had retrieved a firework from a garden display we had been at. The Jack-in-the-box firework hadn't fired so we were stood between two houses (semi-detached), crouched around with all manner of lighting impliments to try and set it off. After about 5 minutes we did get it to go off, and it blew up all over us!! We were incredibly lucky as not one of us was badly injured. Still, it didn't put me off, I went out and purchased my 2007 stash a few weeks back...Tiger's Revenge, RP60, Hercules, Fires of Hell and 6 King rockets amongst the collection...Can't wait

i have a tiny jumping jack,green cord.2 cm long
never seen one this small
take it its a late 60s early 70s standard?