12 replies to this topic

[pyrotrev]

Now then, I have a need for some quite tall (20m+) cremora/fireball effects. Has anyone achieved anything like this?

[Arthur Brown]

Propane flames using a "Fireant" or similar device. would be my starting point. Just brings compatability groups into the fore regarding transport. You could hire!

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Petrol not an option?

I produced these using 100mm mortars, flames attained ~ 10m



I have a video of a fireball using a 150mm mortar (from the same night) and that reached impressive heights......

[pyrotrev]

Those are pretty good - were they lifted by BP?

[barnsley-mark]

I used kerosene at this years yorkshire Scaregrounds event to produce fireballs erupting from barrels. Vehicle fuel pumps to pump the fuel and propane pilot lights - fired approx 8000 times over a 14 day period.

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Those are pretty good - were they lifted by BP?

Yes mate, only a small charge too about 40g, secret is how you prepare the charges and load the fuel

I'm trying to find the video of the 6" one we did with about 110g.......

[Sparky]

Yes mate, only a small charge too about 40g, secret is how you prepare the charges and load the fuel

I'm trying to find the video of the 6" one we did with about 110g.......

Ok spill the beans

We need details or it never happened....

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

Fireball ~ 1.40

[Sparky]

Very nice now what is the secret .....

"secret is how you prepare the charges and load the fuel "

Please can you describe how to do it?

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

I use a very fast medium grade (2FA ish) BP, put the weighed charge into a ziplock bag (choose a size that your weighed charge roughly half fills) zip it up with an ignitor then insert into a second bag. I then use fibreglass tape and wrap tightly a double layer. Then add a further two layers of electrical tape.

Place in the bottom of a mortar (GRP has never failed on me with these but card tubes are best)

Drop a doubled up freezer bag into the mouth of the tube securing the top of the bag over all the way around the lip, fill with fuel to about an inch below the top. Seal with gaffa then with foil (to fireproof it).

Us abou 1l for 100mm and increase by a litre for every inch!

[Sparky]

I think I understand....

The bag that holds the fuel, do you mean that this stays at the mouth of the mortar? The idea being that the lift charge literally just ignites the fuel but doesn't have to propel it all the way up the tube?

[Karl Mitchell-Shead]

That's right so you have an air gap between the charge and the fuel. This makes the fireball 'roll'

I often reinforce the lift with a nearby ground maroon

[Sparky]

Awesome, thanks for the advice. I'm going to give them a try.