41 replies to this topic

[phildunford]

I did keep all the old compositions from Astra with all the tube sizes etc. I will try and dig them out. I actually had records of Wizard and Brocks too, "Lent" them to someone.....never do that, trust me. I never saw them again.

I think a lot of people would like to see those Paul...

[PaulM]

I'll dig them out Phil, scan them and post them for all. Nothing groundbreaking I'm afraid but it provides a valid comment on the industry quite simply because every factory operated according to its own stylistic approach. Not necessarily for reasons of artistry either. In Astra's case, we made cheap fireworks. I could say cheap and nasty, I'm certain our competitors would have!!.

 

We always came second place to Standard with respect to quality of effect and the appearance of the firework itself. We marketed on the basis of value and to achieve this, savings had to be made. These savings relied on a special ingredient - sawdust! I kid you not!.

 

I know this will come across as disloyal, but that's how it was and I recall it with a smile. I remember one year 300+ letters of complaint and 1 congratulating the company on the quality of merchandise, the letter was passed around and became the subject of much merriment.

 

As I say, I did have a copy of the Brocks Swaffham composition register - all resorcinol resin pumped compositions along with Wizard Fireworks, can't imagine where that came from.

 

The poor quality of the Astra stuff is part of history so far as I'm concerned, these mixes characterised the products at a time when a firework was a big deal to a youngster and only encountered once a year. The effects were part and parcel of the brand - good or bad, that's what we sold and I am pleased to have kept it. I will make a big effort to post within the coming week and would value opinions very much indeed.

[PaulM]

I should have mentioned in the previous post....on occassion I have been less than complimentary about Chinese material, my previous comments may explain that to some degree. My nostalgic opinions are formed because of the individuality of the different manufacturers and the reasons behind that individuality, as I stated before, it was more than just artistry, there were very rfeal reasons for differing styles across the market, I thinks this is significant and important. To me, Chinese fireworks are all the same.....Red, Green Crackle...Red, Green, Crackle etc. etc. etc..... good or bad, U.K. manufacture produced different styles from one factory to the other. Fireworks today are like McDonalds food.......I'd better shut up or brace myself for correction!!

[phildunford]

No Paul - you speak the truth there - I'd rather be able to go to my local shop & pick cones and Catherine wheels than all the crackles the Chinese can muster!

[PaulM]

Thanks Phil. My view is not too sophisticated - and I am NOT a firework expert, I am completely humbled and out of my depth in the company that makes up the society. Here it is for what its worth.

 

I love wine, Red wine actually. Travel through France and around every corner there's a different vineyard, a different producer and a range of wines so varied you could never sample them all. That characterises France to a great degree. U.K. Fireworks jogged along in a similar fashion - brands were favoured for REAL reasons, consumers formed true and valid opinions and demonstrated those with loyalty. I don't buy fireworks now of course so I really can't comment on where we are now, but I couldn't tell one Chinese firework brand from the next, apart I might say from obvious quality levels. I did receive some innovative Kimbolton stuff a while back, a Jumping Jelly Beans item - it was absolutely lovely BECAUSE it was different. 

 

Despite my Astra background, I love Standard stuff, looking at the craftsmanship that went into their material it was absolutely beautiful, Their pin-wheel, stark white with a deep red centre hub - to me that is the definitive wheel. As a manufacturer I know the pride and satisfaction gained from producing something that looks right and works well. We don't produce Paintball pyrotechnics any more (Chinese imports stuffed the market....that's another story) but when we did we took genuine pride in everything that went out. In the ten years we manufactured the various smokes, thunderflashes, grenades etc. we produced more than a million items, all by hand, possibly nearer to 1.5 million. There are obvious parrallels between what we were doing then and the old firework industry.

 

To me it's about more than just money. The magic of the business cannot be replaced by importing something from a country where some poor sod has to survive on a pittance, and capitalising on an immoral difference in wealth between "them and us"

 

That's little more than box moving and that, to me, is in a nutshell the manifest result of the decline of the fireworks industry. I appreciate the fact that younger enthusiasts have been failed the opportunity of savouring the delights of home produced goods - I never fail to recognise and appreciate the talent and knowledge of the contributors to these forums and am truly saddened at the loss to them of the industry I am prattling on about.

 

Feel free to defend Chinese stuff, I probably DO need educating and bollocking for failing to see a different picture.

 

Paul M.

[Sparky]

I don't think it's Chinese fireworks in general that are the problem. They make some beautiful stuff if you are willing to really look hard. The problem is that all the sub CAT 3 stuff is so cheaply made for the UK market. Your average UK buyer doesn't have a clue about firing a well balanced garden display so they just buy what is the right price and when they fire it, if it makes lots of crackles and wooshes, they are happy.

I do however take your point about the attraction of British made fireworks. It would be great if more specialist stuff was made here. 

[martyn]

I'll dig them out Phil, scan them and post them for all.

Any progress on this yet PaulM, I imagine loads of us are keen to see them.

Thanks

Martyn.

[Whizzbang]

Here are some Astra comps which are (I believe) from the late 70's. The letter next to the name is the size given to the item by Astra. All of the quantities are as per the mixing batch used at the factory so you will need to get out the calculator to get percentages.

 

Tiara Spray (A)  Tube size: 2 and 9/16" long x 5/16 x 7/16" (OD)

Aluminium 240 to dust 3lb

Barium Nitrate 3lb

Barium Chlorate 13lb 8oz

Accaroid 3lb

 

Red Floodlight ( Tube size: 1.5" x 1/2"x 3/4"(OD)

Pot Perc 3lb

Pot Chlorate 9lbs

Strontium Carbonate 2lb

Wood flour 9oz (used to cheapen the mix)

Accaroid 2lb

 

Starry Drop © Tube size: (hand rolled on 3/8" rod from "rope brown paper") 6 and 7/8" x ?

Charcoal 20 mesh  3lb 6oz

Charcoal 60 mesh  3lb 6oz

Kno3 powder 6lb 12oz

Meal A 11lb 4oz.

 

Enjoy.

[martyn]

Brilliant, thanks.

And well timed too :-)

[helix]

Thanks!

 

Great to see a few of the old formulas.

[Whizzbang]

I'll try and dig a few more out before the 5th. I have quite a few Brock's and some Standard as well as others.

[digger]

Yes more please.

[dave]

I notice paul m has not yet posted any compositions

 

wonder why

[maxman]

Thanks Whizzbang, any more of these would be very welcome.

 

Rod

[martyn]

I notice paul m has not yet posted any compositions

 

wonder why

Dave, do you know the chap?

Is he likely to post some, I see you put a wink face there which makes me think you know more than I do.

Are you able to give him a nudge?

Thanks

Martyn.