Firecrackers and other stupid things...

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 23, 2003 6:43 PM

Growing up an Air Force brat we were always moving, and Dad was always saying we couldn't move the models, so out came the firecrackers every couple of years and we'd blow 'em up REAL good!

My eldest son, when in Grade 10 a few years ago, had an assignment to build a race car using a rubber band. Most kids in his class used the rubber band to store energy to provide the motive power. My son (proof the apple don't fall far from the tree) used the rubber band to strap two D rocket motors to his sled, hid them under a plastic car body, and fired the lot off in the school gym! Needless to say he had the fastest car. I think he should have gotten marks for creativity as well, but the teacher disagreed ...
Bruce

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, November 23, 2003 2:11 AM

Well, when I was around 8, I built my very first kit, a Revell Bundeswehr F-4 Phantom. So there I was, standing on the balcony of our fourth floor apartment... Let me tell you guys and girls right now: plastic models may look realistic, but they definitely do not fly like the real thing!

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paulnchamp

Member since
January 2003
From: Warwick, RI

Posted by paulnchamp on Friday, November 21, 2003 9:48 PM

I practiced my marksmanship on a small fleet of ships in a nearby river with my BB gun.
First I'd blow off all the superstructure, then try to make as many holes above the waterline as I could before the "coup de grace". Sometimes I'd salvage them, repair them, and sink 'em again!

Paul "A man's GOT to know his limitations."

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mojodoctor

Member since
September 2003
From: Shell Beach, California

Posted by mojodoctor on Friday, November 21, 2003 9:17 PM

The first pyrotechnic 'show' I came up with was about 1970. A neighbor had one of those Texaco Tanker models that they gave out at the gas stations, and I came up with the brilliant idea of having it burn and sink. We poured lots of BBs in the bottom of the hull for ballast, spread in a BUNCH of tube glue and set it afire in their pool. Do you know how long it takes two twelve year olds to scrub burnt melted plastic off the bottom of a swimming pool?

Since then I have advanced to turning a 1/32 Revell F-4 Phantom into a three wheeled landspeed racer powered by two Estes D-12-0. Went fairly well until it hit a pebble and became airborn. The landing was not pretty. Now I have photos of a seven foot long balsa car powered by an Aerotech G motor. That one really went fast!

Has anybody picked up one of those Piezo Popper cannons from that guy on eBay? Pyrotechnic fun for IN the house!

Matt

Matt Fly fast, fly low, turn left!

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Friday, November 21, 2003 6:38 PM

I had an old battleship kit that I had dropped and repaired a few times. Decided to get rid of it with style, so I took off the superstructure, filled it with pine straw and tube glue and set fire to it. This was the Battle of Savo Island. I threw firecrackers into the pond all around the model. Great scale geysers from "shell hits" and near misses. The flames rose higher and higher and then the Yamato, ably represented by an M-80, fired a salvo that did the US BB in, sending her to the bottom. In big pieces, little pieces, medium size pieces, flaming pieces. It was GREAT. Too bad I didn't take any pictures. Would have been something :)

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Jim Barton

Member since
February 2003

Posted by Jim Barton on Friday, November 21, 2003 5:31 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

Absolutely!
I have reels and reels of Super-8 film (now all transferred to video) documenting the demise of countless model kits. Influenced by Star Wars and other films, I seriously wanted to be a special effects technician, and did a lot of minature effects work as a teenager with my modeling buddies. Consequently, I built a lot of stuff with the intent to blow it up! I weakened key structures, and built in receptacles for ignition devices and explosives and other flammable materials to enhance the explosions. The parents never new till decades later!

Of course, the earlier days certainly featured the ocassional bottle rocket up the tailpipe of some old and tired kits, too.
Too bad I didn't get all those on film...

Wouldn't mind seeing some of THOSE videos! Smile [:)]

"Whaddya mean 'Who's flying the plane?!' Nobody's flying the plane!"

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Thursday, November 20, 2003 3:56 PM

Wroper

Send me a picture of it. At least that way I can prove I built something that would fly. Laugh [(-D]

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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wroper11

Member since
February 2003
From: Back home in Blanchard

Posted by wroper11 on Thursday, November 20, 2003 2:17 PM

Hey Berny,
Found that balsa thing in my backyard a few years back. It was well weathered from a long flight!!!

Wroper

USAF PRIME BEEF ENGINEERING READY...ANYTIME...ANYWHERE! HOORAH!</font id="blue">

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Lufbery

Member since
December 2002
From: Harrisburg, PA

Posted by Lufbery on Thursday, November 20, 2003 12:12 PM

October Sky is a fantastic movie! One of those rare flicks I can share with my whole family and not have somebody turned off because it's too violent or too chick-flicky.

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

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Bossman

Member since
December 2002

Posted by Bossman on Thursday, November 20, 2003 11:50 AM

Did anyone ever pull a model tank across a street with a string - in front of an unsuspecting vehicle.....

No - I didn't think so - who would ever do a thing like that. Besides - you would probably have to be prepared to run your butt off after the driver stopped and started to chase you. But that would never happen

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shrikes

Member since
November 2003
From: Manila, Philippines

Posted by shrikes on Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:40 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph

Hey Shrikes it's a good thing you brought this out! To think at that time I thought I was the only one doing it. It was real FUN. What I did then was collect the blackpowder from the firecrackers and stuff it inside my broken Mosquito and light the fuse. No big bang but there's a big flash and thick mushroom of smoke. I hate to throw my models even the broken ones so a lot of them made their exits this way on new years' eves.

Hehehe... Betcha it was one of them 5stars that the "sintaron ni judas" (Judas' Belt) and "sawa"s are made of, huh? *LMAO* Ah... kids are dumb (it takes one to know one Dunce [D)]

)! What's it they say: "Youth is wasted on the young"? Maybe now that we're older it's time to get our youth back! Evil [}:)]

Blackadder: This plan's as cunning as a fox that used to be Professor of cunning at Oxford University but has now moved on and is working with the U.N at the high commission of cunning planning

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:28 AM

At least you didn't do what my dad did when he was young. He threw a firecracker down the hole in an outhouse. Blew the whole thing apart. Censored [censored]

every where. My grandfather made him dig a new one and build another outhouse without any help. Dad said it took him several days to do the job. And he thought I was bad for putting firecrackers in old models, just to watch them blow up.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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nkm1416@info.com.ph

Member since
September 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by nkm1416@info.com.ph on Thursday, November 20, 2003 10:02 AM

Hey Shrikes it's a good thing you brought this out! To think at that time I thought I was the only one doing it. It was real FUN. What I did then was collect the blackpowder from the firecrackers and stuff it inside my broken Mosquito and light the fuse. No big bang but there's a big flash and thick mushroom of smoke. I hate to throw my models even the broken ones so a lot of them made their exits this way on new years' eves.

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allan

Member since
June 2003
From: Cavite, Philippines

Posted by allan on Thursday, November 20, 2003 9:09 AM

Great thread, Shrikes. Reminiscing those heady days, huh?

Ive had my share of firecrackers. I wanted to get "realistic" gunpowder soot (you cant get more realistic than this) on my heavy cruiser so I lit up some sparklers beside it. I was gonna astound and awe my friends with the result of this cutting edge approach. Apparently (and unfortunately), it was too close that a glowing chunk fell onto it, burning right through the deck.

No bucks, no Buck Rogers

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shrikes

Member since
November 2003
From: Manila, Philippines

Posted by shrikes on Thursday, November 20, 2003 8:56 AM

Shame, shame... Bad Influences, the whole lot of you! who started this thread anyhow?!? Big Smile [:D]

It reminds me of that movie a few years back - October Sky, i think it was called. This kid wanted to become a rocket scientist and his first rocket was a plastic model filled with gunpowder tied to his mom's fence. More like a grenade than a rocket. Blew the fence apart... hahaha!

Blackadder: This plan's as cunning as a fox that used to be Professor of cunning at Oxford University but has now moved on and is working with the U.N at the high commission of cunning planning

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Lufbery

Member since
December 2002
From: Harrisburg, PA

Posted by Lufbery on Thursday, November 20, 2003 8:46 AM

Maybe we should rate this thread NC-17 to keep the kiddies out. Wink [;)]

Regards,

-Drew

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

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Jeeves

Member since
February 2003
From: Saratoga Springs, NY

Posted by Jeeves on Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:34 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by B-36

Ya, I used to do this same thing when I was a kid, growing up on Lake Champlain. There's part of that Lake known as "Plastic Bottom Bay"

Heya B-36....

Where on Lake Champlain did you grow up?? I'm from Plattsburgh originally....spent most of my boyhood on the lake as well Smile [:)]

Mike

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 20, 2003 7:21 AM

The little CO2 capsules were originally designed to charge soda syphons.

Later they became the power source for early paintguns - Until we discovered 20 Oz CO2 Bottles.

Now, if you strapped one of those baby's to a 1/72 B-36.....

(Not that I'm suggesting that anybody should try!)

Cheers,

Rob M.

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Woody

Member since
December 2002
From: Third rock from the sun.

Posted by Woody on Thursday, November 20, 2003 6:11 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk

Absolutely!
Influenced by Star Wars and other films, I seriously wanted to be a special effects technician, and did a lot of minature effects work as a teenager with my modeling buddies. Consequently, I built a lot of stuff with the intent to blow it up! I weakened key structures, and built in receptacles for ignition devices and explosives and other flammable materials to enhance the explosions. The parents never new till decases later!

Of course, the earier days certainly featured the ocassional bottle rocket up the tailpipe af some old and tired kit, too.
Too bad I didn't get those on film, too...

Same here J-Hulk! I had a friend who wanted to make a Battlestar Galacttica film. I must have built at least 12 special effects Vipers. There never was a film in the can but they blowed up real good! LOL Tongue [:P]

" I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." --John Paul Jones

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Thursday, November 20, 2003 1:17 AM

Did make small houses when I was young and set them on fire. Of course, the toy fire truck always come to the rescue. Dangerous but it was a lot of fun.

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berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 11:06 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by hobs701

I remember getting these little 3-4 in cylinders but can't for the life of me remember where or what they were for.
Matt

The little gas cylinders were used in pellet guns. The first pellet gun I had used the gas cylinders to fire BB or .117 cal pellets. It was nothing more than compressed CO2. They made great rocket engines. I placed one on a balsa wood Douglas Skyrocket and fired it off. Never found the aircraft because after the CO2 ran out the aircraft was so high it just sailed away. Could have wound up anywhere.

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 9:31 PM

Wow! I thought I was the only one reenacting the battle of Midway in my back yard! I wish I had some of those old planes back.... Years ago you could get those little gas cylinders with a tin cap on them (I don't have any idea what they were really for) and you pierced the cap and got a few seconds of thrust...lots of Me 262s hit trees that way. I remember getting these little 3-4 in cylinders but can't for the life of me remember where or what they were for.

Matt

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 9:27 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by wroper11

When I was a kid I had built the old Lindberg Blue Devil Destroyer.
One winter we had a lot of rain and the ditches around the yard were wide anyway... so out came the destroyer and the .177 pellet gun! Oh boy that was fun but after an hour of receiving heavy enemy fire theold gal just wasn't boyant anymore.

Da. da. daaaaa
da. da. daaaa
da.da.da
da.da.da
da.da.da
da.de.daaaa

(thats Taps by the way!)
so now that everyone is crying...

Wroper

Ya, I used to do this same thing when I was a kid, growing up on Lake Champlain. There's part of that Lake known as "Plastic Bottom Bay" Big Smile [:D]

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leemitcheltree

Member since
January 2003
From: Washington State

Posted by leemitcheltree on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 8:35 PM

I used to get things called M-80's in California when I was a kid. They were pretty big and pretty damned noisy.
I stuck one in a 1/35 scale Walker Bulldog tank to simulate a "direct hit" (from what, I have no idea).
When the smoke cleared, there was no tank - only a hole in my neighbors yard the size of half a softball.
I told you those M-80's were big.
That was probably one of the more "tame" things I did that involved pyrotechnics or flames. The rest you don't want to know about............trust me.
Cheers
LeeTree

Cheers, LeeTree
Remember, Safety Fast!!!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:58 PM

LOL on halloween i took some crapped models i built like 9 years ago, stuffed m-80's and cherry bombs in them and boom a mushroom cloud!!!

oh and i stuffed some lighter fluid into a crapped plane and threw a broken zippo at it. zippo didnt break too much

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RAF120

Member since
March 2003
From: Exit 7a NJ Turnpike

Posted by RAF120 on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:27 PM

My best one was a 1/72 Hellcat that I glued a bottle rocket in with the fuse coming out the tail wheel. I hung it from a tree (as if in flight) and lit the fuse. When that thing blew all I had left was 2 wings attached to some thread hanging from a branch. I could not find enough pieces to ID the remains. Had to use dental records.

Trevor Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 5:12 PM

I must admit I strapped my fair share of rockets to planes and cars....I also did some pretty stupid things with a pellet gun.....never shot at live ammo though....I did take disposable lighters and shoot em....hit em just right and *bam* they blow up!

HEHEHE

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wroper11

Member since
February 2003
From: Back home in Blanchard

Posted by wroper11 on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 4:51 PM

When I was a kid I had built the old Lindberg Blue Devil Destroyer.
One winter we had a lot of rain and the ditches around the yard were wide anyway... so out came the destroyer and the .177 pellet gun! Big Smile [:D]

Oh boy that was fun but after an hour of receiving heavy enemy fire theold gal just wasn't boyant anymore. Sad [:(]

Da. da. daaaaa
da. da. daaaa
da.da.da
da.da.da
da.da.da
da.de.daaaa

(thats Taps by the way!)
so now that everyone is crying... Sad [:(]

Wroper

USAF PRIME BEEF ENGINEERING READY...ANYTIME...ANYWHERE! HOORAH!</font id="blue">

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lizardqing

Member since
July 2003
From: Dahlonega, Georgia

Posted by lizardqing on Wednesday, November 19, 2003 1:53 PM

We bypassed the bottle rockets in favor of the much larger ones. Strap 2 of them on a 1/48 plane and it will fly, though not to controled into the nieghbors house , catching her cat on fire, dad catching our tails on fire but man was it funny. Of coarse setting the Enterprise loose into the lake and opening fire with bb guns was a little more safe.

Chris The Scale Firehouse The Lizard's Workshop