Remember The Cap Rockets?

Discussion in 'Other Reminiscences' started by Hal Pollner, Sep 1, 2019.

  1. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    These were small stamped metal cups with the smaller cup making a tight press-fit into the larger cup, which was about 1" in diameter and 3/4" deep.

    The smaller cup was filled with tar and had a feather imbedded in it. This was the Rocket, and the large cup was the Launcher.

    You placed a single-shot paper cap in the big cup, then pushed the small cup in to make contact with the cap.

    Then you tossed the rocket about 8-10 feet in the air over a hard surface, and when it hit, the cap would explode, sending the feathered cup high in the air.

    The feather would stabilize the Rocket when returning to Earth.

    I sure miss those little honeys!

    Hal
     
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  2. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Hal Pollner
    Why not make some?
    Frank
     
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  3. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
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    I don't have the dies for stamping metal cups from flat stock.

    Hal
     
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  4. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Hal Pollner
    Understood. I have the equipment to make the dies. And an axle press which could sub for a punch press, slow, but how many parts do we need?

    I think more interesting were the "torpedos" seen when I was a kid. Usually marble-shaped, maybe 3/4 inch diameter, containing a few heavy particles and some explosive material, like silver fulminate. They exploded when thrown against a wall, or up in the air to fall on pavement. Illegal today.
    Frank
     
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  5. Bess Barber

    Bess Barber Veteran Member
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  6. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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