On Tue, 2 May 2006 16:05:41 -0400, "Morgans"
wrote:


"Kingfish" wrote

To avoid another TWA 800 tragedy, you'd need a fuel cell inerting
device. Then again, without any lives at risk it'd make an impressive
aerial flamethrower...

Why not put a collector on the exhaust, and a small combustion chamber with
igniter. Jet power, anyone? g

Same inquisitive kid as the Air Hog Guppy. He runs a fireworks stand
so he has a supply of rockets. He bought one of the foam gliders with
about a 30" span. We completely covered it with metallic HVAC tape.
Made it amazingly strong and stiff.

We cut the explosive charge off of 3 of the large rockets. The
propulsion motors were joined into a three stage and mounted on the
belly of the glider.

Two lengths of pvc pipe were cantilevered at the guesstimated proper
angle for a launch rail. After the requisite countdown, the fuse was
lit. That thing took off like a...rocket.

The second stage kicked in on the vertical side of a perfect loop. It
completed a 3/4 loop and rolled upright just as the third stage
touched off. I've seen RC jets at 200mph and this thing must have been
doing at least half that when it came over us...headed straight for my
pickup. Luckily, I had been checking the oil and the hood was up or it
would have gone right through the windshield. No fire but there was an
explosion of foam from the impact.

Any use of "we" instead of "he" in this story is inadvertent.

--Andy Asberry recommends NewsGuy--