Bottle rocket launcher

[/pine]

I made one once with a 10" by 4' piece of plywood and a dozen foot long sections of 1/2" hard copper flared on one end...
The tubes slipped into holes drilled in the plywood...But I went a step farther...!
Using a tel-com switching lug I ran a pair of individual conductors to each tube with small alligator clips attached...
...The lug was energized with a 12v automotive battery through a relay/button switch...

The rockets were fitted with *hair* wires (bent into a V shape)...the fuses removed and the hair wires pushed into where the fuse was...the ends separated and attached to the alligator clips...one touch of the button 12 bottle rockets would launch instantaneously (no fuse delay)...it was awesome...!

* for hair wires...we mostly used aluminum wires cut and separated from a scrap of old window screen etc...

It took a little time to set up each launch but it was a lot of fun...!

 

[davesl708]

Better get a patent on the Mark II.:thumbsup:

 

[4570Man]

Here is a breech loading tennis ball cannon, and breech loading marble shooter I made. The tennis ball cannon shoots about 50 yards, but its performance could be improved with a longer barrel. The marble shooter can shoot at least 150 yards.

 

[Mace Canute]

Ok I need a pic to see what you are talking about. Ed

No pics but here's a website that should explain it. It doesn't show the release catch which on the one I made is hooked to a rope and releases with a good quick pull.

https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/rocket/rktbot.html

 

[rd_macgregor]

Apparently you can buy simple kits for this, like the one used by the Crazy Russian (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ycet2CrLrw).

Here is someone who carries the bottle rocket concept a bit far, though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qzOzjRJpaU. I guess this way he can get rid of those pesky empties without having to tote them to the recycling depot. Still, I prefer this kind of missile to those guys who blast anvils; I wouldn't want one of those for a close neighbour.