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To: Fresh Wind

Once when I was a kid I got a Big Bang cannon for Christmas.

I loved it, and would sit on the back porch for hours firing it. Once the “Bangsite” fuel ran out, there was no more to be had. Now I understand why.

I discovered that if you didn’t clear out the fumes after firing, you got a nice puff of flame when you fired it again and very little noise.

I also, in collaboration with my brother, made rockets by filling tin cans with matcheads as fuel. They always blew up before going to far.


41 posted on 08/04/2026 8:45:03 AM PDT by Fresh Wind
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To: Fresh Wind
...made rockets by filling tin cans with match heads as fuel...

My brother and I made rockets from rolled up and glued note cards, fueled with potassium nitrate and powdered sugar. Those puppies made it to the next neighborhood a mile away.

The black powder versions had mixed reviews.

59 posted on 08/04/2026 9:17:06 AM PDT by GingisK
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To: Fresh Wind
clear out the fumes after firing

Great tip!

73 posted on 08/04/2026 9:48:47 AM PDT by HandyDandy (“Borders, language and culture.” Michael Savage)
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