[dalereed]

"We didn't have access to black powder, but we learned that if you bought CO2 cartridges and punctured them to let that nasty CO2 out, you could then fill them with shaved off match heads"

I didn't have access to powder either (except for removing it from bullets) but in the 40s you could buy all the makings for black powder at the drug store. I made firecrackers, one that was 2' tall and 6" in dia. that shook the entire neighborhood. I also took and packed 50 cal. surplus cartrigages with it, crimped the ends around a fuse and set them off on a launch ramp.

Kids just can't have any fun anymone!

[Fresh Wind]

CO2 cartridges made great rockets when filled with matcheads!

[Orangedog]

didn't have access to powder either (except for removing it from bullets) but in the 40s you could buy all the makings for black powder at the drug store. I made firecrackers, one that was 2' tall and 6" in dia. that shook the entire neighborhood. I also took and packed 50 cal. surplus cartrigages with it, crimped the ends around a fuse and set them off on a launch ramp.

Spent C and D size model rocket engines made excellent casings for improvised firecrackers!