Went to a model rocket launch at NASA’s Wallops Island facility about 20 years ago, perhaps longer. One of the models was a scale-model space shuttle. When they first counted it down, it didn’t launch. “Just like the real thing,” I cracked to a friend. After a while they came back to it and tried a second time to launch it — and again it didn’t fire. “Yep, just like the real thing,” I quipped. Took them something like four tries to get that model off the launch pad.
This was why I eventually gave up on the electrical igniters and went with good old fuse. You could buy rolls of the green “water-proof” fuse at most hobby stores, and 4 or 5 inches of it would give you plenty of time to get to cover. And it darn near always worked.
juicebruce about 10 years ago
Always was nice to hear the woosh as a kid !
fixer1967 about 10 years ago
A damp or wet igniter (electric match) will cause a time delay.http://www.hobbylinc.com/rockets/group/igniter1.gif
K M about 10 years ago
Went to a model rocket launch at NASA’s Wallops Island facility about 20 years ago, perhaps longer. One of the models was a scale-model space shuttle. When they first counted it down, it didn’t launch. “Just like the real thing,” I cracked to a friend. After a while they came back to it and tried a second time to launch it — and again it didn’t fire. “Yep, just like the real thing,” I quipped. Took them something like four tries to get that model off the launch pad.
docopenhaver about 10 years ago
This was why I eventually gave up on the electrical igniters and went with good old fuse. You could buy rolls of the green “water-proof” fuse at most hobby stores, and 4 or 5 inches of it would give you plenty of time to get to cover. And it darn near always worked.
Brass Orchid Premium Member about 10 years ago
Where did Bob go in the middle panel?