If Roger (Mr. Fox) is really concerned about this, he could act like a parent and put a stop to it. (He could have even stopped it before it got this far.)
One day, my brother and I decided to send a plastic model of an F-15 fighter jet streaking across our backyard.
The only question was how do we control it? We were familiar with model rocketry and came up with a novel solution. Instead of using a 3-foot vertical guide rod, we would use 150 feet of wire stretched tightly across the yard, tied to the fence!
We made a harness that would cradle the model as it went down its journey. We then gave it TWO size-C model rocket engines. Just to be sure.
We fully expected to see the F-15 fly across the yard and coast to a stop by the time it reached the other side. We even dry-tested it to make sure. With great anticipation, we backed up, inserted the safety key on our hand-held controller, counted down, and pressed the launch button.
Now, this was in the days before YouTube, and I have always felt a (slight) pang of regret that we didn’t SOMEHOW capture what happened next for future generations to behold. Only one of the two rocket engines ignited, and yet the F-15 shot forward like a hornet. It rotated on the harness after twenty feet or so down the wire, broke free of it and flung itself skyward…where it exploded into a thousand pieces about thirty feet above the ground.
We stood speechless as the fluttering pieces of plastic made their way down. As amateur pyromaniacs, that was the crowning achievement of our childhood.
Melville the Calvinite about 1 year ago
Neighborhood? Try planet!
Imagine about 1 year ago
If it doesn’t just go BOOM first.
RuinQueenofOblivion about 1 year ago
Well then maybe you should skip the grill this year, Roger.
ꜝ about 1 year ago
I know, I know, it’s a cartoon but…
what do you think will happen to that “hot glue” when you light those?
LookingGlass Premium Member about 1 year ago
I see that he’s “channeling” his inner ….. “Crankshaft!!!”
/SHMIRK/
Erse IS better about 1 year ago
Not as good an idea as most of Amend’s Sunday strips. The fuses are going to be a problem just fitting them… and then there’s the issue of timing.
allen@home about 1 year ago
I’d like to be there when they light that thing.
Kroykali about 1 year ago
Today’s classic FoxTrot Sunday strip:
https://www.gocomics.com/foxtrot/2002/06/30
Zykoic about 1 year ago
You gotta do it in stages.
minty_Joe about 1 year ago
This one always made me crack up!
https://www.gocomics.com/foxtrot/1997/10/13
thevideostoreguy about 1 year ago
Go big or go home. Well, hopefully you CAN go home after that thing goes off in the front yard….
Doug K about 1 year ago
If Roger (Mr. Fox) is really concerned about this, he could act like a parent and put a stop to it. (He could have even stopped it before it got this far.)
joeboronat about 1 year ago
One day, my brother and I decided to send a plastic model of an F-15 fighter jet streaking across our backyard.
The only question was how do we control it? We were familiar with model rocketry and came up with a novel solution. Instead of using a 3-foot vertical guide rod, we would use 150 feet of wire stretched tightly across the yard, tied to the fence!
We made a harness that would cradle the model as it went down its journey. We then gave it TWO size-C model rocket engines. Just to be sure.
We fully expected to see the F-15 fly across the yard and coast to a stop by the time it reached the other side. We even dry-tested it to make sure. With great anticipation, we backed up, inserted the safety key on our hand-held controller, counted down, and pressed the launch button.
Now, this was in the days before YouTube, and I have always felt a (slight) pang of regret that we didn’t SOMEHOW capture what happened next for future generations to behold. Only one of the two rocket engines ignited, and yet the F-15 shot forward like a hornet. It rotated on the harness after twenty feet or so down the wire, broke free of it and flung itself skyward…where it exploded into a thousand pieces about thirty feet above the ground.
We stood speechless as the fluttering pieces of plastic made their way down. As amateur pyromaniacs, that was the crowning achievement of our childhood.
fgerbil46 about 1 year ago
What? No calls from NORAD?
Gen.Flashman about 1 year ago
Sure the neighborhood dogs will appreciate it.
Plumbob Wilson about 1 year ago
Many years ago my cousin suffered shrapnel wounds when a defective Estes rocket blew up on the launcher.
chromosome Premium Member about 1 year ago
For as smart as he is about math, he sometimes shows a remarkable ignorance of physics.
Fatrabbit20 about 1 year ago
You can buy the “mosquito” on Amazon for $7.73. Buy it today, get it wednesday.
jel354 about 1 year ago
Yet Andy never gets a call from the FDA.
nospam4sdo about 1 year ago
This was addressed in an XKCD “What If” question https://what-if.xkcd.com/24/
Lady loves a joke about 1 year ago
This year, it may be the Fire Marshal or ATF!
ladykat about 1 year ago
I go for the best fireworks display.
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 1 year ago
This does help make the case for ending consumer fireworks.
ajr58(1) about 1 year ago
Designed by Elon Musk?
Daltongang Premium Member about 1 year ago
The FAA? They’re wussies. Now getting two fighter jets scrambled is a different story. Trust me, I know.
mindjob about 1 year ago
Jason will provide the neighbors with a great story about UFOs
scyphi26 about 1 year ago
I’m no rocket scientist, but even I know that “rocket” will just burst ineffectively into flames at best.
Eric Klein about 1 year ago
Says the man who needs to notify NASA when he is doing a BBQ incase the ISS is passing over head.
William Bednar Premium Member about 1 year ago
Looks like Jason is not quite as smart as he’s presented.
jimboylan about 1 year ago
There’s a difference between this and Roger’s cooking grill?
mfrasca about 1 year ago
CAPCOM is Crankshaft.
the lost wizard about 1 year ago
I’m gonna need more beer. :)
EMGULS79 about 1 year ago
“My name is Clark W. Griswold, and I heartily endorse this product!”
JHL1 about 1 year ago
I think he has a Logitech controller for it
dlaemmerhirt999 about 1 year ago
Awww. I loved making rockets in high school!
CaptB about 1 year ago
What does it say on their hats? I can’t make it out. Looks like “Jim” something
dbrucepm about 1 year ago
STEM project?
sperry532 about 1 year ago
Or a trip to the ER.
Jacob Mattingly about 1 year ago
And Andy would like to go one 4th without you setting yourself on fire. Some things you just can’t change.
6turtle9 about 1 year ago
Earth shattering KaBooM! in 3, 2, 1 ….
jvscanlan Premium Member about 1 year ago
oh look who’s talking . . .
ckirlew about 1 year ago
I’m wondering if Bill A. is a member of NAR. He gets many details just right. Really loved this one, and it was on my monthly rocket day.
Printer about 1 year ago
I wanna know where these guys got the money. The rocket engines were expensive in my day. Late 60s
ogsbury about 1 year ago
His grilling skills might be just as spectacular.
vonskippy 12 months ago
The Jason kid is suppose to be a super genius yet thinks that Tinkertoy will make it to mars. Way to go killing his boy genius image.
Trscroggs 12 months ago
Doesn’t he cause an FAA call every time he lights the grill?
MailbuEd 12 months ago
Or the fire department; or the police; or Homeland Security.
T... 12 months ago
Let’s see, in amoment, that’s three less characters for this comic strip…