Aerial mine shells

[Nessalco]

I've come up with what I think is a nifty design for aerial mine shells (waterfall or horsetail shells), using half a ball shell case and ramboard walls to make a lidded cup. I've made 3", 4", and 5" shells and they all have worked nicely. The break and projection can be controlled independently and very easily, from a barely audible 'plop' to a good solid 'wham!' with projection from virtually none (dump) to a decent mine effect.

 

Any interest? I'll write the process up as an article if someone will benefit from the effort.

 

Kevin

[NeighborJ]

Nessalco, are these rocket headers or shells? Because I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of half a shell launching from a tube.

OK sorry, after reading the post more thoroughly, it sounds like you are using a hemi to cap a shell casing without spiking. I've made similar shells by wrapping Kraft around a case former and pulling the ends together like a loaf of bread and tieing. I use them as headers but I don't think they'll survive a tube launch.

Edited November 9, 2016 by NeighborJ

[Nessalco]

Could be either, Neighbor. Here's a pic of a partially completed 3" case.

 

They stand up to launching from a gun just fine. The 5" version weighed 1100g, and on a couple I used an oversize lift charge (100g) to test their strength. No problems.

 

Kevin

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nessalco

[NeighborJ]

Nice, I suppose timing wouldn't be an issue at all, in fact it may even help if it burst on the move. Those things may not look right in the sky if timed to apogee nor with a flash bag. It would be perfect for inserts.

[Nessalco]

By golly. Never thought of them for inserts. Thanks!

 

For the softest effect, you don't even use a break charge. The prime on the stars is adequate to break the shell and give a nice effect.

 

Kevin

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nessalco

[Mumbles]

I'd love to see a tutorial. Thanks for being so generous with the things you devise. I'd love to see a couple in action too.

[Nessalco]

I'll put an article together. It will take a bit of time to take and post the pics.

 

In this (low quality) vid of my show from this year there are a bunch of 3" and 4" horsetail shells. A good example can be found at 5:08, where four 3" shells with Sunrise Yellow stars go up. In the finale, starting at 14:40 or so, there are a bunch of these shells mixed in.

 

https://youtu.be/Og0fwYniJjI

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nessalco

[NeighborJ]

Nessalco,nice show and beautiful shells. I just threw one of your shells together and flew it on a whistle. It was very easy to construct and it worked well but I think I'll need to make some adjustments to get that horsetail effect. My rocket went way too high and was still in a rapid ascent when it broke. I used too much confeinment with filament tape and you were right about only using the stars for burst. I think the flames never reached the top of the shell before the case opened causing 1/2 the stars to blow blind. Next time I'll use a much smaller motor, no mcrh, less stars and less confeinment. The shell is a good design and nice job with the show.

[Nessalco]

Thanks, Neighbor. Appreciate the feedback.

 

Came across a decent still pic of the effect. Some Buell red rolled stars in a 3" shell. Really need to use a tailed star to get the best results.

Edited November 9, 2016 by Nessalco

[MondoMage]

I'd love to see a tutorial. Thanks for being so generous with the things you devise. I'd love to see a couple in action too.

 

I second that. I've seen lots of horsetail articles and things but I believe this is the first time I've seen anything like what you've come up with. I'd love to see more about it.

 

And that was a great show, also!