Aerolites

[aquataur]

Althoug thematically loosely belonging to an earlier thread, I thought I start a new thread.

 

I think what I am looking for is called an "aerolite". I have known this item before, but obviously not understood before now.

 

I read about this in the "Westech manual" and in Weingart´s book "Pyrotechnics".

 

AEROLITES: "These are made by placing a comet star at the bottom of a short gun with a blowing charge but no match. Over the star is placed 2 inches of candle composition and over this 1 inch of bengal fire." [WEINGART, p. 129, reprint 2001 by Survival Press]

 

Unfortunately, I can find no more information on this. Has anybody tried such an item before?

 

With candle composition they mean the kind of composition that is used in roman candles as relay between consecutive stars as explained elsewhere.

I guess a pretty slow variation of BP is needed here.

 

What is not said is how you fire this thing. To my understanding, you light the candle composition, which ejects the bengal fire in a spray and, a fraction of a second later, ejects the comet. It makes no sense to me lighting the bengal fire first..

 

As explained in the other tread on mines, we pyrotechnics (N.B. this term has probably a whole different meaning over here, i.e. people licenced as professional display operator) are only allowed to use prefabricated material. Fortunately, comets of many variations and sizes (15 mm, 24 mm, 45 mm, 60mm) are readily available and due to mass-production comparably economic although of high quality. Same for BP of all sorts.

 

Can you guys imagine using commercial BP (say, F grade or coarser) for what is called for here? Is there any way (with charcoal?) of making it slower?

 

I will also try Pyrohawk´s idea of putting some of my aluminium grit on top of the candle compo. Maybe a litte iron oxide or sodium bicarbonate would not disturb. I guess, mixing up workshop debris with wall-paint pigment plus a little baking soda could not exactly be called a pyrotechnical composition even by the most ill-meaning official.

 

And indeed, I will try charcoal, not too fine...

 

Thanks,

 

Helmut

[Arthur]

Bengal compositions have flame and colour and take time, SO think that lighting the Bengal Comp is a pretty delay match! then the candle comp -yes roman candle delay mix from the old composition delay construction, this will eject bits of charcoal as well as sparks. Then the star will light and the lift powder will blow the star into its trajectory.

 

 

candle composition is well made BP with added charcoal in coarse mesh sizes. the main fire from 200mesh pass charcoal the sparks being charcoal of about 4 mesh to 40 mesh.

[aquataur]

Bengal compositions have flame and colour and take time, SO think that lighting the Bengal Comp is a pretty delay match!

Arthur, I am not sure If I understand you here. Are you suggesting, that lighting the bengal fire will take its time?

 

Also I wonder, if the candle comp is meant to provide some sort of delay (in the seconds range?) before the star gets ejected.

[Arthur]

Yes Bengal Match compound will take a few seconds probably 5 - 10secs, and true candle comp will burn slowly like an un choked fountain, could run for 5 - 15 seconds, then the star is ejected.