On Mon, 12 Oct 1998, Tom Handley wrote:

>    Peter, this really does'nt apply to model rockets that are available here.
> The engines are solid propellant manufactured to very strict standards and are
> very similar to the Space Shuttle SRBs, etc. I can understand why such a hobby
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Ouch. I get the point but that was not such a good example imho. If the
failure rate of model rocket engines would equal the SRBs that hobby would
have disappeared a long time ago.

> allow the hobby under some kind of control (ie: engine purchase for
> educators), it can be very educational, fun, and safe.

I agree. But...

> started back in the 60's with Estes rockets and engines. Back then they still
> used fuzes that you lit with a match... Then the wire ignitor. Now days they
> coat the ignitor with a material that improves the reliability of ignition.

Actually I did not SAY that I did not DO such things. Small lightbulbs
with the glass removed and embedded in alcohool-wetted black powder make
excellent ignitors in my memory (after drying)... They are fired with
about 4 * over-voltage and reach the melting temperature of Tungsten, plus
produce a small arc when they burn through. Just like modern fuze caps ;)
Don't try this at home please, getting the variables right involves some
amount of destruction.

Peter