[patrickescotland]

I came across these on Star Fireworks site (a sister company to Cosmic fireworks). Has anyone tried them? This is one of the first ever daytime fireworks I have seen. Thinking about placing an order around Christmas, the delivery is relatively cheap at £15.

I have fond memories of the parachute flares of the 70's and 80's and, like many others here, wish they would bring them back to consumers.

Parachute smoke (£10 each)

http://www.starfireworks.co.uk/moreinfo.as...e+Smoke+cake%2E

Funny Face Rockets (£12 for 5)

http://www.starfireworks.co.uk/moreinfo.as...azing+effect%2E

[Mixologist]

patrickescotland, on Nov 25 2008, 08:36 PM, said:

I came across these on Star Fireworks site (a sister company to Cosmic fireworks). Has anyone tried them? This is one of the first ever daytime fireworks I have seen. Thinking about placing an order around Christmas, the delivery is relatively cheap at £15.

I have fond memories of the parachute flares of the 70's and 80's and, like many others here, wish they would bring them back to consumers.

Parachute smoke (£10 each)

http://www.starfireworks.co.uk/moreinfo.as...e+Smoke+cake%2E

Funny Face Rockets (£12 for 5)

http://www.starfireworks.co.uk/moreinfo.as...azing+effect%2E

The parachute cake is very good in all fairness!!

And the smiley rockets are hit and miss.... fire all 5 at the same time and you may get a couple the right way round!! Black Cat ring shell rockets are also good at about the same price point...

This post has been edited by Mixologist: 25 November 2008 - 08:43 PM

[ExplosiveCoek]

Mixologist, on Nov 25 2008, 09:39 PM, said:

And the smiley rockets are hit and miss.... fire all 5 at the same time and you may get a couple the right way round!! Black Cat ring shell rockets are also good at about the same price point...

No, you're wrong. When you shoot those shells you're right since they are spinning in every direction in the air then. But when placed on a rocket you can place the shell whatever you like to make sure you see the smiley. So when properly made you'll always see the smiley .

[chimp]

ExplosiveCoek, on Nov 27 2008, 12:39 PM, said:

No, you're wrong. When you shoot those shells you're right since they are spinning in every direction in the air then. But when placed on a rocket you can place the shell whatever you like to make sure you see the smiley. So when properly made you'll always see the smiley .

Not necessarily - depends on whether the rocket is travelling vertically or has veered into the horizontal when it breaks. Remember the old Love Heart rockets?? not all worked out as expected.

[Mortartube]

I'd be interested to know how the parachute cake passes Cat 2 testing, because I bet the units are still burning if they drift further than 2 metres from the firework and therefore it's a failure!!!

This post has been edited by Mortartube: 27 November 2008 - 02:28 PM

[Mixologist]

No im afraid im not wrong. They suffer from wind terribly. Also if the rocket happens to break side on you just see a bit of a mess!! Ive had a few packs and have seen the results. The old Whoppa Heart rockets as someone has previously said suffer in the same way.

You.... are therefore wrong Sir!

[Starsky72]

Quote

No im afraid im not wrong. They suffer from wind terribly. Also if the rocket happens to break side on you just see a bit of a mess!! Ive had a few packs and have seen the results. The old Whoppa Heart rockets as someone has previously said suffer in the same way.

You.... are therefore wrong Sir!

agree with that - have seen quite a few of these Smiley face rockets and I would say you are fortunate to get more than 10 to 20% that burst in an orientation that gives you a recogniseable smiley face.

[chimp]

Yep, that's us pretty much all agreed then - Smiley Face rockets don't always leave a smile on your face.

Save your money and buy a pack of rockets that offer a decent peony break with a good saturation of stars, and secondary crackle if you're lucky enough.

[crystal palace fireworks]

If the round shell was say angled at 45 degree`s when attached to a rocket head (towards you), and then the rocket fired away from you at slight angle,........would this not go some way in solving the problem of not seeing the smiley face?,...........in other words, even if it spins (turns) slightly, you have a higher percentage chance of seeing it full or half on!, but the right way up!

or would rocket fins lessen the chance of it turning?

[ExplosiveCoek]

chimp, on Nov 27 2008, 02:59 PM, said:

Not necessarily - depends on whether the rocket is travelling vertically or has veered into the horizontal when it breaks. Remember the old Love Heart rockets?? not all worked out as expected.

Just use a decent rocket (homemade..)

crystal palace fireworks, on Nov 27 2008, 08:39 PM, said:

If the round shell was say angled at 45 degree`s when attached to a rocket head (towards you), and then the rocket fired away from you at slight angle,........would this not go some way in solving the problem of not seeing the smiley face?,...........in other words, even if it spins (turns) slightly, you have a higher percentage chance of seeing it full or half on!, but the right way up!

or would rocket fins lessen the chance of it turning?

That's what I said to. If you make them yourself and place it on a decent rocket they should work I guess..

Here is a how to on how to make pattern shells.

[David]

The UKFR footage is useful here- they show 5 (I think) Smiley Face Rockets fired in turn, from a demo evening.

[patrickescotland]

Ok, thanks for the info, although its fascinating seeing how those shells are made, I won't be making my own!

We have had the black cat HEART rockets before and 2 out of the three worked well. I will buy a few smileys for new year and let you know the success rate. I'll also make videos of the parachute smokes and report back to the forum.

[Karl]

Has anyone tried the Parachute Smoke cakes lately? Just got the Cosmic trade-list through and wondered if they're worth getting this year.

[David]

Lol- I was reading through this, thinking that there was a sudden spurt of interest, then I noticed the posting dates.

Regarding the paracute flares cake, I had one, total waste of time. About a quarter didn't work, and those that did put out a tiny bit of smoke, then just drifted a bit.

I mean, it's a nice idea, but for nearly £20 , it's a very limited effect.

Also, I think the site is in error, I'd say this was a Cat 3 item.