The time had come; all preparations were made, Kevin’s science project (a model rocket-powered helicopter) was given a final application of reinforcing duct tape in hopes that it would help prevent the total disintegration of the helicopter’s balsa-wood propellers and body. A (hard-boiled) egg passenger was strapped into a sling beneath the rotors. We took the unlikely aircraft down to the local park for its maiden flight, with quite a crowd of neighbors gathered to watch.
We hooked up the rockets to some 20-guage wire with alligator clips. I stripped the other ends of the wires, and conneted them to the lantern battery we had brought and….
No ignition. Too much resistance in the wires, not enough amperage.
That meant there was only one solution: for me to shorten the wires. That meant getting up close and personal with four model rocket engines.
“This is either going to be on America’s Funniest Home Videos or Jack-Ass,” I said.
“Want me to turn off the tape?” Kevin asked.
“No, we’ll need a record for the insurance company.”
And here’s what happened.
Only one rocket fired, resulting in unbalanced thrust and a spectacular mechanical explosion as momentum of the rocket tore the helicopter apart. Pieces were thrown 10 feet away. No parents (or, for that matter, eggs–amazingly enough) were harmed in the process.