New Millennium Fireworks

NEW MILLENNIUM FIREWORKS

	Here is something that IS a reality, and a surprise. Brothers Pyrotechnics has begun manufacturing a new line of aerial fireworks called "Heavy Weights" These large items are being made to a new American specification that allows properly designed consumer fireworks to contain up to 500 grams of pyrotechnic composition. That's over twice the maximum weight allowed in the past, in the U.S. Here, Shawn O'Meara, one of my display crew members, shows off "Bulls Rule", a cake that fires 12 two-break 1.5 inch (38 mm) shells. This is a 6.5 pound (3 KG) total weight cake. Check out a poster about the 2002 Heavy Weights by clicking HERE. Brothers web site index page is at this URL: http://www.brotherspyrotechnics.com.
	2001 also brought a wide variety of Fan Cakes to the consumer market, scaled-down versions of pro fan cakes. Items such as Brothers Pyrotechnics "100 Yellow Ribbons" and Black Cat's "Sky Writer" fire a fan shaped row of effects into the air on each volley shot. Like the pro cakes, consumer fan cakes will have one side marked "Place this side toward the audience". That MUST be done for the effects to be seen correctly.
	Is this the future of consumer fireworks? Deluxe reloadable shell kits like this one containing 24 1.75 inch ( 44 mm) cylindrical shells are sold in numerous states in America. Each kit contains a heavy wall HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic mortar on a half-inch (13 mm) solid plastic base. All 24 shells are different effects. For American consumers this is the largest reloadable size shell available, far short of the smallest professional shell used, in both size and excitement. Still, these shells produce an impressive break of color and other effects in the sky. Countries that have never approved reloadable shells for consumers, or outlawed the sale of larger shells should consider these for sale.

BOTB III

March 17, 2001 I attended the Pyrotechnic Artists of Texas' "Blast On The Brazos III". At that event I finally got to meet and visit with my friend Dr. Paul Marriott (right) from Montreal, Canada. He attended the club meeting and display as my guest. Those familiar with my web site have no doubt seen his marvelous firework photo on my index page. Paul's wonderful web site is the home of very excellent firework photos and accounts of the Montreal Fireworks Competition.

Just when I thought Paul Marriott (right) held the record for traveling the most distance to attend our club event, I was introduced to another special guest, from China. Dong Junwei (left) now holds that distinction, which may never be eclipsed. I enjoyed visiting with Dong Junwei very much too, he gave me some new insights into the world of Chinese fireworks and factories. I continue to make new friends around the world, thanks to fireworks and my web site.

The display had widely varied types of fireworks including 30 and 50 mm Roman candle fronts, mines and over 1000 shells.
Photo by Dr. Paul Marriott.

As usual, my portion of the club display was to set up large pro display "cakes", shown in the foreground. We used a total of 16 display cakes and many smaller cakes.
Photo by Dr. Paul Marriott.

Here's a closeup of one of those cakes which is larger than those pictured on my Fireworks 2000 page. This box is 25 shots of 2.5 inch (65 mm) shells, firing color palm tree shells first, then finishing with titanium salutes. This barrage weighs approximately 50 pounds (23 KG).

One of the highlights of the display was simultaneous firing of four 12 inch (300 mm) shells. I was very happy with the photo I got, and hope viewers like it too.

Need mortars or vertical racks for the 1.75 inch (44 mm) American consumer reloadable shells? Charlie Kirk and Chris Roth sell heavy-duty mortars for U.S. $3 each. Buy 50 and they will put them in this well-engineered firing rack box at no additional cost. I liked this rack so well I bought one. If you are interested, e-mail Charlie by clicking HERE. (snapper@tgn.net)

For U.S. $175, Charles and Chris make the sturdy 50 shot 1.75 inch (44 mm) spread rack shown here. The outer rows are angled 10 and 20 degrees on each side. Of course, both racks can be used for mines or comet barrages too. If you are interested, e-mail Charlie by clicking HERE. (snapper@tgn.net) You have my assurance that these mortars and mortar boxes are made by licensed pyros that care about their products.

Every pyrotechnician needs a good case cutter knife. Here's one that makes it easy to change the blade. No more hunting for a screwdriver to have to disassemble the entire knife to get a new blade. The Stanley model 10-499 makes it easy. Extend the blade, push the blade release button and remove the old blade. Push the handle open button, which opens the spare blade storage tray, take out a new blade and lock it into place on the end. What could be simpler?

A FEW SCENES FROM THE PYROTECHNIC ARTISTS OF TEXAS PYROFEST 4, MAY 12, 2001

I fired the pro low level portion of this display. The display began with a beautiful pyrotechnic waterfall scene. Some people call this effect a Niagara Falls. Special sets of waterfall tubes are mounted between tall poles and the bright sparks fall all the way to the ground.

Probably the most unique "cake" fired was this one. It is a large box called "Charging Wasps" that contains 4000 bottle rockets. These all fire in about 10 seconds. The sky becomes a virtual firestorm of gold rocket tails. Quite an incredible Chinese effect.

The audience was treated to many multiple shell firings during the high level part of the display. As many as five shells were fired with a single cue, keeping the sky lit up in a myriad of colors.

A wonderful variety of bright shells were treats for all who attended Pyrofest 4 also.

	March 17, 2001 I attended the Pyrotechnic Artists of Texas' "Blast On The Brazos III". At that event I finally got to meet and visit with my friend Dr. Paul Marriott (right) from Montreal, Canada. He attended the club meeting and display as my guest. Those familiar with my web site have no doubt seen his marvelous firework photo on my index page. Paul's wonderful web site is the home of very excellent firework photos and accounts of the Montreal Fireworks Competition.
	Just when I thought Paul Marriott (right) held the record for traveling the most distance to attend our club event, I was introduced to another special guest, from China. Dong Junwei (left) now holds that distinction, which may never be eclipsed. I enjoyed visiting with Dong Junwei very much too, he gave me some new insights into the world of Chinese fireworks and factories. I continue to make new friends around the world, thanks to fireworks and my web site.
	The display had widely varied types of fireworks including 30 and 50 mm Roman candle fronts, mines and over 1000 shells. Photo by Dr. Paul Marriott.
	As usual, my portion of the club display was to set up large pro display "cakes", shown in the foreground. We used a total of 16 display cakes and many smaller cakes. Photo by Dr. Paul Marriott.
	Here's a closeup of one of those cakes which is larger than those pictured on my Fireworks 2000 page. This box is 25 shots of 2.5 inch (65 mm) shells, firing color palm tree shells first, then finishing with titanium salutes. This barrage weighs approximately 50 pounds (23 KG).
	One of the highlights of the display was simultaneous firing of four 12 inch (300 mm) shells. I was very happy with the photo I got, and hope viewers like it too.

	I fired the pro low level portion of this display. The display began with a beautiful pyrotechnic waterfall scene. Some people call this effect a Niagara Falls. Special sets of waterfall tubes are mounted between tall poles and the bright sparks fall all the way to the ground.
	Probably the most unique "cake" fired was this one. It is a large box called "Charging Wasps" that contains 4000 bottle rockets. These all fire in about 10 seconds. The sky becomes a virtual firestorm of gold rocket tails. Quite an incredible Chinese effect.
	The audience was treated to many multiple shell firings during the high level part of the display. As many as five shells were fired with a single cue, keeping the sky lit up in a myriad of colors.
	A wonderful variety of bright shells were treats for all who attended Pyrofest 4 also.