NoPax,
The main part of the cartridge is the stick of cordite and at the striker end there is the standard shotgun cartridge percussion cap.
Between the two there was a collection of what looked like large rat **** that are called the fast burners.
The percusion cap is not sufficient to get a steady burn so the fast burners got it all going.
Took many apart as an aprenti and the party trick was to take a screw top tobacco tin, drill some 1/8 th holes in the base and the sides. pulling the side holes in radial direction.
The Coffman cartridge was then dismantled the fast burners laid on the bottom of the tin with cordite chopped up with a penknife and put on top. The top was firmly screwed on, the tin was set between two bricks, a pice of petrol soaked rag was put between the bricks, a match thrown and RUN !!
Very spectacular ( accompanied by a banshee scream !) with some quite extended "flights "
Definitely livened up a lunch time !
Until banned by management
