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Backyard Ballistics:

Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices
Front Cover
35 Reviews
Chicago Review Press, Jun 1, 2001 - Science
Ordinary folks can construct 13 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple—a match-powered rocket—to the more complex—a scale-model, table-top catapult—to the offbeat—a tennis ball cannon. With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind the projects, and profiles scientists and extraordinary experimenters such as Alfred Nobel, Robert Goddard, and Isaac Newton. This book will be indispensable for the legions of backyard toy-rocket launchers and fireworks fanatics who wish every day was the fourth of July.
  

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Review: Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices

User Review  - Russ - Goodreads

Interesting, but I would have liked some more complex designs. The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery had more interesting designs, and I was hoping for something more in line with that. Read full review

Review: Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices

User Review  - Mike - Goodreads

Haven't built everything in this. But how can you not like it. Read full review

All 35 reviews »

Related books

Contents

1 Keeping Safety in Mind
1
2 The Potato Cannon
7
3 Back Porch Rocketry
23
4 The Cincinnati Fire Kite
49
5 Greek Fire and the Catapult
61
6 The Tennis Ball Mortar
77
7 The Flinger
89
8 Pnewtons Petard
103
9 The Dry Cleaner Bag Balloon
121
10 The Carbide Cannon
131
11 The Ballistic Pendulum
147
IDEAS FOR FURTHER STUDY
157
INDEX
165
More Excitement from Bill Gurstelle and Chicago Review Press
170
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