Cylindrical Parachute Shells

A) Cross matched time fuse or spolette B) Hard board end plug C) Black powder D) Retainer E) Sawdust F) Flare composition G) Flare container H) End plug with hanging loop I) Sawdust wadding J) Fireproof string between flare and parachute strings K) Parachute L) Cardboard disc M) Paper covering Shell design based on the design by Ronald Lancaster. The parachute should be folded as described in FAST by Shimizu. The retainer is needed to prevent damaging the time fuse when lifting the shell. The retainer is covered by a thin piece of paper to prevent the black powder from leaking out. The sawdust should be passing 40 mesh preferably and should be absolutely dry. The parachute can be made of Japanese gampi paper, but any other highly flexible paper with long fibers can be used. To unfold the parachute reliable, the paper should be dusted with talcum powder before folding. The minimum weight of the flare for a parachute is calculated with the following formula: cr
2

In this formula, r is the distance from the center of the parachute to the border. The value for c was determined experimentally, and depends on the units one is measuring with. The maximum weight is not definable, as this will only affect the speed the parachute is falling with. The optimal weight is estimated to be somewhere between 1.5 and 2 times the minimum weight of the flare. Unit gram/inch gram/centimeter c-value 0.0050 0.0200

The flare composition should me one of excellent brightness, which often means the depth of the color will be compromised. Compositions poor in fuel should be preferred. Compositions bound with parlon usually work well, especially when poured in the flare container. Drying times might be considerable though. Strobes can be used instead of a flare composition, especially on smaller diameters. The above design can easily be adapted for use on a rocket or as shell insert. Make sure to work very neat, or your shell will most likely fail. Parachute shells should be lifted to a substantial height to assure the parachute will never hit anything while burning. Never fire a parachute shell in an area where there is even the slightest risk of fire, such as areas with trees or bushes around.