Tom Hand flew the Hercules on a set of D12's. The plans also describe how to use an ingenious method for igniting the second stage. The system uses a micro switch-actuated, battery powered ignition circuit triggered by burnout and ejection of one of the booster engines. Unfortunately, a faulty Estes D12 in that particular location created all the havoc revealed in the photo taken of my Hercules. In the photo, you can see three engines ignited in the booster, the cable still between the booster and the missile, the engine already ignited in the missile, and the faulty, ejected D12 burning and exploding in all directions. Due to its stability, the missile and the three engine booster continued in their original direction; straight up. Looking closely at the second photo, you can see both components flying together. Recovery was essentially without incident (I want to give credit for these photos to a close friend of mine, Mark Breeding. Mark's work has been featured in automotive magazines but this photo sequence was Mark's first attempt at photographing flying model rockets!) (Photos from Nike Hercules Photo Contest)
