TONY WEBSTER'S 2001 DISPLAY

The arsenal was amassed over a long timescale (Mode B storage) and on the day I had to carry every box and every firework up flights of approximately thirty steps and some distance from where they were stored. Then there was all the work involved in nailing all the wheels in to their position (double ladder required) and the stakes driven into the ground. I was shattered by this time, but knew that the night's entertainment was going to be worth it.

Neighbours rang to check it was all on schedule and one family had even invited friends round to watch from their upstairs balcony (so much is my reputation!). Another couple would sit on their patio drinking. But, no worries for my part (to this audience that I had to impress) as some of my awaiting "stash" was going to be impressive. Little did I know "HOW IMPRESSIVE"!

Over the years (before the Cat4 ban) I have had displays with loads of impressive shells, but this latest one was probably the most impressive ever and some of the fireworks really excelled themselves. At least a couple of dozen "I just couldn't believe". My father (a real Pyro Sceptic) even commented after the display, "Mmm not bad" and the Kimbolton Crown of Rubies as his favourite of the night…"Favourite"? Mmm things are getting serious if he has a favourite!

We started with some of the small stuff and progressed through to the large ones. Stopping occasionally to retaliate with a decent one when competition started. It was quite funny, after each firework, distant applause was heard. I am certain that six of the ones fired were amongst some of the best Cat3 devices on the market, full reviews will appear on the UKFR site in the coming months.

- Click on a thumbnail to enlarge the picture -

Blockbuster, orange star (Vulcan). Much better than expected and very nice colour
Zink 2oz Yellow rocket. Superb colour, but short lived. Dying to try the "Glow worm" effect
Waterloo (Black Cat). Excellent effects from their cheapest SIB. One word describes the climax: "ORGASMIC"
Multicolour Crackling Chrysanth (Sandling Jumbo cakes pack) 30mm bore. Superb. Last 5 shots fired altogether
Kruger Park (160 shot) by Maverick. One minute of non-stop action. It just doesn't pause for breath!
Mega Mine Cake (Sunsong. Superb. One of the best Cat 3 fireworks on the market. Stunning.
Mega Mine Cake (Sunsong). Mines, together with large shellbursts. Timed perfectly
Trafalgar SIB (Black Cat). Ends as does Waterloo. Orgasmic. Fan of 5 shots. [Nelson could have used a few of these, heheh - Pete]
Blue Brocade to Thunder Rain (Sandling jumbo cakes pack) 30mm bore. Firework name nothing like the effects, but stunning anyway
Shellscape F2 Fan Cake WOW! Heavy. Large. Stunning. Yes, yes, yes.
F2 Fan Cake. Video grabs don’t do it justice. You had to be there.
Shellscape 100mm Double break mine, Multicolour to Crackling. The launch…daylight…then…
Shellscape 100mm Double break mine, Multicolour to crackling (2nd effect) I think a "Chinese Special" nothing like what it says on the tin!
Shellscape 100mm Double break mine, Multicolour to Thunder. Launch plus one…
Shellscape 100mm Double break mine, Multicolour to Thunder. Enormous but silent, burst of Multicolour stars. Eerie
Shellscape Mt Apo Silver Fountain. Much bigger than your average fountain
Pandoras Box (Sandling). Amongst other effects, golden palm breaks. Two mins of action, recommended
Pandoras Box again. Superb cake. One of the best
Big Birtha (Sandling) 61 x 30mm. Mmm. Interesting. Loads of different effects
Crazy Horses (FI). No hesitation in recommending this stunning cake
Crown Of Rubies (Kimbolton). Even Pyro sceptics thought this was one of the best on the night
East Meets West Fan Cake (Sandling). Err! Very Very Very wide spread. Starts with a WHOOSH! Half scares you. Only seven shots visible; you need a very wide angle lens for this one
Waterfall (Shellscape). 2m Low Smoke. Not a bad addition to low budget displays
Medium Sparkling Wheel (Shellscape). Best "normal" wheel available. Over a minute duration. I will buy some more
Rod Wheel (Shellscape). Cheap, but very good. Long exposure shot
Skyline Spectacular (Black Cat). Only 7 of these shellbursts. Lots of fish though
Waterloo (Black Cat). Nice packaging and graphics, but it’s the "action" that is stunning
Blue Broc to Thun Rain & Colour chrysanth (Sandling Jumbo cakes pack). Hope the other 2 in the pack are as good as these two
Kruger Park (160 shot Maverick). Not very tall, but who cares when it performs as well as it did
Golden Bullets (Diamond/Sandling). Arnie has been here. Bullets everywhere
Trafalgar SIB (Black Cat). Those fan tubes…just enough for stunning action
F2 Fan cake (Shellscape, modelled by Tony). Big, big, big and 50metres either side fallout zone
Shellscape 2 x 100mm double break mines. Got to buy some more of these
Crazy Horse (Fireworks International) Yep! Two. One has Pyro Pete's name on it [don't worry I haven't forgotten! - Pete]
Crown Of Rubies (Kimbolton) One of the best on the night
East Meets West Fan Cake (Sandling). Mmm. 8 shots wide. Scares the hell out of you from the 1st shot
Giant & Medium Sparkling Wheel (Sandling/Shellscape). Medium one was the better of the two
Waterfall 2m Low Smoke (Shellscape). Anyone read Chinese? [Yep, it translates to "Waterfall 2m Low Smoke" - Pete, heheh]
Jumbo cakes pack and 3 Mega mine cakes (Sandling). Jumbo cakes pack on top of 3 Mega mine cakes with a LARGE BUCKET for scale
Mega Mine cakes (Sunsong/Sandling) Wanted…"serious looking criminal" with 3 serious pieces of kit

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