I don't advertise this much, but I had one rocket look like Elmer Fudd's proverbial shotgun after Buggs stuck his finger in the end due to a charge that was a "tad" oversized.

I blew up the top of my VA's booster section (and drogue) at Oktoberfest with an ambituous charge--which Ray LaPanze and his camera caught in great detail. Chute happens! 😯 🙂

Bruce, Upon looking at video of your flight to me it wasn't a large charge but it looked like something happened while under boost still. Maybe something came apart or separated early. I will watch the video again. Also important is where you place the charge and the direction its energy is releasing towards. never point outward towards an airframe. Never have it up against the airframe and keep it close to the center pointing so that the energy will go in the direction of the event if possible. It can make a difference of damage or not. Also phenolic or cardboard will never be as durable as a FG tube or CF tube. So be cautious there. A glassed tube is still more superior but still not as much as a full composite tube.

You probably know all of that but just a reminder.

All good points. It was phenolic and old and brittle at that. Even filament wound FG would have handled it. Ironically, it was an engine charge that blew it up. 🙄 Put a very long coupler tube inside, and she's good to go a couple of more shots. Fiberglass from now on! 🙂