While not in the realm of rocketry we played with what could be described as explosive projectiles.

We would take an approximately 6" x 5/8" bolt to the end of which a nut was screwed on by a thread or two. Into the depression of the nut we would place a mixture of the cut off tips of wooden matches and gunpowder which was obtained by removing the slugs from 22 caliber bullets. We then screwed another bolt on to the nut and gingerly tightened the two as much as we dared.

This bolt-nut-bolt device was then tossed into the air in a rotating motion while we took cover behind a sturdy brick wall. When the device hit the ground it went off like a pipe bomb and if we were able to find the pieces they were not in any condition to be reused.

Luckily we survived this episode of rocket science experimentation without any serious injury.