RPG for water rockets

Japan's Marudai has brought forth upon this world a new form of water gun: a water rocket-propelled grenade launcher, which fires water ~~balloons~~ bottle rockets a great distance. As the machine-translated text says, "This toy is a toy and enjoy the recoil when firing injection. Please observe the rules and manners play within the terms stipulated." Can't argue with that.

(Thanks, Fipi Lele!)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

MORE: Gadgets • gift guide • guns • happy mutants • Japan

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rocketpjs

Not suitable for travel.

Very cool toy, though I can think of all sorts of panics and police overreactions if you weren’t careful with it.

I wonder if it would be possible to make a paintball version of it.
- ChicagoD
  
  Sure. Just put orange paint on the muzzle. Problem solved!
- JustinKalb
  
  they have them….
  ► 2:39► 2:39 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH1RTGl2uQw
- SomeGuyNamedMark
  
  Yah, I can’t see any potential problem with this in our panic based society. No sir-ree.
jaypee

I think it’s actually launching soda bottles.
- Quiche de Resistance
  
  Yeah, says on the website “Pet Bottle Launcher”, and I think that Pet means Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and not a little animal that lives with you.
  - ChicagoD
    
    Oh no. I need a replacement pet now . . .
    - Quiche de Resistance
      
      RPG for kittens.
      - digi_owl
        
        Squirrel huntin ;)
      - Just_Ok
        
        LOLIncoming?
        I kan haz covering fire?
  - Daemonworks
    
    This is correct – it’s for the plastic drink bottles. Not sure if there’s a specific size required/suggested as I only skim-read the page.
    - digi_owl
      
      From the image i would say your typical 1.5l bottle.
      
      Btw, i love their manga ad image down the page. Girls in bikinies running around on the beach with RPGs, woho :D
Ivey Chanter

I don’t think its balloons. Looks like a new take one of my favorite childhood toy the water rocket. Destined to land on the neighbors roof.
show me

There should be no recoil from the device if designed properly, just like all true “rockets” as opposed to “guns.”
- http://codeflow.org/ Florian Bösch
  
  Having built several of these in a more DIY fashion, I can attest that there is no significant recoil. However, having stood in the backwash of the rocket exhaust, you’re properly wet afterwards, a toy best enjoyed on very hot days.
  - vonbobo
    
    I’ve taken those small water rocket exhausts to the face and eyes before… that is NOT a nice feeling. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw this guy staring straight down the barrel.
    - http://codeflow.org/ Florian Bösch
      
      Ah see the professional water rocket warrior shoots from the hip or closes his eyes, that way enjoyment is increased considerably :)
robdobbs

I can’t wait until someone uses one of these at an Occupy protest.
Editz

Aqua Akbar!
- digi_owl
  
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral_Ackbar ;)
  - Editz
    
    Not a SW reference:
    
    http://wikiislam.net/wiki/Allahu_Akbar
    - digi_owl
      
      I know the rally cry. Thing is that Ackbar is an amphibian.
    - Donald Petersen
      
      …it’s not a trap?
Vengefultacos

So… not a role playing game for water balloons? Or about water balloons? I was looking forward to seeing how they roll D20′s.

Of course, the problem with a water balloon RPG would be that they have one freakin’ hit point at most, then *splash*.
silkox

How about a sabot-type thingy cradling the water balloon? The sabot falls away after launch.
gadgetphile

I assume you can just horizontally mount one of these in a barrel or something. The zip-tie head retaining mechanism can probably be be changed or just have the sleeve connected to the trigger.

Erm, this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JORYSU
http://nelc.livejournal.com/ NelC

Isn’t this more a WPG than an RPG?
gandalf23

I like the warnings:

“When they hit the person, you may be asked to crime even if it is not intentional.

When flying towards the car and bicycle, may lead to a traffic accident when the driver surprised even without exposure.

If you defeat the third-party assets of housing, automotive, and power lines can cause liability.”

I’ve got no idea what the third one means. Anyone?

Also, who is importing this to the US? Any online stores carry this? I think I need one. Or maybe two. :)
- timquinn
  
  If you break a window you pay for it
Preston Sturges

I needs a little whistle in the nose to simulate the sound of a passing rpg and traumatize any PTSD vets in the area.
donovan acree

That’s a $362.80 toy. You can buy a real rocket launcher tube off ebay for less than that.
fuzzyfuzzyfungus

Beat the HEAT(yeah, yeah, I know; but ‘beat the HESH’ just doesn’t make any sense) with the aqua-RPG!
http://www.karljones.com karl_jones

Parts inventory image:

http://www.marudai-corp.com/pbl/image/pbl-001-046.jpg

Let’s take it one step further [read: one or more steps further than we really should go].

I propose a two-stage version — vertical-gantry mounted, not shoulder-launched — with PET bottle as the first stage, and Estes rocket(s) as the second.

Two favorite childhood hazards in one zany package!