Buuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrnnnning planes

[FiLtH]

Why do some planes burn forever and others burn quick?  A6m and hurric come to mind.

[Kermit de frog]

Why don't bumble bees do regular bees?

Aren't they all bees?

[Treize69]

Because HTC says so? (falls into the "because its in the script" category)

But yes, I've noticed I can set a buff on fire on one pass and its usually kersploded by the time I make my next run, but Zekes and Hurricanes (and a few others) keep right on fighting for several minutes with a tail of flame shooting several hundred feet out.

It's a riddle wrapped up inside a conundrum.

[Naytch]

My theory (however worthless it is):

Zekes have fuel tanks on their tail portion right? So maybe that's why they burn forever since it takes a while for the fuel to run out and explode. Like maybe once it's ignited, it has to burn all the way to the inner tank before it blows (?)

Then the buffs, on the other hand, are ignited through the engines, and that's why they can explode quickly because the buff engines, once burned are exposed and the oil sparks and explodes (?)

[nirvana]

Not really the explosion that would cause damage, if there was an explosion.  Would more likely be the melting and deforming of the structure.

[PK1Mw]

Seems to be most jap planes, as well as hurri and mossie. Don't know why, but would like to.

[Schatzi]

Sometimes they burn longer, Sometimes they blow quick. Sometimes the explosion just rips off a wing, sometimes itll blow you back to tower.


I d guess theres 'different' types of fire modelled, depending on plane and depending on where and with what youve been hit.


But only HT knows for sure.


Advice: Only trust a Zeke or Hurri to be dead when hes blown up entirely for sure.

[Wasp]

arnt hurri and mossie frames made from woodand canvas anyways so would burn ??? maybe HTC took this in to account??

[Naytch]

Originally posted by Wasp
arnt hurri and mossie frames made from woodand canvas anyways so would burn ??? maybe HTC took this in to account??

Dude, that was a smart theory there. Maybe a spark from the bullets simply ignited the airframe and didn't even touch the engine or fuel tanks. That would definitely explain it...

Dude, GENIOUS

[Tilt]

maybe

Some dont have the fuel tank wrapped round the pilots legs.....(spitfire fire = death)

Some dont have self sealing tanks or inert gas fire suppression.

I do not think wood or canvas has anything to do with it unless the fire is on the ground..............flying would simply extinguish such fires IMO.

Fuel fires can obviously however attrit  wood, canvas and (eventually)aluminium leading to structural failure...............or burn back to the tank causing explosion (if there is no inert gas system).

[Voldemort]

Originally posted by Tilt
maybe

Some dont have the fuel tank wrapped round the pilots legs.....(spitfire fire = death)

Some dont have self sealing tanks or inert gas fire suppression.

I do not think wood or canvas has anything to do with it unless the fire is on the ground..............flying would simply extinguish such fires IMO.

Fuel fires can obviously however attrit  wood, canvas and (eventually)aluminium leading to structural failure...............or burn back to the tank causing explosion (if there is no inert gas system).

You'd be very surprised at the amount of damage fire will do to aluminum.  I'm not sure how long you consider 'eventually' but it's not a long time at all.  Fire suppresion tules would be neat, but if my airplane catches on fire and I just happen to be wearing a chute...see ya!

[*NDM*JohnnyX]

Speed also probably plays a part, like a buff going 200 won't keep the flames from spreading like a hurr or moss doing 350 will.

[Simaril]

Originally posted by Wasp
arnt hurri and mossie frames made from woodand canvas anyways so would burn ??? maybe HTC took this in to account??

Dont think that explains it. Remember we're not talking about some irrelevant combustables -- these are the key structural componenets of the aircraft. Burning stuff doesn't just make a pretty light; it CONSUMES the material as it burns, so burning wood gets weaker every second. Add the stresses of flight, and wings should be falling off before the terminal explosion has a chance to happen.

Canvas on planes was treated with laquer based stiffeners to both strengthen and to minimize air flowing through the canvas pores (which would reduce aerodynamics). Laquer based = petroleum distillates = pyromaniac delight.


The best answer for the long burn times is simple -- "because that's how they programmed it." These planes should burn easier; for justification of why they burn longer, we'd have to ask HTC. To be honest, I cant think of why they would.



EDIT:  BUT I am not AT ALL a aeronautical engineer type. There are MANY far better brains than mine for these questions, I'm just confessing ignorance, not throwing down a challenge.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by Wasp
arnt hurri and mossie frames made from woodand canvas anyways so would burn ??? maybe HTC took this in to account??

You're kidding me right?

Karaya

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by *NDM*JohnnyX
Speed also probably plays a part, like a buff going 200 won't keep the flames from spreading like a hurr or moss doing 350 will.

Please.  Step away from the crack pipe.

Karaya