Author Topic: Smoke colors (Read 532 times)

715 · « **on:** June 02, 2002, 07:29:57 PM »

Could someone refresh my memory on what the different colors of smoke mean? In the CT I hit a 109 and he trailed black smoke. I assumed that meant he was on fire (black being the soot from the combustion of fuel or oil), so I left him be. He proceeded to turn for home, attack several other people, extend, stop at the Kwikie Mart for a gallon of milk, and fly home safely. Obviously black smoke doesn't necessairly mean the plane is on fire? Does it just mean an oil leak?

Urchin · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2002, 10:00:21 PM »

Black= oil leak.
White= Fuel leak
Light Grey= Radiator leak

Black+White+Light Grey+Flames= On fire.

john9001 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2002, 11:53:32 PM »

it seems like all leaks do not leak at the same rate, some oil/coolent leaks will damage your engine quickly other times the leak seems to be small and you can fly for long time, you have to watch your guages to see if oil pressure or engine temp is changing and how fast, also if you shut down the engine the leak will stop until engine is restarted.

i think fuel leaks only affect the tank that was hit so you will still have fuel in undamaged tanks

715 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2002, 11:17:32 AM »

Thanks for the info!

So black is an oil leak. OK. I calculated the amount of oil that would have had to have been leaked to produce the plume I saw on the 109 (taking into account the likely droplet diameter, the diameter of the plume, the opacity, and the length of time the plume was trailed). I got over 5000 gallons or 32,000 lbs. I'm impressed the 109 could carry that much weight

I know... "go away you annoying little man"

hitech · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2002, 11:24:10 AM »

What density altitude were you using in your calcs. 715

Tac · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2002, 11:37:22 AM »

what REALLY bother me HT, is that my oil leaks dont splatter black smears on the guy on my 6. I mean, dammit!

ccvi · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2002, 12:42:13 PM »

i don't like that leaks still leak even when there's no more oil or fuel left.

Turbot · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2002, 01:05:50 PM »

I wish we had a repair pad/hangar like the rearm pad.

BenDover · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2002, 02:40:37 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by 715
Thanks for the info!

So black is an oil leak. OK. I calculated the amount of oil that would have had to have been leaked to produce the plume I saw on the 109 (taking into account the likely droplet diameter, the diameter of the plume, the opacity, and the length of time the plume was trailed). I got over 5000 gallons or 32,000 lbs. I'm impressed the 109 could carry that much weight

I know... "go away you annoying little man"

you have to too much time on your hands

Kevin14 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2002, 02:58:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ccvi
i don't like that leaks still leak even when there's no more oil or fuel left.

Quote

Originally posted by Turbot
I wish we had a repair pad/hanger like the rearm pad.

I wish both these changes could be made, hopefully they can

zipity · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2002, 03:56:23 PM »

Tac...sssshhhhhh, I read one of the biggest problems fighter pilots faced in dogfights was oil leaking/spraying into the cockpit...which was one of the reasons for wearing goggles. You don't want to give HT any ideas here.

I mean flying wounded is bad enough with blackouts every few seconds, imagine if you simple couldn't see for the rest of the ride.

popeye · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2002, 11:08:09 AM »

I'm not gonna wear goggles. My wife already thinks the leather helmet is wierd enough.

ccvi · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2002, 03:56:56 PM »

It's already there!

http://www.halos.de/995th/ccvi/oil.jpg

PS: I can't remember when this happend, but just found this screen shot when cleaning up my hard disc