External Fuel tank hazard modelled?

[Yskonyn]

Here's an excerpt from the manual:

p44. "As with the fuselage tanks, the tanks are self-sealing and filled with a flexible foam to prevent a fuel tank explosion. Note that the external tanks do not have such precautions and are never flown with in combat."

 

Is this modelled in game? e.g. When flying in a combat area with external tanks and taking hits to those tanks, will you risk a fuel tank explosion?

[kylania]

"never flown with in combat"

 

Why model something that won't happen? :)

[Yskonyn]

Well it's not supposed to happen. That's something different.

There's nothing preventing me from flying with external tanks to a hot zone. I won't bump into an invisible wall in the sky or insta-stall. ;)

 

So the question remains valid, doesn't it? ;)

[kylania]

I like the idea of invisible walls if you're running with tanks being modeled far more than a huge air gas explosion if you are! Or both. :)

[Gearbox]

I don't get this bit. The F-16 tanks aren't particularly survivable either, but we'd bring them along in Falcon all the time and punch them off when an enemy got to engagement range.

[mvsgas]

I don't get this bit. The F-16 tanks aren't particularly survivable either, but we'd bring them along in Falcon all the time and punch them off when an enemy got to engagement range.

 

Well, is not the fuel you have to worry the most is the fumes. Anyway. F-16 has a different fire suppression idea. We use Halon, which will suppress fire even on the external tanks.

 

http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/1981/PV1981_1638.pdf

[Weaponz248]

Why model something that won't happen? :)

 

 

Why would you fly it in combat anyway? you lose all your belly stations with it loaded and the extra weight would probably mean less muns. Alos IRC this was made as a trainer for the guard correct? So thats why its modeled

[Crosser]

Like what Gearbox said about dropping the external tanks when entering combat. Most external tanks are built to be retreivable and also refered to as "Drop Tanks". It was more-so on the prop fighters so they could go the distance on externals, drop, fight, then RTB(or other location). But having those tanks on creates extra drag which would be the last thing you want if you get engaged and need to avoid something/someone on your tail.

 

With the A10(any) it's already flying tank as is, anything to reduce that drag and allow less resistance and be abit more agile helps.

 

Besides, the last thing I would want to do is bring those fuel tanks into a combat situation incase a highpowered round does strike the tank and create an explosion of any sort. Any less hazard is a pilots best hope.

[Cali]

I don't get this bit. The F-16 tanks aren't particularly survivable either, but we'd bring them along in Falcon all the time and punch them off when an enemy got to engagement range.

 

Well, is not the fuel you have to worry the most is the fumes. Anyway. F-16 has a different fire suppression idea. We use Halon, which will suppress fire even on the external tanks.

 

http://pdf.aiaa.org/preview/1981/PV1981_1638.pdf

 

Also, by the time a 16 gets into battle the ext tanks should be empty anyway. External tank transfer first on the F-16, unlike the F15, but that's a different story.

[Cali]

Like what Gearbox said about dropping the external tanks when entering combat. Most external tanks are built to be retreivable and also refered to as "Drop Tanks". It was more-so on the prop fighters so they could go the distance on externals, drop, fight, then RTB(or other location). But having those tanks on creates extra drag which would be the last thing you want if you get engaged and need to avoid something/someone on your tail.

 

With the A10(any) it's already flying tank as is, anything to reduce that drag and allow less resistance and be abit more agile helps.

 

Besides, the last thing I would want to do is bring those fuel tanks into a combat situation incase a highpowered round does strike the tank and create an explosion of any sort. Any less hazard is a pilots best hope.

 

Retrievable....in what sense?...maybe back in the day that's what they had in mind. Every ext tank I have seen that was "dropped" off a jet was not usable again. I'll see if I can get some pics of one, I think we have one sitting in our tank yard.

[Yskonyn]

Guys we're missing the point here ;) : The question was wether it was modelled or not.

 

I understand the sillyness of doing something you're not supposed to do, but if everyone in the world only did what they are supposed to do they were no accidents at all, ever.

 

I am curious, seperate from the whole discussion about wether it would be wise to do so, if the sim actually models the difference in fuel tanks.

[sobek]

Guys we're missing the point here ;) : The question was wether it was modelled or not.

 

I understand the sillyness of doing something you're not supposed to do, but if everyone in the world only did what they are supposed to do they were no accidents at all, ever.

 

I am curious, seperate from the whole discussion about wether it would be wise to do so, if the sim actually models the difference in fuel tanks.

 

Why don't you try it out? Don't hold your breath if you are hoping to get an answer from a dev, i think they spend their time elswhere atm. ;)

[Yskonyn]

How would you try it out? There is no way to see if a hit to your plane was registered on a fuel tank. For all we know its not even modelled and you fly until the end of time with those tanks without anything happening.

You would keep on wondering wether it was being hit or not and a) its not modelled so the explosion stays out or b) it was not hit at all.

 

Its not something that's easy 'to try out'. ;)

[sobek]

Its not something that's easy 'to try out'. ;)

 

Set up an AI flight of A-10s and put some 30mm peas in those tanks. Should be doable.

[Cali]

Are these reusable?

 

F-16 centerline 300gal tank

 

Another view

 

 

Center section of a 370gal tank

 

Tail section of a 370gal tank F-16

[Avilator]

Are these reusable?

Of course they are. As scrap, of course.

[Cali]

LMAO, anything and everything is reusable then.