Flamethrowers had several big disadvantages. The biggest one was probably that they drew tremendous amounts of attention to the man operating them and he was unlikely to survive long.
Flame throwers were used in both Korea and VietnamAs it says above
What modifications can be done to the ww2 models to increase their life
Also how can fire tanks survive to present time?
SadI remember reading that the Marine Corps estimate for the combat life expectancy of a flamethrower operator during the Pacific Campaign was somewhere around four minutes.
I remember reading that the Marine Corps estimate for the combat life expectancy of a flamethrower operator during the Pacific Campaign was somewhere around four minutes.
Being pressurized with gas such as nitrogen, the contents are unlikely to burn when a thrower is shot. In fact, one of the main problems of flamethrower design was lighting the fuel, as thickened oil and the napalm use later is surprisingly difficult to ignite. However accidents did occur, such as at Fort Douaumont during the Battle of Verdun, where nearly 700 German soldiers perished when flamethrower fuel was ignited by a cooking fire in an ammunition gallery.
The risk of a flamethrower operator being caught in the explosion of their weapon due to enemy hits on the tanks is exaggerated in films.[2] However, there are cases where the pressure tanks have exploded and killed the operator when hit by bullets or grenade shrapnel. In the documentary Vietnam in HD, platoon sergeant Charles Brown tells of how one of his men was killed when his flamethrower was hit by grenade shrapnel during the battle for Hill 875.
“ Flame thrower operators did not usually face a fiery death from the slightest spark or even from having their tank hit by a normal bullet as often depicted in modern war films. The Gas Container [i.e. the pressurizer] is filled with a non-flammable gas that is under high pressure. If this tank were ruptured, it might knock the operator forward as it was expended in the same way a pressurized aerosol can bursts outward when punctured. The fuel mixture in the Fuel Containers is difficult to light, which is why magnesium filled igniters are required when the weapon is fired. Fire a bullet into a metal can filled with diesel or napalm and it will merely leak out the hole unless the round was an incendiary type that could possibly ignite the mixture inside. This also applies to the flame thrower Fuel Container.[3]
Sad
How about fitting longer reaching flamethrowers to tanks ? Maybe firing bigger incendiary rounds like a landbased napalm firing platform
Sad
How about fitting longer reaching flamethrowers to tanks ? Maybe firing bigger incendiary rounds like a landbased napalm firing platform
They can't. Their range is too short, their fuel supply too heavy and their signature too great.As it says above
What modifications can be done to the ww2 models to increase their life
If you changed the world so those on the receiving end utterly lack anti-armour weapons.Also how can fire tanks survive to present time?
The main problem is range.They can't. Their range is too short, their fuel supply too heavy and their signature too great.
If you changed the world so those on the receiving end utterly lack anti-armour weapons.
Which is the reason for flame projectile weapons like the Flash and DM-34; liquid projectors are bulky and difficult to get into effective range of armoured vehicles except in FIBUA scenarios.The main problem is range.
While modern Armored Vehicles have ABC protection fof the crew, that does not extend to the engine compartment.they still need air to run.
Another point is the sooty residue on the various sensors, and while it does take a lot to get the rubber on the tracks and roadwheels to ignite, that is a worry
They are more than viable in urban combat however the emphasis on minimizing damage to civilian population and properties put a damper on flamethrowers. The primary problem of it was not the danger of the tank exploding which rarely ever happened but rather finding men who are willing to burn other men alive. Modern states have a huge problem of teaching their kids that all life is sacred and every death a tragedy that scars for life and then expecting their kids to go into war zone eager to kill. Unlike a rifle which can trough training be made into almost a reflexive move at the sight of an enemy flamethrower is a much slower instrument that is used close up and produces traumatizing images for the user
1. SLA Marshall's work on the alleged difficulties on soldiers shooting enemies has been severely critized.
2. Why would a pacifist mindset be problematic when the Westphalian concept of nation states that emphasized monopoly of violence is flawed?
My friend who is trapper came to his kids school to explain what "daddy did at work "They are more than viable in urban combat however the emphasis on minimizing damage to civilian population and properties put a damper on flamethrowers. The primary problem of it was not the danger of the tank exploding which rarely ever happened but rather finding men who are willing to burn other men alive. Modern states have a huge problem of teaching their kids that all life is sacred and every death a tragedy that scars for life and then expecting their kids to go into war zone eager to kill. Unlike a rifle which can trough training be made into almost a reflexive move at the sight of an enemy flamethrower is a much slower instrument that is used close up and produces traumatizing images for the user
I read a book some time ago that made the argument that the high rates of PTSD that occur in the modern US military is due to a culture that glorifies violence and war but makes the concept of death something to shield and protect from children. Thus creating a military that is very quick to use force but also not be able to process the results of said force or process the sudden death of someone. Not sure how sound that argument is but it sure was an interesting book.My friend who is trapper came to his kids school to explain what "daddy did at work "
He spent 10 min explaining why skunks, coons and coyotes are pests and how he eliminates them without wasting any bullets. Every kid was crying and teachers forced him to stop , he was embarrassed and felt so guilty ! In reality he does great service for the community
Since Marines in the Pacific were more than willing to keep Japanese Skulls as keepsakes, there wasn't a shortage of guys who wanted to use any and all means possible to kill more of themThe primary problem of it was not the danger of the tank exploding which rarely ever happened but rather finding men who are willing to burn other men alive.