Re: [MV] Flame thrower mechanics theory and practices...

From: Edwin M. Dyer, III (sturmtiger1944@yahoo.com)
Date: Tue May 22 2001 - 22:36:29 PDT


--- Geof Kaye <KAYE-RIVERCITY@webtv.net> wrote:

> How does a flame thrower work? Other than squirting
> a flammable
> liquid-what keeps the liquid from ignition while in
> the tanks? How is
> the system pressurized? Anyone know of any sites on
> the web?

Speaking on WW2 flamethrowers, the German Flammnwerfer
41 and the Japanese Type 100, used nitrogen under
pressure ( and in the case of the Type 100, compressed
air ) as a means to propel the fuel out the flame gun.
Ignition of the fuel took place in the flame gun,
generally by a cartridge method. Other methods were
used, such as flame ignition ( which had a flame lit
at the muzzle which would fire the fuel upon using the
flamethrower ) and electrical ignition, the later used
on the US M1A1 ( this often failed, leaving the
soldier to light the fuel jet with a match or burning
paper ).

As a rule, the force of the fuel leaving the flame
projector was enough to prevent the flame travelling
up the weapon to explode the tanks. Still, the
flamethrowing teams were very vulnerable and become
instant targets when spotted by the enemy. The
Russians sought to solve this to a degree by making
the flame projector of their ROKS-2 apparatus look
like a service rifle.

I know with German flamethrowing tanks, the rule was
to douse the target in unlit fuel then fire a short
burst of ignited fuel to touch off the fuel already
sprayed.

One of the more nasty tricks with flamethrowers is the
ability to "bounce" the flame off walls and be able to
hit targets around corners.

Regards,

Ed

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