Actually in the later add-ons for SoW (I know we aren't even looking at the release version yet) but it would be impressive if details like the above can be added.

I was talking with P-51 Fighter Ace Barrie Davis, and he recalled a take-off that went badly, resulting in his Starboard Wing Tank hitting the ground and coming off the wing. He watched as fuel sprayed everywhere and he had to make an emergency landing. So seeing parts separate from aircraft and sparks as they do would be impressive.

Similarly another 318th Pilot, Harold Kick, remembered colliding with a bulldozer after heading off the runway on take-off (he was a young pilot then) and the aircraft flipped over. He was lucky that the straps held him in, as he nearly broke his neck, but that was the least of his worries as the fuel in the fuselage poured into the cockpit area and Ground Crews just managed to get him out before he drowned in the fuel.

So maybe details like fuel leaks with runway crashes and fires could make an appearance?

Cheers, MP

I've never seen sparks from Aluminium personally.

Right, because airplanes are only made of 100% aluminium. :rolleyes:


Stupid Russians, you should tell them to use Al instead of steel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrO6MNvvSHE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLmpIOmXL0s
stupid Americanos too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ak3gBImhLI

Whats those noobtube vids got to do with ww2 aircraft ?

Re: SoW
I grant you, there would be sparks from steel components like undercarriage and some props.

But belly landings would be spark free regarding Aluminium structure.

How long do you think the thin sheet alloy is gonna last on the concrete runway?
What if it's grinded off (through?) and exposes other materials of the structure?
What about the mentioned case of a crash landing with parts being torn off?
If I remember correctly, Oleg once mentioned we can also expect flat tires in SOW again-> sparks
(I also doubt you can't find any steel parts on on the belly of a warbird)


Anyway: Sparks, we need them!

lots. :cool:


Whats those noobtube vids got to do with ww2 aircraft ?
-> so the evolution of designing airplanes made them use heavy steel instead of AI?

We would have steel Nuts and bolts, etc so I would expect some sparks, but please no sparks on grass airfields!

Most of the structure is Aluminium with very little steel if any, the He111 has a steel wing spar but would take some serious grinding to get anywhere near it.
Typically using steel nuts and bolts is no good as it reacts with the alloy, and adds to the weight of the aircraft dramatically.

Please no sparks and Hollywood style fires and effects, the IL2 series has already suffered exploding planes and Hollywood effects, most belly landings were uneventful affairs.

Besides SoW will be mostly grass airfields and any pilot going for a belly landing will take the grass over the concrete probably.

Wing of P51 replica.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...1/DSCF1002.jpg

I guess its a matter of individual aircraft, weights and velocities and viewing angle. Although larger aircraft seam to spark quite freely, finding a good video of a light aircraft sparking is quite hard.

This light plane has quiet a healthy spark at around 16sec of the clip, seen from another angle this may have gone un-noticed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVwih5xFGHg

(sorry -disable in embeded- need to open it in a new window or tab!)

Something like a Spitfire or a mustang would be twice as heavy as this light plane and the Mustang has large magnesium alloy casting for attachment of the undercarrage.

Unfortunately owners of old war birds tend to be quite gentle with them when their doing forced landings and perfer to land on the grass at the side of the strip (very considerate!) so like I said theres not many videos around of them landing on concrete.

No matter what, like Alpha said I would not like hollywood style fires and effects. Keep it realistic!

I'm of the opinion that any sparks from a burning fuselage at speed would be either internal, where there is less wind :D or blown out before becoming visible. I think sparks would ruin the burning effect.

Put sparks where they belong in SoW

Prop strike (steel props) as in the vid above @16 secs, and landing gear assembly.

On concrete of course.