Burn Baby Burn

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's a motherload of great pics:

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&q=burned%20out%20vehicles&rlz=1R2GGLL_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1419&bih=705

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's one picture that is worth studying real close . . .wow:

[Romell R]

How crispy do you want to see?

Wow A toasted Ferrari Modena!! I wanna cry. The rims are a dead give away.

Edited July 22, 2010 by Aftashox

[highway]

I think the deal with the Ford pickups was a cruise control sensor or something. There was a recall for it. I own a '97 and had the recall service performed so I'm good. 149k and still going.

Now that you mentioned it, I think I did hear about that as well.

[highway]

yup, got that letter from Ford for my '96 Bronco. never did take it in to the dealer for the fix though.

Dave

I guess that's one good thing with my big dually, it's even lucky to have a tape deck, remember those?!?

[Eric Stone]

I think the deal with the Ford pickups was a cruise control sensor or something. There was a recall for it.

Yup, that's what I was referring to... And calm down, guys I never said they all catch on fire...

[Aaronw]

I've got some photos and suggestions I can post later, but the first thing that strikes me with a model car is the hood. To really make it look realistic I have a feeling you would need to fabricate it in thin metal, plastic hoods are too thick.

Your comment about the firefighter tenting the hood is a good one, it is a common technique used to access the engine compartment, the spike on a halligan tool is used to punch a hole in the hood, then a corner is pried up enough to get the forked end under the hood, then a larger opening is forced. For fires in the trunk, the taillights are a popular spot, bash out the light and shove a nozzle in there.

Some departments also have piercing nozzles, a 3-4 foot long spear looking nozzle, it is jammed through the sheet metal and has small holes near the tip allowing water to spray out aftr it is inside the car (also works for fires in basements by jamming it through a floor).

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks for keeping the conversation about suggestions and references going, folks. I really appreciate it!

[Chuck Most]

Cranky, you'd be pretty accurate to build a burnt up 80s to current F150... I see or hear about those catching fire a lot.

Mostly that's the fault of inattentive and/or idiotic mechanics and owners not changing out dry-rotted fuel lines under the hood. Ford calls for the lines to be inspected and replaced at certain intervals, but of course, no one ever does it. It's kind of like a timing belt- you're SUPPOSED to replace it every so often, but the only time one ever gets replaced is when it fails.

Now, back to the matter at hand...

I've been wanting to do a 'burned' model for a very long time (like, since I was six or seven), but there really don't seem to be many modelers building burned models, so there isn't as much information on making a model look burned as there is for making one look rusty and weathered. This thread has really helped, and given me some ideas, and even given me some info I'd have never considered on my own, such as the damage resulting from a firefighter 'tenting' the hood.

Fun stuff, this!

[Danno]

Just a bit of info re: Ford truck fires.

Ford had a significant design/manufacturing problem for a number of years with the design of its F-series and E-series pickups and SUVs (Expedition, Excursion, Navigator) that resulted in a large number of vehicle fires and a huge recall. The issue was an always-on switch in the cruise control. It was located in the engine compartment near the firewall. Ford's system had power always-on to the switch, via direct battery connection, even when the vehicle was not running, switched off, parked, what-have-you. Exposure to corrosion resulted in eventual failure of insulation at the switch and a fire would result. The most devastating of the fires were unattended, overnight events ~~ usually in driveways near houses or inside the garages, both of which often caused house fires.

To their credit, Ford worked hard to replace the switches once the issue was identified.

[vizio93]

Here's one picture that is worth studying real close . . .wow:

Wait a sec, what kinda car is that ?

[Danno]

Wait a sec, what kinda car is that ?

The hot new Crispy Critter 500-ET (Extra Toasty).

[chrismooney]

Having faught many car fires I can tell you anything goes..... LOL the can start burning from the engine, the interior, or they can also start anywere there is electrical wires...

[TurboKitty]

And a personal favorite, "Christine" '58 Plymouth Fury fire scene:

[TurboKitty]

Wait a sec, what kinda car is that ?

it sort of looks like an older BMW 3 series convertible, although I'm not sure, that's what it looks like by the front fenders/headlight area anyway?

[Swifster]

The topics you run into when your laptop is on the fritz . Cranky if you still need some burned out fire pics, I have some from a couple recent insurance claims on cars I had to inspect. Let me know and I can post them up over the weekend.

[RodneyBad]

came across a lil car fire today.

I don't quit understand way the firefighters were just standing around watching tho.????

BTW: it's a good idea to carry your own fire Extinguisher in your car.

I know I do and not a lil chrome showy one either.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Zukiholic

[torinobradley]

So do I. But do you think it'll still work to fight fires w/ Nitrous Oxide in it???

From what I understand, Nitrous don't burn unless your in a movie...

Nitrous is a super-cooler and creates a super dense air/fuel mixture. The more air/fuel you cram in a IC engine, the more power you make.

[Swifster]

This was from a fire that started with the Mustang convertible and spread to 8 other cars. The Lincoln was the car I was sent to look at.

One thing to remember is that nothing melts into thin air. It may change form, but everything that was in that car before it caught fire is still there. The glass, the wiring, the seats, the carpet...it's all there. It might be ash, crystal or rusty steel, but it's all there. It's usually sitting on the floor pan in a pile of debris. Even the metal case of the radio ends up laying on the floor. All of the wiring looks like overcooked spaghetti. Where the fire started will be the area of most damage. Hope this helps.

[Jon Cole]

This was from a fire that started with the Mustang convertible and spread to 8 other cars. The Lincoln was the car I was sent to look at.

Tom,

Why is there a hole in the roof? Or should I say "how"? Wouldn't the fire be done by time they cut the roof?

[Swifster]

Tom,

Why is there a hole in the roof? Or should I say "how"? Wouldn't the fire be done by time they cut the roof?

That is where the power moonroof used to be.

[TurboKitty]

'cause it's only a Porsche. No great loss there

you bite your tongue! If it had been a Boxster then I'd agree, but this was a classic 911 Targa from the looks of it, which is a sad loss

[gasman]

I can't even figure out what type of car this was...

Ferrari 458

[Swifster]

came across a lil car fire today.

And I just got an assignment to look at one of those today for the same reason. I hope mine isn't that bad...

[Rick Schmidt]

If ya look at that little porsche he's done. Possibly by the time the firemen arrived the car was already fully engulfed, or at the point where it is now with only tires burning . With that in mind it could be possible they decided to just let it take its course. I've heard of the firemen around here doing the same with a house. they arrive its fully engulfed, about to self demo itself. They find out no ones in it and let it burn instead of wasting resources on a lost cause