Fire extinguishers on aircraft

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi:

As a new item regarding fighters and other WWII aircraft I was curious about fire suppression at least on US planes. The late Martin Caidin when comparing the Zero to US planes mentioned the lack of fire extinguishers on the Japanese plane. Again like armor and radios, it was a weight saving measure.

Well I'm curious, how much additional weight did fire extinguishers add to a plane? Was there a standard model or did it vary? Where would they be mounted? Did European planes use them? Would they be redundant if the plane had self sealing gas tanks? Dennis I know this one is right up your alley so you'll have a fun Monday doing research.:D

[asnrobert]

I know bombers like the B-17 and B-24 had remote control extinguishers to put out engine fires (a circumstance where self-sealing tanks would do no good), but I don't know about fighters. Perhaps twin-engine fighters like the P-38 did, but in single engine aircraft, if your engine was on fire putting it out still wouldn't help you get home and your only choice would be to bail out.

[old_pop2000]

Hi:

As a new item regarding fighters and other WWII aircraft I was curious about fire suppression at least on US planes. The late Martin Caidin when comparing the Zero to US planes mentioned the lack of fire extinguishers on the Japanese plane. Again like armor and radios, it was a weight saving measure.

Well I'm curious, how much additional weight did fire extinguishers add to a plane? Was there a standard model or did it vary? Where would they be mounted? Did European planes use them? Would they be redundant if the plane had self sealing gas tanks? Dennis I know this one is right up your alley so you'll have a fun Monday doing research.:D

I will research this today or tomorrow. I know that most aircraft had automatic fire extinguishers on their fuel systems. However, I have never seen cockpit layout diagrams of F4F's, F6F's with hand held extinguishers located inside. It does not mean, that small ones could not be jerry rigged by the aircraft mechanics.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I will research this today or tomorrow. I know that most aircraft had automatic fire extinguishers on their fuel systems. However, I have never seen cockpit layout diagrams of F4F's, F6F's with hand held extinguishers located inside. It does not mean, that small ones could not be jerry rigged by the aircraft mechanics.

Dennis:

I remember in the movie Midway, one of the fighter pilots has a cockpit fire that is burning his flying gloves and he manages to put it out with a small extinguisher. Now I have no idea how accurate that is. So I would assume that each internal fuel tank would have its own extinguisher?

[old_pop2000]

Dennis:

I remember in the movie Midway, one of the fighter pilots has a cockpit fire that is burning his flying gloves and he manages to put it out with a small extinguisher. Now I have no idea how accurate that is. So I would assume that each internal fuel tank would have its own extinguisher?
Yes, but did you notice that it was a 1970's model fire extinguisher. I don't believe it was accurate. I am researching, but may have to run over to Gillespie Field and talk it over with the aircraft restoration experts for the SD Aerospace Museum. Its about 5 miles from my house.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Yes, but did you notice that it was a 1970's model fire extinguisher. I don't believe it was accurate. I am researching, but may have to run over to Gillespie Field and talk it over with the aircraft restoration experts for the SD Aerospace Museum. Its about 5 miles from my house.

Dennis:

You'll find any excuse to go look at the planes LOL!