Even current model flamethrowers don’t use weapon-mounted reservoirs. The ones in World War II had backpacks that looked like the spare tire cover on a Lincoln Continental. Pedantry only works if you know what you’re talking about.
TRUE cutting edge ones would probably be hypergolic. Harder to accidentally toast yourself while reloading/refueling, while easier to MacGyver into an explosive to blast your way into/out-of somewhere in a pinch.
The WORST ones would also use something that reacts violently with water – thus rendering counterproductive most attempts to put out the fires.
White or red phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium blend. The sodium reacts violently to water, magnesium burns _really_ hot, and phosphorus is a pain to extinguish.
Not that I would know anything about non-projectile-based weapon systems…
…I wonder if Ultima Ratio Regum (“The Last Argument of Kings”… and the nuclear-powered minigun from Snow Crash) is in the Annex One basement somewhere…
The nuclear minigun from Snow Crash was named “Reason”. Thus my previous comment. Though Reason did, like Louis XIV’s cannons, have “Ultima Ratio Regum” inscribed on it.
And there’s always “Old Moses”, the cannon that had a few cameos on Mythbusters–“with a mighty voice, it lays down the law”, according to its owner.
I loved the idea of a firearm named “Reason” that I named my Steampunk-modded nerf blaster that. I can’t wait until I can use it in a Steampunk LARPG, just so I can tell people that “You should listen to ‘Reason’.” ^___^
To the tune of “Crystal Blue Persuasion”
as performed by Tommy James and the Shondells
Unity’s knocking, and what do we see?
A flame is a-rising, most definitely
Tip didn’t listen to capitalization
So it’s lighting up, Gentle [gun] Persuasion
Unity’s ready, and the fire is bright
Persuasion’s the answer to every fight
Most people would stop her, but Tip didn’t mind
Just look in her hands, and see what you’ll find
Gentle [gun] Persuasion, mm-hmm
Causes devastation
Gentle [gun] Persuasion, Gentle
[Gun] Persuasion
Maybe tomorrow, when Tip looks ‘round
At all the fires, and what’s burned down
Every pyre, each conflagration
There’ll be Unity, running free
Gentle [gun] Persuasion
Gentle [gun] Persuasion…
So would that be Mr. Persusation or Ms. Persuation?
As a sentient flamethrower, perhaps it prefers to be called gentleperson.
Anyway.
Tire fire in 3… 2… 1…
File fire in…
Despite being very, very phallic, guns are usually assumed to be feminine, like vehicles.
…I don’t want to know what kind of guns you own.
Coincidentally Gentle Persuasion looks like the flamethrowers they use in Aliens 2
Are those the same ones they used in the sequel to The Great War, in the Normandy scene?
Even current model flamethrowers don’t use weapon-mounted reservoirs. The ones in World War II had backpacks that looked like the spare tire cover on a Lincoln Continental. Pedantry only works if you know what you’re talking about.
TRUE cutting edge ones would probably be hypergolic. Harder to accidentally toast yourself while reloading/refueling, while easier to MacGyver into an explosive to blast your way into/out-of somewhere in a pinch.
The WORST ones would also use something that reacts violently with water – thus rendering counterproductive most attempts to put out the fires.
White or red phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium blend. The sodium reacts violently to water, magnesium burns _really_ hot, and phosphorus is a pain to extinguish.
Not that I would know anything about non-projectile-based weapon systems…
That was informative. Thank you.
If Gentle Persuasion doesn’t work, maybe she’ll listen to Reason…
…I wonder if Ultima Ratio Regum (“The Last Argument of Kings”… and the nuclear-powered minigun from Snow Crash) is in the Annex One basement somewhere…
The nuclear minigun from Snow Crash was named “Reason”. Thus my previous comment. Though Reason did, like Louis XIV’s cannons, have “Ultima Ratio Regum” inscribed on it.
I thought it was “Ratio Ultima Regnum”.
And there’s always “Old Moses”, the cannon that had a few cameos on Mythbusters–“with a mighty voice, it lays down the law”, according to its owner.
I loved the idea of a firearm named “Reason” that I named my Steampunk-modded nerf blaster that. I can’t wait until I can use it in a Steampunk LARPG, just so I can tell people that “You should listen to ‘Reason’.” ^___^
Maybe Gentle Persuasion, Reason and Vera can all go on a coffee date when this is over.
If she won’t respond to Reason or Gentle Persuasion, Reverend Oats could offer her Forgiveness…
Well played.
Sir Pounce won’t respond to any variation on his name, so we’ve been calling him Licorice.
Maybe he needs more gerbils to eat.
(TUNE: “Lady Madonna”, The Beatles)
Gentle Persuasion!
Friend of Unity!
Helps to solve her problems with subtlety!
Gentle Persuasion!
Toy with which to play!
Helping all our troubles to melt away!
Ev’ry day, our Unity is hopin’
She can find a barricaded door!
She can use Persuasion then to open …
That’s what it’s for!
Gentle Persuasion!
Lighting up each tire!
Soon the whole darn building will be on fire!
Tip didn’t notice how, umm, enthusiastic Unity was regarding Gentle Persuasion? o_O
Yeah. Those tires’ll really go up in flames.
Along with the files.
(Tune: High Hopes, Frank Sinatra)
Just what makes that wee revenant,
Think she’ll move that rubber tyre plant?
We all know a revenant,
Can’t,
Move a rubber tyre plant.
But she’s got G.P.,
She’s got G.P.
She’s got a flame to maim,
And pursuade gently.
So next time you’re in a spot,
Feel it’s getting hot,
Look out for that revenant,
Whoops, there goes another rubber tyre plant.
Unity asking about the rubber plant made me think of this song too.
That’s my girl 🙂
To the tune of “Crystal Blue Persuasion”
as performed by Tommy James and the Shondells
Unity’s knocking, and what do we see?
A flame is a-rising, most definitely
Tip didn’t listen to capitalization
So it’s lighting up, Gentle [gun] Persuasion
Unity’s ready, and the fire is bright
Persuasion’s the answer to every fight
Most people would stop her, but Tip didn’t mind
Just look in her hands, and see what you’ll find
Gentle [gun] Persuasion, mm-hmm
Causes devastation
Gentle [gun] Persuasion, Gentle
[Gun] Persuasion
Maybe tomorrow, when Tip looks ‘round
At all the fires, and what’s burned down
Every pyre, each conflagration
There’ll be Unity, running free
Gentle [gun] Persuasion
Gentle [gun] Persuasion…
One day I’ll give into MY filk tendencies and then YOU’LL all be sorry 3:)
Eventually, all of us will end up giving in to the filk side. I would have already, but I don’t have a speck of creativity in me.
Burning tires leave behind wreathes of fine wires. Things learned in Peace Corps!
(Also, broken glass is an ineffective roadblock)
Hee. I once had an enchanted pickaxe in minecraft named Gentle Persuasion.
I have a rogue in a D&D game with a dagger named Natural Causes.
“We have a rubber plant?”
“Yes, it’s in a pot next to Gavotte’s desk, but that’s not important right now.”
Tip you were in the army, you really ought to know about creative weapon naming.