Destruction of Automobiles
Part of the stock-in-trade of effects design is the destruction of auto mobiles. These unfortunate vehicles are blown up, burnt out, shot a and deliberately crashed.
Destruction by fire
Although the vehicle is going to be destroyed it is wise to deal with the gas tank before operations commence. It can explode dangerously i left full of vapour. The risk can be overcome by filling the tank with water.
A popular method of ignition is by electrical firing of a pyrotechnic charge placed in close proximity to a plastic bag of liquid fuel. To avoic explosion open two or more windows.
The upholstery in an automobile can smoulder for many hours anc sometimes a vehicle reignites after it has been extinguished.
Exploding vehicle
Either high explosives or pyrotechnics will effectively demolish an automobile, but the latter invariably produce more smoke. Unless the scene is to be blotted out the car should be positioned down wind.
If the doors are to fly off, the hinges should be unscrewed and windows kept shut.
It sometimes happens that a windshield flies out in one piece. If it is toughened glass, but has to shatter, a bullet-hit should be placed against the glass (held there by a chunk of modelling-clay) and fired simultaneously with the explosion. To enhance the effect of an explosion on a stationary auto, remove two wheels, place the car on wooden blocks and stand the wheels back in position. The blocks can then be demolished by smaller charges.
Smoke from a travelling automobile
This is best arranged by having a smoke gun operated from inside the vehicle, but if pyrotechnic smoke is used it should be fixed to a part of the vehicle (or mounted on an outrigger) well away from the gas-tank vent.
Steam from the radiator
Use a can or stout plastic bottle that can be sealed. The cap should be provided with a quarter-inch hole.
To operate the effect, fill the can two-thirds full with hot water and add several small pieces of dry ice. Screw the cap down and position the can near the radiator. A jet of harmless ‘steam’ shoots up from the hole. Useful when scalded arms or faces are called for.
DESTRUCTION OF AUTOMOBILES
a, Bullet-hit held to windshield with block of clay, b, plastic canister, containing gasoline and sealed pyrotechnic explosive to create a big fire effect, c, smaller fire effect using plastic bag of fuel and thunderflash. d, smaller still, a plastic bucket of fuel with an igniter suspended above, e, ground-maroon will fling open bonnet lid. f, bullet effect on lamp glass using bullet-hit. g, high explosive placed under or in a car for big blow-up. h, mortar placed to one side will lift and overturn vehicle, j, bullet-hits inserted into tyre fired via slip-rings mounted inside wheel can be used while vehicle is in motion, k, hinges should have their screws removed if pyrotechnic explosion is used in vehicle, m, a tyre cast in latex can be used for comedy flat sequence.