The smoke bombs

A BIT OF HISTORY

Yes, it’s true, in the past the elements used for the spectacular smoke trails left in the skies by planes were a compound based on chlorosulfonic acid and sulfuric acid, in particular in the execution of certain maneuvers, such as the representation of the “bomb”, the pilots had to have great skill, coordination and experience to calculate the humidity rate of the air (being a hygroscopic compound, higher than average humidity caused a higher density) and the knots of wind, to avoid the compound coming into contact with the spectators present, causing irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract but… yes there is a big BUT because times have changed. 

TODAY

Today, smoke bombs used in air shows have a completely different element base and are characterised by a fuel (usually sugar), an oxidiser (chlorates or nitrates) and a moderating component (sodium bicarbonate) which serves to prevent the jet from being too hot and the organic dyes from being pulverised.

And the colors of the smoke bombs?

Generally, for the emission of white smoke bombs, an oil-based substance is used, primarily Vaseline oil (often the most used in demonstrations).

For colored smoke bombs, potassium perchlorate is used (nice to know: in medicine it is used, combined with other drugs, in the treatment for hyperthyroidism), combined with lactose and:

• RED = p-nitroaniline red
  ORANGE = chrysoidin orange
  YELLOW = auramine yellow
  GREEN = auramine yellow and indigo
  LIGHT BLUE = indigo

HOW DOES EXPULSION OCCUR?

When the smoke mixture (the components above) burns, in the absence of oxygen, the dye evaporates and comes out of the diffusion device and, condensing, generates the colored smoke.

NICE TO KNOW:

Did you know that the smoke emission device of the PAN (National Aerobatic Team, or the Frecce Tricolori) is built by a company in Varese? If you are interested in finding out more, read here:“The Frecce Tricolori’s contrails are made in Varese”.

WHAT ABOUT MAGIC?

It is in uniting the scientific and technical studies that made the creation and expulsion of smoke bombs possible, with the skills of the pilot. Because in the end, the wow effect is born when the maneuvers in the air dance in a colored curtain.

SO THEY ARE CHEMTRAILS?

YES! In the sense that smoke bombs are chemical compounds.

From here to the fact that if breathed, they lead to being controlled by government bodies or higher entities, well… it would take another post!