How Does
How Does a Flare Gun Work?
Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
Flare Gun Background
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A Flare gun is a simple and useful signaling device which dates back to 1877. Flare guns shoot brightly colored signal flares straight up into the air. Depending on weather conditions, these flares can be seen for miles in every direction. They were used in different color combinations in World War I and II to give signals to troops. Nowadays, they are usually used in emergencies to signal that a ship is in serious trouble.
How It Works
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A flare gun works in much the same way that other guns work. When the trigger is pulled, a hammer strikes a detonator cap, which ignites propellant, usually gun powder. At the same time, it catches the flare on fire. The flares contains magnesium or some other metal which burns extremely hot and extremely brightly. Depending on the type of flare, the signal can glow for 5 to 40 seconds. Some military varieties, called parachute flares, have a small parachute attached to make them hang in the air while they burn. This makes it easier to note their location.
Other Flare Uses
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Because flares are so bright and so hot, they have a variety of different emergency uses. Roadside flares, for example, are slow-burning ground flares used to mark the scene of an accident in low visibility conditions. The military still sometimes uses flares to show bombers where a target is or for other sorts of ground signaling. One of the most important military applications of flares is as a defensive countermeasure for aircraft. Signal flares can sometimes confuse heat-seeking missiles, since they produce so much heat. This will lead the missiles off course, allowing the pilot to escape.
The original signal flares were actually fired from a normal pistol. Today, most flare guns are plastic, single shot pistols designed to fire flares and nothing else. flare gun, called a Very Pistol, was actually a normal
eHow Article: How Does a Flare Gun Work?
