Mythbusters Explosive Decompression Experiment

"Andrew Rowley" wrote in message
...
"C J Campbell" wrote:

Once they managed to induce an explosive decompression using the shaped
charge, the damage was incredible. The whole top of the fuselage was
ripped
off and big chunks of the wall where the explosion was were missing. It
looked like those photos of the Hawaiian Airlines incident, only much
worse.
I think it might have been possible to continue to fly the aircraft, but
it
would have been very difficult, depending on how much damage the debris
did
to wings, tail, engines and control surfaces.

Of course, to do that kind of damage a terrorist would have to somehow
get a
shaped charge the size of a basketball onto the airplane, place it
properly
up against the wall of the fuselage, and detonate it, all without being
noticed.

I don't think you can draw that wide a conclusion from the test that
they did. The Lockerbie bombing was a pretty effective demonstration
of damage that can be done from a small amount of explosive. I think
they worked out it was about 300 grams - what is that, 11 ounces?

What type of explosive? A pound of C-4 will (IB) destroy an armored car or
do serious damage to a tank.

Remember, they were given the explosive by Libya (IIRC), so it was not some
mild store variety.