Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Mastrap · Nov 6, 2005, 10:26 AM

http://www.cockeyed.com/citizen/silly/silly.html

Fascinating article on how Silly String is used in house to house combat.

rickey939 · Nov 6, 2005, 12:11 PM

Whodathunkit.®

analogika · Nov 6, 2005, 01:10 PM

wow.

ThinkInsane · Nov 6, 2005, 01:15 PM

For a product that always seemed to exist solely for children to annoy and aggravate their parents, that's a rather ingenious use.

Rev-O · Nov 6, 2005, 01:37 PM

Fekking awesome!

KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 01:57 PM

It's sad that they even have to resort to silly string.

SimeyTheLimey · Nov 6, 2005, 02:26 PM

That's damned clever.

Of course, now they have to give it an NSN number and a description, something like this:

String, non-sensible, aerosol extruded foam, general purpose tripwire identification, non-CFC propellant, pressurized container. National Stock Number 001-140- 50403985, 1 each.

And paint it OD green and charge $78.44 per can.

Fyre4ce · Nov 6, 2005, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

It's sad that they even have to resort to silly string.

Not every solution needs to be laser-guided, water-cooled, ceramic-coated, high-strength superalloy with global positioning system, satellite communication, infrared signature, and a carbon fiber titanium superstructure.

I'm a big fan of simplicity.

KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 07:42 PM

I refer more to the fact that we are even putting our guys in such dangerous situations for the "cause". However, since this is not a political conversation, I will not say that nor express my views on this dumb-ass war.

JoshuaZ · Nov 6, 2005, 07:50 PM

Wow, all I have to say is wow. Go low tech solutions!

OreoCookie · Nov 6, 2005, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by SimeyTheLimey

And paint it OD green and charge $78.44 per can.

Yes, that would be the weapons-grade silly string

But honestly, a very smart idea. And cheap (if you stick to the commercial version

).

alligator · Nov 6, 2005, 10:08 PM

I'm suprised the weight is not enough to trip the wire. How light is the stuff?

ReggieX · Nov 7, 2005, 08:45 AM

That's very cool!

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 09:02 AM

and of course a stick with a thing string on the end of it works just as good, dosent run out either and less to pack with you when your on your rounds, but thats a cool use for the toy

Mastrap · Nov 7, 2005, 09:51 AM

How would a stick with a string help you see tripwires in the dark?

Fyre4ce · Nov 7, 2005, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

How would a stick with a string help you see tripwires in the dark?

Please, must I do all your thinking for you?

;-)

analogika · Nov 7, 2005, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

Please, must I do all your thinking for you?

;-)

You can start by doing your own reading.

He asked about a STICK WITH A STRING.

ReggieX · Nov 7, 2005, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

and of course a stick with a thing string on the end of it works just as good, dosent run out either and less to pack with you when your on your rounds, but thats a cool use for the toy

This can be fired from a safe distance away and in low visibility. Are you suggesting they walk around with a stick with a string hanging down from it?

Fyre4ce · Nov 7, 2005, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by analogika
You can start by doing your own reading.

He asked about a STICK WITH A STRING.

He said a "thing string" on the end. I assumed this was some generic brand of silly string. If not that, what else could it be?

ReggieX · Nov 7, 2005, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Fyre4ce

He said a "thing string" on the end. I assumed this was some generic brand of silly string. If not that, what else could it be?

A typo that needs clarification.

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by ReggieX

This can be fired from a safe distance away and in low visibility. Are you suggesting they walk around with a stick with a string hanging down from it?

and it has more chance of setting something off, a 15 foot pool with super light string dangling from the top is just as effective, which is what we used in Cadet training. String dangles down, if it comes into contact with a trip wire string doesn’t go forward. The idea of shooting foam everywhere sounds fun, but try carrying enough of it to check every inch of 30 or 40 homes in a single day. Oh and in the dark that’s what flash lights and night vision is for.

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 01:16 PM

here so you dont have to use your mind to think what it looks like

The Windozer · Nov 7, 2005, 02:15 PM

There's no chance of the weight getting caught, setting off the trap?

isao bered · Nov 7, 2005, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Athens

a 15 foot pool with super light string dangling from the top is just as effective

from the link it sounded like the primary use was during "house-to-house fighting". might be a bit impractical to carry around a long pole (much more a "pool" ;-) in that scenario.

be well.

laeth

Dark Helmet · Nov 7, 2005, 04:55 PM

Didn't they use that poll thing in the movie The Peanut Butter Solution?

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by The Windozer

There's no chance of the weight getting caught, setting off the trap?

That picture is ment to set off traps, no weight for detecting and avoiding.

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by isao bered

from the link it sounded like the primary use was during "house-to-house fighting". might be a bit impractical to carry around a long pole (much more a "pool" ;-) in that scenario.

be well.

laeth

The ones we had in Cadets was about the size of a flash light folded up. Extended it was about 10 feet and light weight. During practice exercises detecting traps the guy in front would carry it and methodically test all areas for 10 minutes then switch with another cadet and so on. As a unit we only needed 2, and only one was in use at any time. That spray stuff would prob set off most traps.

Athens · Nov 7, 2005, 06:14 PM

Arr stupid double posts!

ghporter · Nov 7, 2005, 09:43 PM

I would think that the ten-foot pole thing could set off really sensitive devices-and the bad guys in Iraq are quick learners. On the other hand, since Silly String doesn't weigh much more than air, I don't see how anyone could build a device that it would trip that wouldn't be set off by a stray air current...

Fyre4ce, I'm with you on simplicity. And it looks like you've been through the "Mark XVII Manual Field Comestibles (Cylindrical Steel Container) Rotary Initializing Device School" once or twice, only to find out you were learning about a newfangled manual can opener. Gotta love specification writers and contractors who "meet" those specs!

isao bered · Nov 7, 2005, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by Athens

The ones we had in Cadets was about the size of a flash light folded up. Extended it was about 10 feet and light weight. During practice exercises detecting traps the guy in front would carry it and methodically test all areas for 10 minutes then switch with another cadet and so on. As a unit we only needed 2, and only one was in use at any time. That spray stuff would prob set off most traps.

*assuming* the "silly string" works, i could see it being far quicker than the method you describe. spray a shot or two above head level and see where it falls vice moving slowly forward with the pole.

nevertheless, i think i'll get in touch with some folks and verify the method (and the requirement). when we've asked our friends and comrades over there if they have any needs that one hasn't come up.

be well.

laeth

isao bered · Nov 7, 2005, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by SimeyTheLimey

And paint it OD green and charge $78.44 per can.

no, no, no, no, no. if you put the contract out on the *green* can you can't take that to iraq. you then have to get another contract for a completely redesigned "desert" can and pay for expedited manufacture. the final cost should be at least half-again-as-much. (btw, your bogus nsn isn't in the correct format ;-)

be well.

laeth