I agree with most of Stuff's post. Hit by a drop tank is highly unlikely but at least credible. It takes ages to light kerosene (I've tried it at a fire drill; took 30 seconds with a burning brand in a pan full of fuel)
The in-cockpit dialogue might go something like
(ba-bang)
Pilot "We've lost power, pulling up"
pause (Nav would wait till climb established - some crews might have the pilot say "ready for checks" or the nav might ask this).
Nav "Check rpms" (no rpm gauges in rear cockpit)
Pilot" zero on the left - seized, the right is at 90%, unstable"
Nav" suggest we jettison"
Pilot "roger, punching the tanks off"
(Thunk as tanks come off)
Nav "Safety altitude is 6,300 ft. Steer 050 for Lossie, 52 miles"
Pilot"Roger, coming starboard 050. Get the cards out for the drills"
etc.
You could, of course, have one of the drop tanks hit the car, which then blows up. In the movies, around 98% of cars blow up - the audience expects it. In reality, according to a California policeman I used to know, about 2% of cars actually blow up in crashes.
Last edited by Fox3WheresMyBanana; 15th Dec 2012 at 21:28.