[Balding_Eagle]

With the combination of little fuel in the tank and the 13,000 foot thinner air, it is difficult to get the fuel/air mixture to explode.

That's true, but the tanks would be pressurized to some extent, otherwise the more volatile compounds in the fuel would boil off into the atmosphere, leaving behind a more 'sludgy' fuel mixture.

Think of the gasoline you keep on hand for your lawn mower. It's in a closed container, and after a few minutes, or hours depending on the temperatures, it has a pressure built up.

That said, I've believed it was a missle from the very beginning. I just never knew about the Gorelic involvment in the cover-up. Those people were hip deep in things during the whole eigth years.

[aviator]

The tanks aren't pressurized when they are empty. Nor when they are full.

[moehoward]

Think of the gasoline you keep on hand for your lawn mower. It's in a closed container, and after a few minutes, or hours depending on the temperatures, it has a pressure built up.

Only if the outside temp is warmer than the inside temp.