Why do all the Wonderbolts have a lightning cloud trail when they fly?

[NavelColt 22,881]

A rather simple question, but one of which that is fairly interesting to think about. When Dash flies she has a Rainbow trail. When all the other pegasi fly they don't seem to have one, which is probably because you need to be going fast enough to leave any sort of distinctive trail at all.

 

 

But, why do all the Wonderbolts have this thundercloud theme? Is it in the identical costumes they all wear? A ponies trail should be unique to their own make-up and appearance like Rainbow, shouldn't it? You would expect Spitfire for example to have an orange reddish trail, maybe even some fiery effects to go with not only her mane and color scheme, but her name as well, just like how Dash works.

 

Ideas and thoughts, everypony.

[Nouth 496]

I would always explain it to myself that with certain degree of discipline, a pony could influence how their trail looks like, and therefore the wonderbolts would pick one kind of trail and all learn to use it. On the other hoof, in Dash's fantasies as a wonderbolt, she seems to have her original rainbow trail.

Well, I think that either they can influence their trails by themselves, or Dashie's so special she's got her very own trail :3.

 

EDIT : Also, dem tags .

Edited August 31, 2012 by Nouth

[Starshine 16,334]

 

I'm guessing it's their uniforms. Pretty sure they got some enchantments on those jumpsuits. No idea why in Rainbow's imagination she got her own unique, shiny trails. Might be something about it was her doing the daydreaming.

 

 

About the thunderclouds theme, it's the Blue Angels.

 

 

And if each pony got their own trails, things won't look so beautiful and harmonious

Edited August 31, 2012 by Dreamwalker

[NavelColt 22,881]

I would always explain it to myself that with certain degree of discipline, a pony could influence how their trail looks like, and therefore the wonderbolts would pick one kind of trail and all learn to use it. On the other hoof, in Dash's fantasies as a wonderbolt, she seems to have her original rainbow trail.

Well, I think that either they can influence their trails by themselves, or Dashie's so special she's got her very own trail :3.

 

EDIT : Also, dem tags .

 

I'd want some seriously overly-analytic science theory to back up how they could influence their trails, because that just doesn't seem like it's something you can do xP

 

 

 

I'm guessing it's their uniforms. Pretty sure they got some enchantments on those jumpsuits. About the thunderclouds theme, it's the Blue Angels.

Yup, knew they're based off the Blue Angels. And enchanted uniforms in order to cause a sense of unity and team is what I'm going for too, it's the only explanation that seems plausible to me.

 

And if each pony got their own trails, things won't look so beautiful and harmonious

Point taken, but how is raging thunderclouds harmonious?

[Regality 233]

Hmm I doubt there's any real reason for it. Just an effect added by the animators to enhance that over the top "awe" that is used to add dramatic effect to a character. Such as that "punch" sound effect in older action movies that is used to heighten the combat. The same can also be said about Rainbow Dash's rainbow trail she leaves behind, which technically shouldn't be happening as there's nothing actually coming off of her, unlike a jet's contrail.

~~

[NavelColt 22,881]

The same can also be said about Rainbow Dash's rainbow trail she leaves behind, which technically shouldn't be happening as there's nothing actually coming off of her, unlike a jet's contrail.

~~

A blur effect from something going that vast and being that vibrant would definitely make an after image, but no, it certainly wouldn't stay in the air solidly for a few seconds like it does with Dash in the show.

Edited August 31, 2012 by ~Chaotic Discord~

[Starshine 16,334]

 

Point taken, but how is raging thunderclouds harmonious?

 

Because the pony in the middle took the harshest wind and the enchantment went awry?

 

I say it's the formation leader who got the thunder-y ones. Aesthetic purposes?

[Nouth 496]

I'd want some seriously overly-analytic science theory to back up how they could influence their trails, because that just doesn't seem like it's something you can do xP

 

 

It's just a way I view it The problem with wanting scientific explanations is that you may not always get them

Although your theory of it being caused by their suits seems most realistic and possible, my little belief remains unchanged

[Regality 233]

A blur effect from something going that vast and being that vibrant would definitely make an after image, but no, it certainly wouldn't stay in the air solidly for a few seconds like it does with Dash in the show.

 

Yeah you have a point there. So I guess that wasn't the best example of the point I was trying to make. But still, you get what I was saying.

~~

Edited August 31, 2012 by Regality

[NavelColt 22,881]

Because the pony in the middle took the harshest wind and the enchantment went awry?

 

I say it's the formation leader who got the thunder-y ones. Aesthetic purposes?

 

Probably. I think going with "It's part of the show, meant to be very eye-catching, and to perhaps make them seem like a force to be reckoned with, being the 'Best Flyers' in the realm" is more along the lines of what it's aiming.

[Zygen 6,066]

Maybe they wear something that changes the color of their traill?

I'm pretty sure its gonna be pretty hard to make sense of it otherwise. And they're proably is not set in stone reason so you could proably speculate forever. But thats the fun in it

[Evilshy 5,090]

Now that I look back, there have been very few instances where RD had the rainbow trail, those being when she does a Sonic Rainboom, and when she does the Tornado thingy. I'm probably forgetting a few, though.

It can't be simply speed-based, because we know that a Sonic Rainboom is faster than her "Patented Rainblow Dry" (as she calls it in ep1), so she would've had a trail at some point before achieving Sonic Rainboom. So obviously she has at least some conscious control over her trail. My guess is that other Pegasi do as well.

 

I would think that the Wonderbolts either trained themselves to make their trails similar, or use magic to make them match. Perhaps they have a unicorn working for them who enchants their wings/suits/whatever before shows for added effect. That would also explain the lightning, just a different/extra enchantment.

 

I'm pretty sure its gonna be pretty hard to make sense of it otherwise. And they're proably is not set in stone reason so you could proably speculate forever. But thats the fun in it

 

I often wonder if any of the creators of the show ever think as deeply about the science of the show as some of us do. Personally, I love trying to find scientific ways to explain fictional stuff

[Zygen 6,066]

Now that I look back, there have been very few instances where RD had the rainbow trail, those being when she does a Sonic Rainboom, and when she does the Tornado thingy. I'm probably forgetting a few, though.

It can't be simply speed-based, because we know that a Sonic Rainboom is faster than her "Patented Rainblow Dry" (as she calls it in ep1), so she would've had a trail at some point before achieving Sonic Rainboom. So obviously she has at least some conscious control over her trail. My guess is that other Pegasi do as well.

 

I would think that the Wonderbolts either trained themselves to make their trails similar, or use magic to make them match. Perhaps they have a unicorn working for them who enchants their wings/suits/whatever before shows for added effect. That would also explain the lightning, just a different/extra enchantment.

 

 

 

I often wonder if any of the creators of the show ever think as deeply about the science of the show as some of us do. Personally, I love trying to find scientific ways to explain fictional stuff

 

I think thinking about fictional stuff in a realistic way is starting to grow on me to... I guess thats a good thing I do wonder tho. But I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done it for something like this. I guess who knows but it doesn't seem like something the developers would ponder if they ponder any of the things on the show at all in a scientific way.

 

But again what do I know about the developers Xd

[Evilshy 5,090]

I think thinking about fictional stuff in a realistic way is starting to grow on me to... I guess thats a good thing I do wonder tho. But I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have done it for something like this. I guess who knows but it doesn't seem like something the developers would ponder if they ponder any of the things on the show at all in a scientific way.

 

But again what do I know about the developers Xd

 

I don't mean they plan out all the physics of the MLPverse before they make an episode, I just wonder if they ever look back at different things that happen and think "hey, I bet I know how the physics of that work". Or do they ever look at stuff bronies have deduced from meticulously watching the show for small details and think "hey, this guy knows what he's talking about, that's probably how that WOULD work."

 

Of course, when you make the show, it's a lot easier to be right

Edited August 31, 2012 by Evilshy and His Own Ego

[Zygen 6,066]

I don't mean they plan out all the physics of the MLPverse before they make an episode, I just wonder if they ever look back at different things that happen and think "hey, I bet I know how the physics of that work". Or do they ever look at stuff bronies have deduced from meticulously watching the show for small details and think "hey, this guy knows what he's talking about, that's probably how that WOULD work."

 

Of course, when you make the show, it's a lot easier to be right

 

Well i'm sure they don't exactly get together and dicuss it as a company but I'm sure after the fact the different developers of the show atleast have pondered one or two things on their own about the show or thought about how it should or even adopted some of the ideas from speculations made by the fans.

And yeah its pretty much impossible for them to be wrong on their own show. Plus if anybody objects they could always use the magic card

[hana 217]

i think that the best of pegasee has a trail, and it connected to their cutie mark (and rainbow dash is just spacial[rainboom? its so unique, even the wonderbolt was shocked])

now, i dont really remember, but in this pic only 2 has lightnings, they are probably the best of the 6 (lightning is something that close to light, and rainbow is light, therefor, rainbow dash is more talented)

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

I'd have to go with dreamwalker on this one. The wonder bolts theme is based on the blue angels with out a doubt so I'am going to have to agree with his answer.

[Evilshy 5,090]

i think that the best of pegasee has a trail, and it connected to their cutie mark (and rainbow dash is just spacial[rainboom? its so unique, even the wonderbolt was shocked])

That's possible. We'd have to see the Wonderbolts Cutie Marks before we're sure, though. We've only seen Cutie Marks on their suits so far, and we've seen at least two WOnderbolts with the same suit Mark, so I doubt it's the real one.

 

 

now, i dont really remember, but in this pic only 2 has lightnings, they are probably the best of the 6 (lightning is something that close to light, and rainbow is light, therefor, rainbow dash is more talented)

 

 

Two Ponies in this have the lightning bolt on their suit, so perhaps these are the two lightning trailers?

 

 

Also, I don't know about it being based on talent. And your syllogism is off. Lightning is a form of static discharge caused by a build up of energy that suddenly becomes strong enough to jump through the air (which is a very good insulator). Light and all it's colors are a form of electromagnetic radiation. They are related, but they can't really be compared in that way. And anyway, lightning has a lot more energy behind it than visible light.

Edited August 31, 2012 by Evilshy and His Own Ego

[Squeaker101 50]

I have a feeling we're over-analyzing it just a smidge. I agree with Regality, it just adds that extra effect of over-dramatization.

 

I never really did like the Wonderbolt's trails, only cause of the black smoke. It's like they're polluting Equestria. ;_;

[Flame Blitz 85]

They're well trained, so, probably, they use the same trail to make the presentations look more harmonious. Since we never saw them flying without their uniforms, i imagine that each one haves his/her own trail, as Dash.

The other pegasus can't fly so fast like them, so it's logical to think that they don't have trails.