Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
The phrase 'crumpled heap' comes to mind.

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Tornado Saucer

Slip a disk under 'em.
 
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With today's fly by wire systems, you can make things fly that are minimally aerodynamic, unstable, and barely controllable. Build a nice flying saucer that works, jet powered, fast and large. All you need is enough money (the first principle of flight). Have a fleet of them stationed at airports throughout tornado prone regions, ready to be dispatched when the weather conditions indicate likely trouble. Remotely piloted by an operator in a chase vehicle by both visual clues and onboard cameras. You see a nice tornado that threatens a nearby town, slip this sucker underneath it at it's base, and then whisk it away. It will take some deft stick work to keep the tornado centered, but with practice, a corps of competent tornado jocks could be assembled. Will work for small to medium size tornadoes, for those half-mile wide at the base ones, don't even bother, keep it in the hangar, unless even more more money could be secured, and build a really big.....
ty6, Nov 19 2002

The Ketchup Centrifuge is something different, NB. http://www.halfbake...etchup_20Centrifuge
Though FarmerJohn could equally have bagsed this name. [General Washington, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 05 2004]

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       I think he intends to redirect the tornadoes away from inhabited areas. I'm not convinced that simply breaking the contact between the tornado and the ground would have any effect on its course.
krelnik, Nov 19 2002
  

       . . . or even the much more dreaded Tempest In A Teacup.
bristolz, Nov 21 2002
  

       El Pedanto told me tell you it's: Teapot
thumbwax, Nov 21 2002
  

       Well El Pedanto can have his/her version. I'm sticking to mine because it's the only one my mom ever uttered.
bristolz, Nov 21 2002
  
      
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