Burning Tanks

NOTE: In strict adherence to the scientific method, I used Tiger I's as the example for all three styles. Everyone loves Tigers, everyone loves fire... it was consistent, and appealed to the masses.  

 I am at a loss on which direction to go for markers indicating knocked out tanks… I bought the Battlefront pack of smoke/flames thingy… I then constructed from some examples posted on TMP, a couple markers from tree foliage (I never noticed the green showing through until I took this photos tonight)… and then tonight I built the third option out of a cotton ball, washer base, 16 penny nail for support…

I don’t know which direction to go… should I abandon the home made options? After looking at the options with my father (who used to be an avid modeler) he thought the tree foliage was too dense looking and didn't represent the wispyness of smoke… I thought that burning oil and rubber and paint (and asbestos???) would be a dense black smog and this the tree foliage would be better…. My brother, whom I play against (we are learning FOW rules together- yes I know we are late to the party but I never really gamed before, just painted), has no opinion (and all the minis he plays with are mine and are painted by me… so he is only allowed to the opinion I give him anyways… but I would actually enjoy an opinion in this matter)

Another issue that I have considered/disused was that of size. Are these plumes of smoke and fire too large? Having never seen a WWII ear tank A. get hit by an enemy round; B. Seen that WWII ear tank then catch fire and burn… I’m at a loss about how much smoke is appropriate…

Thanks for any comments you might have on this matter…