I recently bought two Airfix 1/48 P-51D Mustang kits. The article in the September 2017 issue of Airfix Model World showed that the kit offered an excellent cockpit and a correct reproduction of the main wing spar at the rear of the main landing gear bays. The article also showed that the kit included 75 gallon drop tanks marred by the lack of clinch flanges (page 52). (The 1/72 Aixfix P-51D kit also suffers from this flaw.) When Airfix announced that the 1/48 kit was available on their website, the accompanying photos showed 75 gallon tanks with the necessary clinch flanges. On opening my kits, I was disappointed to find that the tanks provided do not, in fact, have the flanges. I assembled one and compared it with a 75 gallon tank from a Tamiya P-51D kit and found that the Airfix rendering is much larger. I then measured other 75 gallon tanks in my collection and stash and discovered that their sizes vary. The Tamiya, Arii, Hobby Boss and Meng tanks are scale 6’3" long. Accurate Miniatures (from their P-51B kit) and Eduard’s Brassin tank are 6’ long. Airfix’s measured 6’6" long. I then checked some references to determine the correct length for this tank. Three (Kokufan, Kagero and Aero Detail) had scale drawings showing 6’ and two (MMP and AJ Press) showed 7’3". An internet search provided no information. Does anyone know the correct dimensions of the 75 gallon drop tank used on the P-51B and D Mustangs? Can anyone suggest a source for this information? I was thinking of contacting the Air Force Museum and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum. It is worth noting that I found evidence that there was a larger capacity metal tank with the same configuration as the 75 gallon tank that also seems to have been used on Mustangs. Any suggestions or information would be appreciated. No rush. Thank you in advance.
I received a letter today, 22. Jan 2018, from Paul Silbermann of the National Air and Space Museum staff. He reports that the Army Air Forces 75 gallon drop tank used on P-51D Mustangs during World War II was 74.375 inches long. That converts to 6 feet 2 1/3 inches. The Tamiya, Arii, Hobby Boss and Meng renditions are the most accurate. The Airfix tank is too long and the Accurate Miniatures and Eduard tanks are too short. My thanks to Mr. Silbermann.
In 1/48 scale, 3 scale inches is 1/16” actual size. Unless the two items are side by side, very hard to pick up that difference visually. And certainly no reason to go out of your way for replacements. If they are already in your spares bin, or if you have plenty of spare money burning a hole in your pocket, go for it…
Interesting…you could just use the 108 paper tanks.