apache external fuel tanks

can anyone tell me where i can get some all-round pics of the apaches external fuel tanks, that thet are currently using. any info would be much appreciated. Cheers. Triken.

These things are generally falling out of favor as the internal Robbie tanks get fielded, though. And that’s not me, by the way.

Hey- Really interesting picture. Why is the tank pitched nose up relative to the outboard station? I have seen other pictures of Apaches where the IB stores are at the same angle as the OB, so do the bombrack mounts have an adjustible pitch setting? Is that just used for tanks? Is it supposed to be a low drag configuration in cruise or possibly to improve the tank jettison characteristics? I have never seen that feature before. Phil

Slim Pickens?

The pylons do elevate and depress for aiming rockets and launching the Hellfire missiles at the correct pitch, and also level the stores with the ground when we land. The tanks are fixed nose-up, to minimize drag in forward flight, and they stay that way on the ground, despite the lack of ground clearance aft. A full 230 gallon tank weighs almost 1700 pounds. Even though 150-200 gallons is more typical, that’s still a lot of stress on the actuators and pylons, and you don’t want that much mass pitching and sloshing around out there, especially if you’re landing on a slope.

Glider, many thanks for the photo, it was spot on. hope i can return the favour. Cheers mate. Triken

They look like the same tanks as on a UH-60. Anyone know if they are?

Gino,

Not 100% sure, but I believe they are.