Drop Tank Fuel Lines

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’ve been trying to locate some photos that show exactly how the external fuel tanks for both P-47D Thunderbolts and P-51D Mustangs get the fuel into the aircraft. Specifically, the 108-gallon paper mache fuel tanks and where the fuel lines go into the aircraft.

From my research, I’ve seen that on these paper tanks that both the fuel and air vent lines would be (typically) located at the rear of the tank.

What I’m trying to determine is/are the spot(s) where the fuel line connects to the aircraft - where on the fuselage when the tank is a centerline tank and where on the pylon if the tanks are hung underneath the wings.

Anyone else have this problem and if so, what’s the answer?

It may sound like I’m ‘over thinking’ this, but it’s one of the nuances that I’ve discovered about modeling - attention to detail.

Thanks!

2

On the P-51 the rubber fuel line from the tank attaches to a fuel line extending from the inside face of each pylon, about half way back and half way up/down.

3

Here’s a link to a photo on my website of the Mustang pylon and fuel lines:

http://www.yolo.net/~jeaton/Propplanes/p51/025p51.htm

4

bondoman & jeaton01:

Thank you both for responding!

Now that the mystery of where the fuel lines on the Mustang’s drop tanks connect, I just have to find out about the P-47D Thunderbolt.