P-47 108 gallon drop tanks - ribbed or not?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hi everyone,

I am building Tamiya’s beautiful 1/48th razorback, and would like to outfit it for a medium range escort mission. In other words, I want to put one 108 gallon tank on the belly pylon. But, that is the dilemma. Tamiya molded several ribs around the front and rear section of the tank, and they are so fine I have no hope of removing the seam (acceptably) without damaging the ribs.

And, in the “Modeling Classic Combat Aircraft” mag, Pat Hawkey built a 1/32 Mustang, with similar tanks, but they were “un ribbed”.

If it is accurate, I would like to just shave the ribs off, and use the tank anyway. However, I would like to stay accurate.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

mike

2

Tamiya did it accurately. The tanks had the depicted ribbing.

3

Thanks Rick. I guess maybe I’ll load her differently. :slight_smile:

4

Hi Benzdoc. The fit is pretty good on these tanks. Try filling seam with White out and sand with fine paper. Or just replace ribs with evergreen strips… Very effective.