P-51 Drop Tanks

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’m in the process of building 4 P-51’s; 2 'B’s, a ‘C’ and a ‘D’. I’m building them in Tuskeege Airmen livery and have read stories of how, for thier 1st long range mission, the ‘requisitioned’ some tanks meant for another outfit. It seems that there are 3 different types of drop tanks (45gal, 75 gal & 108 gal) and I’m looking for time frames as to when/which were used.[banghead]

2

Hello,

I am trying to find some info to help you out, I even went to the library & got Red Tails,

Black wings. The mission is discussed, but nothing on which tanks were used . It might

be safe to assume that they are the 110 gallon tanks .

Good luck ,

Frank C

3

I’ve read that the “paper” 110 tanks came later in the war, as metals became more scarce. Also to prevent the enemies from picking them out of the fields and using them for scrap.

Most photos of the eary Mustangs show the tear-drop 75 gallon metal tanks.

4

Thanks for the info![bow]

There seems to be some contention between 45 gal & 75 gal ‘tear drop’ tanks and the 108 gal papper tanks; as to when and where they were used.[banghead]

I know the 75 gal ‘tear drop’ tanks were used on P-38’s and P-61’s. The “Ferry Tank” on P-47’s;

Just looking for P-51 tanks.

5

Mustangs used 3 types of tanks; 75 gallon metal, 108 gallon paper and 110 gallon metal. I believe that 45 gallon tanks were used on P-39’s and F4F Wildcats.

Since you’re working on Mediterranean Mustangs the 108 gallon paper tanks would be incorrect because those tanks were manufactured in the UK for use by the Mustangs there. I haven’t seen a picture of Mustangs in any other theater using paper tanks.

So that leaves you with the 75 or 110 gallon metal tanks. The 75 gallon tanks would have been used early on with the 110 gallon coming later. The tanks look almost identical in shape, the 110 size being longer.

After looking through the book ‘Checkertails’, about the 325th Fighter Group, all the photos of P-51’s with tanks show either 75 or 110 gallon metal and no 108 gallon paper types.

You didn’t say what scale you’re building in but most kits include the 75 gallon metal tanks. The 110 gallon size seem to be a little harder to come by. In 1/48 I robbed a couple of napalm tanks from the Monogram F-80, removed the igniter, and used them.

HTH

Tony H.

6

Just wanna drop a line here . In the book I read the men of the 332 mentioned that the long range tanks were from P47s ! They had to modify them for P51s .

Frank C