VLR Mustang Drop Tanks

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’m working on several 1/48 Tamiya P-51D Mustangs, including the Very Long Range Iwo Jima Mustangs of the 15th and 506th FG. I understand these used 165 gallon drop tanks. Where can I find these 165 gallon tanks in 1/48 scale? Were these the same as the P-38 drop tanks? Did these VLR Iwo Jima Mustangs use any other types like 108/110 gallon drop tanks? And for that matter, are the 108 gallon drop tanks different from the 110 gallon drop tanks (besides 2 gallon capacity) in that the latter were metal while the 108s were paper?

2

I sent you a personal message about some other info.

You can use the P-38 drop tanks. I’m not sure though whether those are 110gals or 165gals (But I believe those in the 1/48 Monogram kit are 165gals). However, it seems the VLR P-51s used both.

Either way, you’ll need to scratch build the sway braces. Also, some of the tanks seem to be rotated so the seam is vertical instead of horizontal. As always, best to find some reference pics of your subject or others in the same squadron.

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=194630&st=0

http://s362974870.onlinehome.us/forums/air/index.php?showtopic=129567

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1312332345/1312424053/Are+these+suitable+for+1-32+VLR+P-51+110+gal+drop+tanks-

3

Thanks for the informative post. From your links and my research, it seems like the VLR Mustangs might have used 165 gallon drop tanks sparingly or only very late in the war and the 110 gallon drop tanks much more often. Also, it appears the 110 gallon drop tanks look very much like 75 gallon drop tanks, but much larger.

Thanks again for your help

4

The 165 gal. tanks were used when the VLR P-51’s were equipped with the 5 in. HVAR rockets for ground attack missions. It made up for the increased fuel usage from the weight and drag of the rockets.

The 110 gal. teardrop shaped tanks were the ones normally used by the VLR Mustangs on escort missions. I’ve only seen the 110 types in the Monogram P-80 kits and they’re used in this kit as napalm bombs.

The 108 gal. tanks were made both of paper and metal. However, they were made locally in the UK and only used by the 8th and 9th AF’s, plus a few units of the RAF

Tony H.

5

Thanks for the informative reply, Tony H.

And by P-80, are you referring to this kit?

http://www.revell.com/model-kits/aircraft/85-5311.html

6

Yes … that would be the kit … I still refer to it as the P-80 instead of the F-80.

Glad I could help you out.

Tony H.

7

I just ordered and received the F-80 kit and it has the “drop” tanks which look perfect.

Thanks again