Author Topic: Fuel Tank Selection (Read 637 times)

Shuckins · « **on:** February 28, 2004, 11:18:08 AM »

I've heard several people on these boards mention that a good pilot should know the proper sequence in which to select fuel tanks to burn during a mission. Purportedly, it makes a big difference in the stability and maneuverability of some aircraft.

My question is, what is the proper sequence for some of the more popular aircraft? What tips can you give to select the proper tank to burn first. Mathman has said that he leaves the auto-selector on because it burns the tanks in proper order for the F6F. What about these other aircraft?

P-51
P-47
P-38
Me-109
Fw-190
Spits
F4U
F4F

Appreciate any help you can give me.

Regards, Shuckins/Leggern

Hap · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2004, 11:38:19 AM »

all automatic except the 190s. i burn aft tank first.

SixxGunn · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2004, 01:27:27 PM »

P51

If you take 100% fuel and DTs you need to burn the fuselage tank (AUX) first, even before the DTs to bring the center of gravity back to normal.

Fuel in the fuselage (AUX) tank pushes the CG aft causeing a stability problem.

If no DTs are used auto-select will burn the tanks in the right order.

fuzeman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2004, 03:23:10 PM »

Also on the earliest F4u model, the one with wing tanks, use the left wing tank first. The FW series the only other one I personally adjust. Use AFT first as mentioned.

Tarmac · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2004, 03:34:54 PM »

If you're using the 190A8, burn the Aux tank first. Then burn the aft tank followed by the forward tank, as already mentioned.

There's some debate as to burn order in the 152, but I always burn my wing tanks first, followed by aft, and use the forward tank to go home. Some people burn the aft tank before the wing tanks.

109 only has one tank, so burn order is easy.

Octavius · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2004, 03:42:47 PM »

P47 I dont think there's a large difference if you burn Main or Aux first. Usually I just leave it on auto.

P40 - definitely use the auto sequence. Like the P51, the Fuselage tank will screw up your CG. Its a shame though, the fuselage *seems* to burn longer than the Aux and Main combined.

OOZ662 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2004, 03:44:40 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Octavius
Its a shame though, the fuselage *seems* to burn longer than the Aux and Main combined.

Well, that's because yer sitting there waiting for it to burn. The others take just as long I'll bet, but you aren't paying attantion to them.

Same prospects as "time flys when you're having fun"

humble · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2004, 09:51:40 AM »

as a general rule...if it's got wing tanks burn em 1st...especially 205 and the -1 hog.

bigsky · « **Reply #8 on:** March 08, 2004, 01:52:53 AM »

if your interested in flying the mossy, then burn LO or RO then AUX and then LI or RI. outboard tanks then aux then inboard, it turns and fights better.