fuel load in the 1a

[Sonicblu]

IF I take 50% fuel in the f4u 1a where does it go? The wings or the belly of the beast? 

I would like to keep the fuel out of the wings.

[whiteman]

Belly, 75% and 100% goes to the wings. I carry at least 75%, empty left wing then switch to main.

[mtnman]

If you select 25% in the hanger, you'll get 3/8 internal fuel, with empty wing tanks.

If you select 50% in the hanger, you'll get 3/4 internal fuel, with empty wing tanks.

If you select 75% in the hanger, you'll get full internal fuel, with 1/4 full wing tanks.

If you select 100% in the hanger, you'll get full internal fuel, with full wing tanks.

I like to take the full fuel option for "normal" flights.  I just programmed a button to rotate fuel tanks, so I can burn my wing tanks first.  I also mapped my keyboard so just plain "F" rotates the fuel tanks.  I alternate between the L/R tanks, burning them off fairly evenly (about 1/4 tank at a time) until I reach about 1/8 in the right, and empty or 1/16 in the left.  Then I switch to the main tank for the rest of the flight.  That leaves me with barely enough to RTB on my wing tanks if someone wrecks my main.  I also like to have the right wing a little heavier than the left, so I leave some fuel in the right tank.  I don't like to burn the left tank empty before burning any out of the right, because I don't like the right wing to be so much heavier than the left.  If I get attacked I want fairly evenly balanced wings.

If I fly with 75% fuel, I do the same thing.  I fly that way if our base is being attacked, but the enemies aren't vulching yet.

If I lift from a vulched field, I'll take 50% and a DT.  I'll get rid of the DT as soon as I get attacked (maybe even on the runway...), but will try to "sneak" out with it and use it to climb. 

[texastc316]

I'm with mtnman either 100 or 75.

[Saxman]

If you select 25% in the hanger, you'll get 3/8 internal fuel, with empty wing tanks.

If you select 50% in the hanger, you'll get 3/4 internal fuel, with empty wing tanks.

If you select 75% in the hanger, you'll get full internal fuel, with 1/4 full wing tanks.

If you select 100% in the hanger, you'll get full internal fuel, with full wing tanks.

I like to take the full fuel option for "normal" flights.  I just programmed a button to rotate fuel tanks, so I can burn my wing tanks first.  I also mapped my keyboard so just plain "F" rotates the fuel tanks.  I alternate between the L/R tanks, burning them off fairly evenly (about 1/4 tank at a time) until I reach about 1/8 in the right, and empty or 1/16 in the left.  Then I switch to the main tank for the rest of the flight.  That leaves me with barely enough to RTB on my wing tanks if someone wrecks my main.  I also like to have the right wing a little heavier than the left, so I leave some fuel in the right tank.  I don't like to burn the left tank empty before burning any out of the right, because I don't like the right wing to be so much heavier than the left.  If I get attacked I want fairly evenly balanced wings.

If I fly with 75% fuel, I do the same thing.  I fly that way if our base is being attacked, but the enemies aren't vulching yet.

If I lift from a vulched field, I'll take 50% and a DT.  I'll get rid of the DT as soon as I get attacked (maybe even on the runway...), but will try to "sneak" out with it and use it to climb. 

Quick addendum to this is in scenarios/FSO/etc. In those missions I'll leave 25/50 in the L/R, respectively, owing to the longer distances typically involved, in spite of the 1.0 fuel burn. The F4U-1A has a VERY long range on internal fuel with cruise power (VMF-251 made about a 400-mile round-trip in the Bougainville FSO a couple months ago with a climbout to 25,000ft on normal power and heavy fighting along the way on internal fuel only with plenty of gas to spare).

For those who are wondering, the weight in the right wing helps counter engine torque, making the -1 and -1A a little more stable during maneuvers than the -D/C and -4

Also as an FYI: The main tank is just forward of the cockpit in the upper part of the fuselage. Not in the belly.

[Hawk55]

Great info Mtn...and thanks Sax...you answered the question I was about to type.    to both of you.

[Sonicblu]

Thnks for the help.

I usually dont last more than 50% fuel load about 20 mins per flight.

[mtnman]

Thnks for the help.

I usually dont last more than 50% fuel load about 20 mins per flight.

There's nothing wrong with that, and as a matter of fact for someone who's still learning the ride, that translates into some pretty good advice.  If you have trouble living through your fights, don't take so much fuel.  The weight is an unnecessary hindrance, as is needing to shuffle through your tanks to keep a desired balance.

As your success mounts, you may find that a reduced fuel load actually becomes a hindrance.  That's the time to start increasing the load if it's what you desire.

I seldom take less than 100%, but I wouldn't necessarily say that 100% is the best amount to take...