ima have to say no, becuase even when you dont have the tanks you still have the bar thing that you attach things to like bombs or DTs. If i am wrong please correct me. Salute
LW rides have these racks, which wouldn't be there if the drop tank/egg hadn't been selected.
US planes have the pylons whether you use them or not, LW rides have these racks, which wouldn't be there if the drop tank/egg hadn't been selected. In the D9, it cost like 9 mph, as I recall
I just popped into the TA and at least graphically there is a difference with the P-39's (both), F4U-1, & F4U-1A. Can't speak to the flight modeling but on those 4 airplanes there is a bomb/droptank shackle on the plane after the tank is released.
On those planes yes, the drop tank brace does not appear to be part of the basic airframe as it is on the 51, 38, F4U-1D, etc.