110 Gallon Belly Tank for P-47

[Stoney74]

Since fuel is always an issue when trying to fly the Jug, I wish we had the 110 gallon belly tank for all the P-47's.  That extra 35 gallons could add 5 minutes or more to the flight time.

[AWwrgwy]

I'll see your 110-gallon belly tank and raise you a 215-gallon belly tank.

From Osprey's 56th Fighter Group
  "While two 150-gallon drop tanks could be carried under the wings of the P-47, the drag they created was considerable.  The shackle pylons on the wings also caused drag, affecting both manoevrability and speed.  Dave Schilling had discussed these problems with Cas Hough, who was in charge of the experiment station at Bovingdon, and the latter's solution was the 215-gallon belly tank.  Basically a wider version of the 'flat' 150-gallon tank, it was fabricated in steel by a British firm specially for the 56th FG.  Use of this tank allowed the wing pylons to be removed, thus further maximising the Thunderbolt's performance."

So, at the very least, a 150-gallon belly tank.

 


wrngway

[Odee]

As I recall, the Jug originally had a belly tank that made it look like a pregnant guppy, but was more aerodynamic than the wing tanks.  Not sure of the capacity, but 110 gallons sounds about right.

[Stoney74]

Well, there was a 205 gallon ferry tank that was tried, but it wasn't pressurized, and didn't work too well as a combat drop tank.  In the Pacific, they used 110 gallon tanks on the belly.  Once the D-15 came out with wing pylons, in the Pacific they used the 165 gallon P-38 tanks almost exclusively, until the end of the war.  In ETO, they started with a 75 gallon belly tank, but later got access and used the flatter, 110 gallon tank.  There are some pictures of the 56th FG actually using the 110 gallon tank as wing tanks.  The P-47N was specifically fielded with a 110 gallon belly tank, the 165 gallon "P-38" wing tanks, and had optional 330 gallon wing tanks.  I think the 330 gallon wing tanks would be a bit much for AH.  But, the 110 gallon belly tank would especially reduce the "elevator" (going up and right back down) effect of the P-47D11 when you're trying to keep it as light as possible.