Hawker Tempest - what's it doing?

[Dave Hadfield]

I reviewed a collection of photographs yesterday from the estate of an RAF Flt Lt who flew at Boscombe Down in 1944/45. This image was part of the stack.

The aircraft type, and probably the date, appears to be in error, but the place is confirmed by the pilot's son. Anybody know more about those units under the wing?



I don't think he was supposed to bring it home.

[Tony C]

Absolutely no idea but could they be some kind of air dispersal system!

The rear of the tank, which is flattened looks like it may provide a wider area of dispersal, of whatever is contained within the tank, rather than in a stream, if that makes sense

[Larry Kraus]

The underwing tanks appear to be M10 smoke tanks used to create smokescreens.

A6D92341-F2AE-4767-9758-7F75CB5CC7AC by tanker622001, on Flickr

This site has some information on the M10 smoke tanks used in USAAF service. They were also used by the US Navy and RAF.

https://napoleon130.tripod.com/id918.html

[Dave Hadfield]

That's great, thanks.

[Aeronut]

Chemical smoke curtain. Well that was one use for them but they were also capable of dispensing other more nasty liquids in a chemical fog.
Many such trials at the A&AEE were conducted jointly with the neighbouring Chemical Defence Establishment at Porton Down where even today poison gas shells left over from both World Wars are disposed of.

[Mark Allen M]

Holy Smoke!


A P-47M Thunderbolt (serial number 44-21228) of the 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group in flight, trailing smoke from a generator.


56th Ftr Grp, 62nd Sqdn apt. Bob Winters at the stick testing smoke-dispensing wing tanks.

[Dave Hadfield]

You guys can find out everything...

[JohnTerrell]

When Fagen Fighters' P-51D Twilight Tear debuted at Oshkosh in 2011, it sported a set of M10 smoke tanks. In the P-51, these were activated by using the two toggle switches in the cockpit labeled "Chem. Tanks".

Photo by Al Sauer:

[michaelj2k]

Have you contacted the Boscombe Down Aviation Collection? http://www.boscombedownaviationcollection.co.uk/

It's located on the Old Sarum airfield. https://www.oldsarumairfield.co.uk/

[Dave Hadfield]

Not me, my role here was just to bring two parties together with the aim of preserving the mementos of an RAF life. But thanks, I'll send along the link.

Dave