85 gallon fuselage tank Mod questions..

[drgondog]

I have several topics I am looking to close information gaps on.

1. Does anyone know where the NAA "Field Service Bulletin 73-93" can be found. It is a 109 page document for Depot level work to modify the P-51B-1, -5 and C-1 to incorporate the 85 gallon tank, filler cap, pumps, switches, etc that went to both the US Based Depots such as Buffalo Curtis and Dagget Douglas to begin work on them - as well as ETO BAD/SAD

2. The IARCs do not provide a record of mods, just movements. I have found several references to "3rd SAD" as a two-four week stop in the ETO for the B-1s/-5s and C-1s that got out of the States before the Mods started in November 1943. Warton (2AD) shows up as the primary Depot for P-51s, but RAF Watton was 3rd SAD, so any insight there?

3. Does anybody know for certain which P-51B received the first 85 gallon tank in production, or the first P-51B-5 to receive the 85 gallon tank mod in US Depot. The NAA Dwg 104-481013 "Equipment Inst'L Fuel System" has effectivity for P-51B 43-7113 (#801) to 43-7202 (#890) and P-51C 42-103779 (#891) to 42-103978 (#1000)... pointing to the first and succeeding P-51B-10 and P-51C-10.

There is evidence based on notation on IARC that 43-6497 was the first -5-NA modified in US Depot but also 43-6594; Without the travelling documentation for either ship, there is no verification that I can find. Any thoughts?

A lot could have been accomplished at both Inglewood and Dallas via a Temporary Change EO to install the production fix Prior to the 104-481013 Drawing Effectivities cited above, but the Smithsonian drawing package does not include EO's of any kind.

Thanks in advance,

Bill Marshall

[dirtysidedown430]

life getting a little boring dog

[lmritger]

Bill, perhaps Craig Quattlebaum (login "craigq") might see this and be prompted to respond; I know he knows a LOT about wartime Mustang mods. Vlado Lenoch, Jim Harley, or Mike V might be able to put you in touch with folks who could help as well.

Sorry I don't have any direct info on this, but I'll stay tuned as this seems like a really interesting query (from a technical perspective).

Cheers,

Lynn

[drgondog]

Thanks Lynn - Vlado and Jim and John Muszala see my random requests for arcane data on the 51 all the time but these little tidbits have got both me an Gruenhagen doing some deep dives into areas that may have dried up.

Boeing theoretically has the NAA source material that I am looking for but they don't respond to answer whether or not they have/have not retained all the Change EO's the Field Service Bulletins, correspondence between AAF Material Command, NACA, etc.

Maybe Craig will have some ideas regarding the evolution of the 85 gallon kits from an assembly of parts and instructions as well as the tooling/processes to fabricate the necessary parts for installation before Dallas and Inglewood cranked up factory incorporation.

The Malcolm Hood evolution is equally interesting to me as another important P-51B/C mod for 8th AF and RAF Mustang III. My father preferred the Malcolm Hood converted B/C for flying but not enough to give up D/K firepower and visibility.

Thanks again for the lead.

Regards,

Bill aka "James William Marshall" on FB.