P-51D Mustang with Unusual Drop Tanks

jzichek · **Joined:** Tue Apr 26, 2011 12:19 am **Posts:** 76

Check out this article at RetroMechanix.com on a P-51D Mustang which was tested with a pair of unusual streamlined 150 gallon ferry tanks at Eglin Field, Florida in 1944-45:

The object of the tests was to determine the safe ferry range of the P-51D airplane. The article features 20 photos of the installation, as well as scans of the actual report itself. I've not seen this type of drop tank installation on a P-51 before, though they are described as "standard P-51B 150 gallon auxiliary tanks" modified for use on the P-51D.

Also, this article and all prior ones now feature thumbnails for easier navigation of the images.

-Jared

Django · **Posted:** Wed Jun 15, 2011 11:18 am

That's interesting. I've not seen that before either. I bet they were deemed too expensive to produce for the aerodynamic gains.

M.P. · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:30 pm

Two pictures of my collection show this installation at an RAF Mustang II.

gary1954 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2011 5:54 pm

great old shots, but them is sommmmmme Fugly Aux-tanks...fugly

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Aug 02, 2011 6:31 pm

and airplanes with wheel covers are refered to as having 'pants' but aircraft with full strut covers are refered to as having 'spats' ??,
those look like with a flatter rear section, they almost could work as skis or mud skimmers :wink:

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P-51D Mustang with Unusual Drop Tanks

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