drop tank id?

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2016 9:28 pm

A good friend of mine was helping to clean up a persons yard, and came across a couple of drop tanks. Thought I might give it a try and post these to see if anyone might recognize them?
The area is in the Sierras above Castle Airport (ex-Castle AFB)
From him "Here's some photo's of the drop tank that measures a full 10' long X 24" appx. in diameter.
It's in pretty darn decent shape, one ding in front photo attached and a couple side dents not too deep near the mounting area. Some accumulative
rust on the inside but was stored with tank filler downwards, so not too bad either."

Any idea's would be appreciated, and depending on what they are from, any value, or just scrap?

Thanks!

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2016 10:15 pm

Couldn't load them all in one post.

JohnB · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2016 10:59 pm

If it's really 10 ' long, I'd say it looks like straight wing F-84 drop tank...not tip tank.

JohnB · **Posted:** Fri May 20, 2016 11:04 pm

If it's really 10 ' long, I'd say it looks like straight wing F-84 drop tank.

Deuelly · **Joined:** Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:30 pm **Posts:** 97

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2016 2:30 pm

Roger Cain wrote:

Any idea's would be appreciated, and depending on what they are from, any value, or just scrap?

Thanks!

Definitely not scrap; at the least, some traditional hot rodders would want to build them into vintage drag/salt flats racers.

Taigh Ramey · **Posted:** Sat May 21, 2016 3:56 pm

We would love to give it a good home at the Stockton Field Aviation Museum which is not that far from Castle. Please let us know. taigh@twinbeech.com

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2016 12:17 pm

Taigh, we'll keep you in mind if they don't find a useable home.

Roger Cain · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2016 1:35 pm

Taigh, we'll keep you in mind if they don't find a useable home.

DaveG · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2016 2:45 pm

Hope you don't mind me jumping in, but I saw this in a street art display area along Frenchman Street in New Orleans recently. Any ideas on type?

K5DH · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2016 4:27 pm

That last one looks like an F-86 tank to me.

Spectre_I · **Posted:** Sun May 22, 2016 8:01 pm

The lugs look drop tankish to me as well. F-84 / 86 probably, I'd have to get a better look.

BTW, Castle Air Museum here! If you don't find a home for it, we'd love to have it. We have those aircraft on display. It could be easily restored and put on one of our displays. If you are interested, please just message me on here and I will give you my contact info. Thanks!

Nathan · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2016 8:34 am

I saved two drop tanks, one from a P-51 and another from a F-86. Lots of people don't care much for the drop tanks and just think their worthless but I think this thinking is very wrong. I mean if you don't have the money to buy the entire airplane, a drop tank from one is fulfilling. On a serious note, even though a drop tank is an external item, I consider it a major portion of the airframe.

I cringe at people trashing or hacking tanks up for salt flat racers. Just like with airplanes, once these drop tanks are destroyed they are gone. and then people will start wanting them and its too late.

DaveG · **Posted:** Mon May 23, 2016 9:48 am

K5DH wrote:

That last one looks like an F-86 tank to me.

Sure looks like it to me too. Thanks!

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drop tank id?

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