drop tank id?

[Roger Cain]

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!

Attachments

[Roger Cain]

Couldn't load them all in one post.

Attachments

[JohnB]

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

[JohnB]

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

[Deuelly]

P-38

[Chris Brame]

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]

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]

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

Last edited by Roger Cain on Sun May 22, 2016 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Roger Cain]

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

Last edited by Roger Cain on Sun May 22, 2016 3:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[DaveG]

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]

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

[Spectre_I]

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]

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]

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

Sure looks like it to me too. Thanks!