p-51 / paper drop tanks

[.linus]

okay guys i need your help. i will be attempting a p-51d of the 434th FS, 479th FG. i'll be using the aires super detail set w/ engine and gun bays exposed. my question is. would there be paper drop tanks attatched to the wings if ,say, they were doing last minute tweaks on the engine before take off. i understand they were prone to rupture if still attatched on landing. would this also be the case during maintanence?

thanks again

[mawz]

If it truly was a bit of last minute work right before takeoff, then yes they should be mounted. If it's a maintenance cycle prior to a mission then probably not. They'd most likely upload the tanks just before fueling up for the mission.

[.linus]

If it truly was a bit of last minute work right before takeoff, then yes they should be mounted. If it's a maintenance cycle prior to a mission then probably not. They'd most likely upload the tanks just before fueling up for the mission.

cool thank you sir, that answered my question

[.linus]

for anyone else that reads this. i found this photo and several others through out this website that shows the paper tanks present during maintanence. thanks for all the input on the subject.

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=4&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=31&Temp=609&searchString=

[dmk0210]

Of course, they were attached empty and then filled up on the aircraft.

They could have been mounted up while the last minute maintenance was performed, then the aircraft was fueled and armed right before warm up.

[Hal Marshman Sr]

I believe your pic shows the 108 gal metal drop tank. Note that the nose cap is not striated as that on the paper mache tank.

[dnl42]

Here are some pix of paper tanks and one being hung. You can clearly see the striations mentioned above and that they're empty when hung from the wing.

And for contrast, here are some metal tanks; note the horizontal seams.