ElectroSoldier Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Guys, I was wondering if any of you can help with something that has been bothering me for some time. The Airfix HH-53C kit external fuel tanks are different to those fitted to the Italeri version of the kit. I know those fuel tanks were the ones fitted to the HH-53C back in the early 80s when they were based at RAF Woodbridge when it was painted in the 3 time SEA scheme, and then later on when they were painted in the Euro 1 scheme they recieved newer larger tanks as fitted in the Italeri kit. However when the HH-53C served in Vietnam and afterwards until the late 70s early 80s what tanks were fitted to it? The larger tanks from the Italeri kit of the smaller ones from the Airfix kit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HeavyArty Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 (edited) Not sure which kit's tanks are the correct ones, but this is what they wore in Vietnam in '72. From 1980. Edited February 27, 2017 by HeavyArty Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 In picture 1 and 3, are they the same tanks as found on the F/RF-84? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hajo L. Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 I think I once read that they used the same tanks as the F-105. HAJO Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clinstone Posted February 28, 2017 Share Posted February 28, 2017 Correct. 450-gallon tanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hawg53 Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 They were 450 gallon aux tanks. They were NOT crash resistant. They would rupture and explode after a crash. This is how most of the crewmen died in the crash. The larger tanks were crash resistant and kept a lot of the crewmen alive following a crash. There were some 650 gallon tanks, but they didn't become standard until the Pave Low. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
italycrew Posted March 1, 2017 Share Posted March 1, 2017 Hello, the 650 gallon tank is in the pic n°2? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thegoodsgt Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 23 hours ago, italycrew said: Hello, the 650 gallon tank is in the pic n°2? That's my guess. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted April 9, 2017 Author Share Posted April 9, 2017 When they were upgraded to Pave Low they got another style of tank with a different fin as I remember them. So going by those pictures the smaller tanks were from Vietnam. Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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