Solo Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 I have just found out about 600 galons fuel tanks for F-16 and I think they look really cool under the wings of Viper. Now I am making F-16D Block 42 and I wanted to use normal, 370 galons tanks, but now I am thinking about 600 ones. Few questions: 1. Which blocks of F-16 are valid to use those 600s? Could Block 42 have it? 2. Do those tanks influence for available range of choices for air to ground weapons on neighbouring pylons? 3. I know ResKit makes those tanks and offers for them strange pylons, as you can see them on picture below - are those pylons suitable for that tanks for sure? I mean unusual pylon endings. Anyone can help? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 (edited) I don't believe any operational USAF/ANG/AFRES units load the 600 gal tanks, they are used only by some foreign/export customers. Your photo is of a Block 40A F-16C assigned to a flight test squadron out of Eglin AFB, where external stores are evaluated and tested before being cleared for use. I believe the Israeli AF was the first operational user of the 600 gal tanks. Note the jet in your photo is also carrying CFTs which also are not used by operational USAF/ANG/AFRES units. Edited April 16 by habu2 tpyos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
strikeeagle801 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 (edited) Habu is correct. That is the only photo you are likely to find of a USAF Viper carrying those tanks. There definitely is a weight/drag/maneuverability penalty using those tanks. With the availability of air-refueling assets, it was deemed that the USAF didn't require CFT's or the 600 gallon tanks. I know there are a few air forces that do use them, but other than Isreal, I don't know them off the top of my head. Aaron Edited April 16 by strikeeagle801 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted April 16 Share Posted April 16 Portugal, Venezuela to name a couple others. I think Japan's F-2 also carries them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 Although they tested the tanks, Portugal is not operating them. 15107 was seen carrying them in 2005, but not since. Venezuela has also tested them, but doubt they use them actively then again FAV F-16's are rarely seen. Even less with 600 gallon tanks. I believe Greece also tested them, but for sure do not operate them. The Israeli and JASDF are the only ones regularly using these tanks as already stated. Israel regularly flies them on the F-16I, less frequently on the B/C/D fleet although it has been done. I haven't seen them on the IDF/AF A's. The JASDF never had any other wingtanks but the 600 gallon tanks. One of the main benefits of the 600 gallon tanks besides extended range is that the pylon is not jettisoned as it is when you release the 370 gallon tanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Solo Posted April 17 Author Share Posted April 17 Thanks for explanation. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted April 17 Share Posted April 17 The Hellenic units of 340 and 343 Mira (Blk52+), use them, maybe not often but they certainly use them. Haven’t seen them on any other HAF units. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 Did some checking and struggle to find the Greeks using them later than 2016? Might be wrong ofcourse? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gb_madcat_sl Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 RSAF Block 52s have been seen with them but quite rarely. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Here's the same jet carrying a store I've never before seen on an F-16, an AQM-37 https://fullfatthings-keyaero.b-cdn.net/sites/keyaero/files/styles/article_body/public/woodwing/2022-11/145665.jpeg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scotthldr Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 2 hours ago, iaf-man said: IAF A/B did use them They appear to be standard 370 tanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 23 hours ago, scotthldr said: They appear to be standard 370 tanks They are. The B has been observed with the 600 gallon tanks, but not seen any of the A's with them. Both of these pics however show the regular 370 gallon tanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iaf-man Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 23 hours ago, scotthldr said: They appear to be standard 370 tanks You are correct, my mistake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 B probably needs the larger 600 tanks to make up for the smaller internal fuel capacity on the two seater vs the A/single seater. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 Is the 600 gal tank wing pylon the same for F-16 & F-2 ? As in can I use the 600 gal tank parts from a Hasegawa F-2 kit on an F-16 kit? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 21 hours ago, habu2 said: Is the 600 gal tank wing pylon the same for F-16 & F-2 ? As in can I use the 600 gal tank parts from a Hasegawa F-2 kit on an F-16 kit? Yes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 7 Share Posted May 7 32 minutes ago, Niels said: Yes Thanks 👍 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Just found out Kinetic kit 48026, Hellenic AF F-16C Block 52+ includes 600 gallon tanks & pylons on tree N. It is the only Kinetic kit I know of that includes that tree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted May 10 Share Posted May 10 You can also get them from Skunkworks kit IDF Weapons Set #2, Skunkmodels 48002 (2015) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Inquisitor Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 (edited) On 5/7/2025 at 2:38 PM, Niels said: Yes Not exactly the same. Overall shape and pointy back end seems to be the same. But the ones on the F-2 seems to use BRU-47s with exposed sway braces and open cutouts, the other pylons on the F-2 use the same ejector rack. While the ones used on the F-16 like the Israeli ones and as depicted in the Reskit resins, have a fairing/cover over the sway braces of whatever ejector rack they use, probably just the same old MAU-12 used in the station 3/7 pylons for commonality sake. edit: another difference I noticed. The F-16 pylon front slope is one straight line while the F-2 has a small kink at the tip. Edited May 28 by Inquisitor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Niels Posted May 19 Share Posted May 19 OK, I can live well with that little difference, then each will have to make up their own mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.