Drop tanks on A-10's in combat

[strikeeagle801]

I just bought the TwoBobs Inherant Resolve sheet, and looking at his FB account, he has a few A/R shots. They're taken during low-light, and it is hard to make out a lot of details, but the shape of the centerline drop tank is unmistakable, and it is obviously carrying live ordnance. 

 

I was under the impression that A-10's only used external tanks for ferry flights. When did this change, and why? 

 

Aaron

[LDM]

https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/814477/40th-fts-expands-a-10-fuel-limitations-in-combat/

 

Seems they've been testing it since at least 2013, though I've only seen pics from the last year or so of it being used for real.  Here's one of a Flying Tigers A-10 in the CENTCOM area back in February of this year, which was prior to the jets covered on the TwoBobs sheet.

 

Edited November 8, 2025 by LDM

[strikeeagle801]

Thanks for the link. I appreciate that! 

 

Aaron

[Waltz41]

It's a different tank though from the one that comes with all the kits as far as I know.  It's a bit shorter so they can still open the gun bay door.  I don't know of anyone who is making this aftermarket yet.

 

Conversion Fuel tank

[F4DPhanv3]

Waktz41, super interesting info on the A-10 tank; thank you!. 

 

...was thinking of getting the Reskit A-10 tank to go with the latest TB A-10 sheet, but will hold off a bit and await further info.

 

 

Thank you!!!

 

[F4DPhanv3]

FYI to all, Bob Sanchez from TwoBobs decals provided multiple images and links to photos of A-10C's carrying the centerline fuel tank during combat operations from "Operation Inherent Resolve" , in support of his latest decal release on the TwoBobs decal Facebook page. Good references.......

[LDM]

Here's a pic from 2016 with a ferry tank underneath:

 

Here's a pic from 2023 with the other style tank.  Note the differences in the tail fin shape and the distance from the tip of the tank to the nose gear door:

 

These are the Reskit tanks, which based on the fins appear to be the earlier tanks:

 

These are Phase Hangar 48185 tanks, which although out of stock right now, appear to be the later style tank based on fin configuration:

[F4DPhanv3]

LDM,

 

WOW! Great observation and info!!!...Hopefully, Phase Hanger can restart offering the more current/correct drop tanks....

 

Thanks for sharing the info!

 

Best,

 

Mike

[Niels]

Quote

KIHOMAC converted 40-year-old F-15 tanks in long term desert storage

Now that is neat! 
Any doubts about the likeness/difference to earlier versions should with this be removed. 

[757flyer]

So would modeling the "newer" style tank be as simple as modifying the rear end of an F-15 tank?  Remove the rear upper stub assembly on the F-15 tank and then add four fins?

 

 

[thegoodsgt]

I'm curious, too.

[Hoops]

Yeah, that's basically all there is to it.

 

That's what I did when I modelled mine in CAD for A-10s in 1/72 scale. The model is available Here

 

Cheers,

Hoops

[Finn]

A recent combat mission with the tank and a pair of Bunker Buster GBUs:

 

 

Jari