Warbird Philosophy

Drop Tank List

Revision as of 22:31, 7 August 2026 by Noha307 (talk | contribs) (→World War II: Combine Unknown Entries)

Introduction

This page was derived from a Word document with the name "Drop Tanks Types" (later "Models") that was created on 22 June 2023.

When creating these tables, an effort was made to prioritize primary sources (e.g. stencils on unrestored tanks, manuals) over other references. The reasoning was twofold: First, primary sources are more likely to be technically specific (e.g. specific mark numbers) and include detailed information (e.g. manufacturer). Second, secondary sources are presumed to be more likely to introduce errors (e.g. conflating different models) as the information is reproduced.

As there are multiple cases of different models having the same capacity and as it is common to refer to any tank simply by its capacity, it is important to confirm that any two given documents are describing the same model. Ideally, this correlation would be achieved by verifying that both documents use an identical part number to specify their respective tanks. However, this is not always possible.

Unfortunately, as drop tanks are government furnished equipment (GFE), they are often not as well described as other manufacturer supplied parts in aircraft manuals. Furthermore, given that they were were inherently disposable and therefore no longer needed to be tracked once expended, it is likely that less care was given to identifying and marking them.

As the official names are so variable, the entries are ordered according to capacity, rather than alphabetically. Note also that the volume used in the name of a drop tank is often the useable, and not the total, capacity.

Type is not referenced, as it is considered self-evident (i.e. functionally common knowledge).

World War II

Name Capacity Material Type Manufacturer Aircraft Comments
Tank – 58 gallon droppable fuel[1] 58-63 U.S. gallons[1] Steel[1] External American Stove[1] FM-1[2], F4F-4[2], SBD-5[2], SBD-6[2], SB2C-1[2], SB2C-2[2], SBW[1], SBF[1], TBF-1[2], TBM-1[2] Also known as MK 1, MOD 1[2]
Tank – aux fuel belly type fibre 75 gal cap[3] 75 gallons[3] Fiber[3] U.S. Rubber[3]
Tank – aux fuel jettison 24 oz duck 75 gal cap[4] 75 gallons[4] Cotton duck[4]
Tank – aux fuel jettison alum 75 gal cap[4] 75 gallons[4] Aluminum[4]
Tank – 75 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel (pressurized)[5] 75 U.S. gallons[5] Steel[5] External American Stove[5], Motor Metals Manufacturing[5], Midwest Manufacturing[5], Tappan Stove[5] P-39[5], P-40[5], P-47[5], P-51[5], P-63[5] Could be modified to drop survival equipment[6]
Tank – 100 gallon droppable fuel[7] 100 U.S. gallons[7] Steel[7] External American Stove[7], Aluminum Cooking Utensil[7] TBM[7], TBY[7], FR[7]
110 gallon tank – external, jettison, auxiliary fuel[8] 110 U.S. gallons[8] Aluminum[8] External Sargent Fletcher[8] P-38, P-47, P-51, P-61[8]
Tank – 110 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel (pressurized)[7] 110 U.S. gallons[7] Steel[7] External American Stove[9], Briggs Manufacturing[9], Clark Equipment[9], Clopay[9], Firestone Steel Products[9], Rudy Furnace[9] B-25[7], P-39[7], P-40[7], P-47[7], P-51[7], P-63[7]
[Auxiliary Fuel Tank][a][10] 130 U.S. gallons[10] Aluminum[10] Internal A-25A[10]
Tank – 150 gallon droppable fuel[11][b] 150 gallons[11][c] Aluminom[3] Identification of manufacturer as connected to entry in index not confirmed, but believed based on fact that it was found in dead stock list and index lists it as not cataloged, presumably indicating it was removed
Tank – 150 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel (fiber)[9] 150 U.S gallons[9] Fiber[9] External Ohio Rubber[9] P-39[9], P-40[9]
Tank – 165 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel (knockdown)[12] 165 U.S. gallons[12] Fiber[12] External Ohio Rubber[12] P-38[12] Different tank is depicted in continuation of entry on following page
Tank – 165 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel (pressurized)[13] 165 U.S. gallons[13] Steel[13] External General Aircraft Equipment[14], Gibson Refrigerator[14], Mackenzie Muffler[13], Mills Industries[14], Tappan Stove[14], Weber Showcase & Fixture[14], Youngstown Steel Door[13] F4U-1D[13], F6F-3[13], P-38[13], P-47[13], P-61[13], PV-1[13] Replaced previous 165 gallon tank from Lockheed[13]; table on second page lists products with manufacturer’s drawing number of “155-A” which suggests different capacity[14]; for more information, see magazine article
Tank – 175 gallon droppable fuel[15] 175 gallons[15] Steel[15] External, slipper Mackenzie Muffler[15] P-39[15]
Tank – 175 gallon droppable fuel[16] 175 gallons[16] Steel[15] External, slipper Motors Metal Manufacturing[15] P-39[16], P-63[16]
Tank – 200 gallon droppable fuel[11][d] 200 gallons[11][e]
Tank – 250 gallon bomb bay metal[17] 250 gallons[17] Duralumin[17] Internal Glenn L. Martin Aviation[17] B-26[17]
Tank – 250 gallon bomb bay metal[18] 250 gallons[18] Steel[18] Internal Motors Metal Manufacturing[18] B-26[18]
Tank – 260 gallon bomb bay non-metallic self sealing[19] 260 gallons[19] Internal Goodyear Tire & Rubber[19] B-36[19]
[Bomb Bay Droppable Fuel Tank][f][20] 275 gallons[20] Aluminum[20] Internal TBM-3[20] A somewhat comparable non-droppable 212 gallon tank also existed.[20]
Tank – 300 gallon droppable fuel[21] 300 gallons[21] External, teardrop Lockheed[21] P-38[21]
Tank – 310 gallon external jettison auxiliary fuel[14] 310 U.S. gallons[14] Plywood or aluminum[14] External, teardrop Aero Crafts[14], Gillespie Furniture[14], Northwestern Aeronautical[14] P-38[14], P-47[14], P-61[14]
Tank – 400 gallon bomb bay non-metallic self sealing[22] 400 gallons Rubber and fiber[22] Internal Goodyear Tire & Rubber[22], B. F. Goodrich[22] B-24[22]
Unknown 50 U.S. gallons[23] Armite[23] External U.S. Rubber[24] SBD-5[23] Possibly MK 1, MOD 0
Unknown 75 gallons External
Unknown[25] 108 or 110 gallons Paper[25] External
Unknown[26] 150 gallons[26] External “Universal”[26]
Unknown[26] 150 gallons[26] External U.S. Rubber[26] Self-sealing[26]
Unknown[26] 165 gallons[26] External Lockheed[26]
Tank Assem. – Fuel bomb bay droppable[27] 335 gallons[28] Internal B-25H[27], B-25J[28]
Unknown 585 gallons[29] Internal B-25C[29], B-25D[29]
Unknown[30] External F6F[30]

Postwar

Name Capacity Material Type Manufacturer Aircraft Comments
External Auxiliary 60 Gal. Fuel Tank[31] 60 gallons[31] External Kellett Aircraft[31]
Mark 4[32] 100 gallons[32] External Albatross[g][32], Corsair[33]
Mark 10[33] 100 gallons[33] External Corsair[33]
Tank, Fuel, Aircraft, External, Removable, Type 1[34] 120 gallons[34] External Shin Meiwa Industry[34] F-86[34] Identification of aircraft based on claims of author of article
Fuel Tank Assembly (150 Gallon)[35] 150 gallons[35] External Douglas Aircraft[35] Also known as Aero 1A and Aero 1C[35]
Mark 5[33] 150 gallons[33] External Corsair[33]
Mark 7[33] 150 gallons[33] External Corsair[33]
Mark 12[32] 150 gallons[32] External Albatross[h][32]
External Jettison Fuel Tank 165 Gallons Capacity[36] 165 gallons[36] External Fletcher Aviation[36]
Mark 6[33] 171 gallons[33] External Corsair[33]
230-Gallon Centerline Tip Tank[37] 230 gallons[37] External, wingtip Lockheed Aircraft[37] T2V-1[37] For more information, see blog post
External Jettison Fuel Tank 255 Gallon Capacity[38] 255 gallons[38] External Fletcher Aviation[38]
Mark 8, Mod 0[39] 295 gallons[i][39] External UF-2, UF-2G[39]
300 Gallon Droppable External Fuel Tank (Long Tail) Aero 1D[40] 300 gallons[40] External A-6, A-7, AD, A2D, A4D, F3D, F4D, S-3[40] Identification of aircraft based on claims of author of article, name unclear, for additional discussion of dimensions, see forum thread
Fuel Tank Assembly (300 Gallon)[41] 300 gallons[41] External Douglas Aircraft[41] Also known as Aero 1A and Aero 1B[41]
Mark 8, Mod 1[39] 304 gallons[j][39] External UF-2, UF-2G[39]
370 Gallon Fuel Tank[42] 370 gallons[42] External Royal Industries[42] F-4B, F-4C[43]
400 Gallon Droppable External Fuel Tank[40] 400 gallons[40] External A4D[40] Identification of aircraft based on claims of author of article, name unclear
Fuel Tank Assembly (400 Gallon)[44] 400 gallons[44] External Douglas Aircraft[44] May be identical to 400 Gallon Droppable External Fuel Tank
600 Gallon Fuel Tank[45] 600 gallons[45] External Royal Industries[45]
External Centerline Fuel Tank[46] 600 gallons[46] External McDonnell Aircraft[46]
Centerline Wing Tip Tank[47] External, wingtip Fletcher Aviation[k][47]

Images

Drawings

Pictures

To Do

  • The drawing numbers for drop tanks are 10303 for the F4U, 28300/28301 for the F6F and 55380 for the F8F
    • The drawing number for a drop tank is 36316 for the TBM,[49] but it is not available on AirCorps Library
  • The 100 gallon tank used on the F8F was manufactured by Youngstown Steel Door[50]
  • As of 1 October 1947, the F7F could be equipped with either 150 or 300 gallon drop tanks[51]

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Name is taken from manual, but is very likely not official and therefore its use here is considered to be placeholder.
  2. ↑ This specific tank not cataloged.
  3. ↑ This specific tank not cataloged.
  4. ↑ This specific tank not cataloged.
  5. ↑ This specific tank not cataloged.
  6. ↑ Name is taken from manual, but is very likely not official and therefore its use here is considered to be placeholder.
  7. ↑ Exact model unclear from context.
  8. ↑ Exact model unclear from context.
  9. ↑ Fully serviced, not usable fuel.
  10. ↑ Fully serviced, not usable fuel.
  11. ↑ Under license from Lockheed Aircraft.

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 65. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Jackson, David D. (26 May 2024). "American Stove Company During World War Two". The American Automobile Industry in World War Two. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Dead Items Stock List: Aircraft Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (Revision A ed.). 8 July 1946. p. 1. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Dead Items Stock List: Aircraft Auxiliary Fuel Tanks (Revision A ed.). 8 July 1946. p. 2. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 66. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. ↑ General–Conversion of 75 Gallon Auxiliary Metal Fuel Tank Into Fighter Rescue Gear, 30 January 1945, p. 1, retrieved 6 August 2026
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 67. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 [Unknown]. Sargent Fletcher Company. p. A-1. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 68. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Section XVI: Fuel System". Technical Training Handbook of Service Instructions for the Model A-25A Airplane. St. Louis Plant, Airplane Division, Curtiss-Wright Corporation. 15 July 1943. pp. 18, 21. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. XLVII. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 69. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 71. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 14.12 14.13 14.14 "Miscellaneous". Index of Army-Navy Aeronautical Equipment. 10 July 1945. p. 72. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 175. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 176. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 178. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 179. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 180. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Preliminary Erection and Maintenance Instructions: TBM-3 Avenger III Airplanes. August 1944. pp. 233, 235–242. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 177. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 "Oxygen Equipment/Miscellaneous Equipment" (PDF). Index of Army and Navy Aeronautical Equipment. Vol. 3. p. 181. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Instructions for the Erection and Maintenance of the Model SBD-5 Airplane. El Segundo, California: El Segundo Plant, Douglas Aircraft Company. 1 November 1943. pp. 438–439. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  24. ↑ Takeuchi, Gary T. (27 December 2008). "[Drop Tank]". Flickr. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Lane, John (March 2014). "Every Problem Has a Solution". Britain at War.
  26. ↑ 26.00 26.01 26.02 26.03 26.04 26.05 26.06 26.07 26.08 26.09 Bomb & Drop Tank Intall., Useful Load, Rigging Diagram, Twin Pylon, Chance Vought Aircraft, retrieved 23 August 2023
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Airplane Parts Catalog for Army Models: B-25H and B-25J; Navy Models: PBJ-1H and PBJ-1J; and British Model Mitchell III. 20 June 1944. p. 389. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Handbook [of] Maintenance Instructions: USAF Series B-25J, TB-25J, TB-25L, TB-25L-1 and TB-25N Aircraft. 15 July 1958. p. 5-27. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 Maintenance Manual [for] B-25C and B-25D Airplanes. Inglewood, California: Field Service Department, North American Aviation, Inc. p. H-6.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Thomason, Tommy H. (9 September 2019). "Grumman F6F Hellcat Belly Tank". Tailhook Topics Drafts. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Overhaul Instructions with Illustrated Parts Breakdown: External Auxiliary 60 Gal. Fuel Tank. 1 May 1964. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 Ginter, Steve (1984). Grumman HU-16 Albatross. Simi Valley, California: Steve Ginter. p. 16. ISBN 0-942612-11-8. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  33. ↑ 33.00 33.01 33.02 33.03 33.04 33.05 33.06 33.07 33.08 33.09 33.10 33.11 33.12 Erection and Maintenance Handbook: Navy Models: F4U-1, F3A-1, FG-1, F4U-1C, F4U-1D, FG-1D Airplanes. 15 April 1946. p. 537. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3 Spennemann, Dirk H.R. (1995). "Secondary Use of Artefacts and the Development of a New Historical Context: An Example of the Jet Age". Digital Micronesia. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 Illustrated Parts Breakdown: Fuel Tank Assembly (150 Gallon). 1 July 1960. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Parts Catalog: External Jettison Fuel Tank 165 Gallons Capacity. 15 January 1951. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 Handbook Overhaul Instructions: Model T2V-1 230-Gallon Centerline Tip Tank. 1 April 1959. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Handbook Overhaul Instructions: External Jettison Fuel Tank 255 Gallon Capacity. 13 September 1950. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 39.3 39.4 39.5 Flight Handbook: Navy Models UF-2, UF-2G Aircraft. 15 July 1961. p. 50. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 40.2 40.3 40.4 40.5 Thomason, Tommy H. (31 July 2011). "Douglas Low-drag External Fuel Tanks". Tailhook Topics. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 41.2 41.3 Handbook Overhaul Instructions: Fuel Tank Assembly (300 Gallon). 15 June 1960. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Overhaul Instructions: 370 Gallon Fuel Tanks. 15 November 1964. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  43. ↑ Overhaul with Parts Breakdown: 370 Gallon Tank and Ejector Pylon Assembly. 1 February 1966. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 Handbook Overhaul Instructions: Fuel Tank Assembly (400 Gallon). 15 June 1960. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 45.2 Overhaul Instructions: 600 Gallon Fuel Tanks. 15 April 1965. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 46.2 Overhaul: External Centerline Fuel Tank. 1 December 1965. pp. title, 1-1/1-2. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 Illustrated Parts Breakdown: Centerline Wing Tip Tank. 1 December 1958. pp. title, 1. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  48. ↑ Davis, Larry (1984). P-47 Thunderbolt in Action. Aircraft. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications. p. 19. ISBN 0-89747-161-X.
  49. ↑ Aircraft Parts Catalog: Navy Model TBM-3 Airplane. 1 November 1945. p. 491. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  50. ↑ Parts Catalog for Navy Models F8F-1, F8F-1B, F8F-1N, F8F-2, F8F-2N, F8F-2P Airplanes. 1 May 1949. p. 507. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
  51. ↑ Erection and Maintenance Handbook for Navy Models F7F-1N, F7F-2N, F7F-3, F7F-3N, F7F-4N, F7F-3P Airplanes. 1 October 1947. p. 256. Retrieved 7 August 2026.
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