Ameer Randolph
Drop tanks, also known as external, wing, or belly tanks, are auxiliary fuel tanks used by aircraft, particularly in military aviation. They are designed to be discarded in the event of an emergency or combat to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability. The amount of fuel a drop tank can hold varies depending on its design and the aircraft it is intended for. For example, during World War II, the Luftwaffe employed external fuel tanks with a capacity of 300 litres (66 imperial gallons or 79 US gallons), while in another instance, P-38 fighters utilised drop tanks with a capacity of approximately 570 to 620 litres (150 to 165 US gallons).
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What You'll Learn
Drop tanks are external fuel tanks
In aviation, a drop tank is an external tank, also known as a wing tank or belly tank, that is used to carry extra fuel. They are often expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability. Drop tanks are typically used by military aircraft, but can also be found on civilian aircraft, although these are less likely to be discarded except in emergencies.
The amount of fuel that a drop tank can hold varies depending on its size and the aircraft it is designed for. For example, during World War II, the Luftwaffe used external fuel tanks with a capacity of 300 litres (66 imperial gallons or 79 US gallons). In another instance, P-38 fighters used drop tanks with a capacity of approximately 570 to 620 litres (150 to 165 US gallons) for Operation Vengeance, the downing of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's aircraft.
The weight of the fuel in a drop tank is an important consideration, as it affects the overall weight and performance of the aircraft. The fuel in drop tanks is usually consumed first, and only when it is depleted, the fuel selector is switched to the aircraft's internal tanks. The use of drop tanks also reduces the number of external hardpoints available for weapons and increases the aircraft's radar signature.
The first drop tanks were designed to be discarded when empty or in combat or emergency situations. They were made of glue-impregnated kraft paper, which had excellent tolerance for extreme temperatures and was waterproof. These paper drop tanks were used by the British during World War II due to metal shortages and were strictly single-use as the glue would dissolve over time due to the solvent effects of the fuel.
Modern external fuel tanks are more advanced and may be retained in combat, only being dropped in emergencies. They are complex and expensive, featuring multiple cells, plumbing, pumps, valves, pressurization, and other components. The use of drop tanks allows aircraft to increase their range and patrol time, as demonstrated by the Allies during World War II, who used them to extend the range of fighters over continental Europe.
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They are expendable and can be jettisoned
In aviation, a drop tank, also known as an external tank, wing tank, or belly tank, is an auxiliary fuel tank that is attached to the exterior of an aircraft. These tanks are designed to be expendable and can be jettisoned when empty, during emergencies, or in combat situations. The ability to discard drop tanks is crucial for aircraft as it helps reduce drag, weight, and improves manoeuvrability.
The amount of fuel a drop tank can hold varies depending on its size and purpose. During World War II, the Luftwaffe introduced external fuel tanks with a capacity of 300 litres (66 imperial gallons or 79 US gallons). In comparison, the Mitsubishi A5M aircraft used an external underside drop tank, while the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter was designed with drop tanks for endurance, providing two hours of flight at full power or six to eight hours at cruising speed.
The drop tanks used in Operation Vengeance, which involved the downing of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's aircraft, had varying capacities. Each fighter aircraft carried one smaller drop tank of approximately 570 to 620 litres (150 to 165 US gallons) and a larger one of approximately 1,100 to 1,200 litres (300 to 330 US gallons). This allowed the fighters to carry out their mission with a total extra fuel capacity of approximately 1,700 litres (450 US gallons) per aircraft.
The use of drop tanks provides several advantages to aircraft. Firstly, they enable aircraft to carry additional fuel for extended range and endurance, particularly during long-range escort flights. This was evident during the Spanish Civil War, where drop tanks allowed fighter aircraft to accompany bombers without requiring larger and heavier fuselages. Secondly, drop tanks can be jettisoned in the event of an emergency or combat, reducing the aircraft's weight and improving its manoeuvrability. This was particularly useful during the transit of Supermarine Spitfires to Malta by the RAF in 1942.
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They were first used on 5 March 1923
Drop tanks, also known as external tanks, wing tanks, or belly tanks, are auxiliary fuel tanks carried externally by aircraft. They are often expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag, weight, and increase manoeuvrability. The first drop tanks were designed to be discarded when empty or in the event of combat or emergency.
The use of drop tanks was first recorded on 5 March 1923, when the 1st Pursuit Group of the US Army Air Service flew their Boeing MB-3A Pursuit planes with 37-gallon (140-litre) centreline drop tanks. These early drop tanks allowed the aircraft to achieve a radius of action of about 400 miles, a significant improvement over previous pursuit-type aircraft. The drop tanks were suspended from the aircraft's bomb rack along the centreline of the bottom of the fuselage, and pilots had access to a releasing device in the cockpit.
The development of drop tanks at Selfridge Field in Michigan was a significant milestone in aviation history. On the same day, pilots also experimented with using the frozen Lake St. Clair as a landing field, showcasing the versatility and adaptability of the early aviation pioneers. While the development of drop tanks stalled after these initial tests, they would later be used extensively during the Spanish Civil War and World War II to extend the range of fighter aircraft.
During World War II, the use of drop tanks became more widespread. The German Luftwaffe developed 300-litre (66 imperial gallon or 79 US gallon) light alloy external fuel tanks for their Junkers Ju 87R aircraft. The Mitsubishi A5M, designed by Jiro Horikoshi, began carrying an external underside drop tank in 1937 to provide fuel for extended range. The Allies and the Royal Air Force (RAF) also developed their own drop tanks to increase the range of fighter patrols and long-range medium bombers.
The versatility of drop tanks was further demonstrated during World War II, when metal shortages led to the development of "papier-mâché" or paper drop tanks. These were fabricated from specialised glue and kraft paper, providing a waterproof and heat-tolerant solution while conserving vital metal resources. These paper drop tanks could only be used once but were extremely effective and could be easily carried by a single person when empty.
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They can hold 600 gallons of fuel
In aviation, a drop tank is an auxiliary fuel tank that is attached externally to an aircraft. They are often expendable and can be jettisoned to reduce drag and increase manoeuvrability. Drop tanks are commonly used on military aircraft and occasionally on civilian aircraft, although the latter are only jettisoned in emergencies.
Drop tanks come in a range of sizes, depending on the aircraft and mission requirements. Some drop tanks can hold as little as 66 gallons (300 litres) of fuel, while others can hold up to 1,700 gallons (6,435 litres).
A drop tank with a capacity of 600 gallons is towards the larger end of the spectrum. This size of drop tank would be able to hold up to 4,020 pounds of fuel, assuming a fuel weight of 6.7 pounds per gallon. This weight does not include the weight of the tank itself, which could be around 137.9kg.
The use of a 600-gallon drop tank would provide a significant increase in fuel capacity for an aircraft, allowing for extended range and endurance. However, it would also impose a drag penalty and increase the aircraft's weight, reducing its roll rate for air manoeuvres. As such, the decision to use a drop tank of this size would depend on the specific requirements of the mission and the performance capabilities of the aircraft.
Overall, a 600-gallon drop tank can provide a substantial amount of additional fuel for an aircraft, enabling longer flights and potentially expanding the aircraft's operational capabilities. However, it is important to consider the trade-offs in terms of increased drag and weight when utilising a drop tank of this capacity.
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They are also called wing or belly tanks
In aviation, a drop tank is an external tank carried by an aircraft to supply additional fuel. They are also called wing or belly tanks because they are attached to the wings or belly of the aircraft. Drop tanks are typically used by military aircraft but can also be found on civilian aircraft, although these are rarely discarded except in emergencies.
The use of drop tanks allows aircraft to extend their range and patrol time without needing a larger, heavier fuselage. This was particularly important during World War II, when drop tanks were used to enable fighters to escort bombers on long-range missions. For example, during Operation Vengeance, P-38 fighters used drop tanks to carry out the downing of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's aircraft. Each P-38 carried one drop tank of approximately 570 to 620 litres (150 to 165 US gallons) and a larger one of approximately 1,100 to 1,200 litres (300 to 330 US gallons).
The first drop tanks were designed to be discarded when empty or in the event of combat or emergency to reduce drag, weight, and increase manoeuvrability. Modern external tanks may be retained in combat and are usually only dropped in emergencies. Drop tanks are typically expendable and may not be retrieved or reused after being jettisoned.
The capacity of drop tanks can vary depending on the aircraft and mission requirements. For example, the Mitsubishi A5M used a 300-litre (66 imperial gallon or 79 US gallon) external drop tank, while the Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7 used a 300-litre tank made of impregnated paper, which was a single-use version. Some larger aircraft may use drop tanks with capacities of several hundred gallons, such as the 600-gallon drop tank mentioned in one source, which can hold up to 4,020 pounds of fuel.
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Frequently asked questions
The amount of fuel a drop tank can hold depends on its size. Drop tanks can range in capacity from 150 to 1,700 litres or 300 to 330 US gallons.
Drop tanks are used to provide aircraft with additional fuel for long-range flights without requiring a larger, heavier fuselage. They are also used to increase patrol time and improve manoeuvrability.
Drop tanks impose a drag penalty on the aircraft, increasing the moment of inertia and reducing roll rates for air manoeuvres. Some of the fuel in the drop tank is used to overcome this added drag and weight.
