Airplane drop-tank wanted
 

I live near the plant that made WWII Corsair airplanes and I always wanted to do a tribute using a drop-tank that was used on these and Mustangs during the war similar to the So-Cal "lakester" belly tanks that were run on the dry lakes and Bonneville during the late 40's and 50's.

Does anyone know if there are any sources for these old tanks?

During WWII my grandfather flew F4U's (corsairs). He was stateside in his plane and as he was flying over some neighborhood it evidently fell off in some guys backyard. He said it caused quite a commotion.

This wont help you find one but thought it was a good story.

John

Belly tank::

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c..._1918_20921508

Here is a source for a glass replica.
http://www.hotrodssuperstore.com/p38beltanfib.html

Here is a website devoted to LSR racing. There are many links there as well as a classified section.

http://www.landracing.com/index.htm



Hope this helps, mikey

Had to run outside real quick and take these pictures before it got too dark.

As you can see, my neighbor has a belly tank that he plans on building up. As you can also see by the dogs in the pictures, he's serious about keeping it. He won't sell it to me or even reveal his source, but he says that they're still out there for sale. You just have to hunt hard and long to find them. According to him, it took him 4 years to find this one and convince the previous owner to sell it to him.

Good luck in your search.

a guy down here in fl has the newer kevlar ones if thats any help

Thanks. I know about the fiberglass replicas but I still would like to start with a real one.

this are present day drop tanks made of kevlar not a fiberglass replica. good luck with your search

WWII fighters used several different drop tank designs and capacities. Toward the end of the war just about all the drop tanks in use were made of paper and resin composition and had a capacity of around 105 U.S. gallons.

Vince

drop tank
 

i have a ****************** who whants it?

Oh does this bring up a sore subject with me. I had one, an 18' long tank that was even used as a body for a lakester, a flat head powered lakester. I had this thing about 20 years ago and sold it thru Hemmings motor news for $350 or something like that. DAMN I wish I had it now!!!!!!

Brian

drop tank
 

*****************

I want a ride in the plane it came from :D :D

Jeff Foxworthy could have a field day with that photo!!!! :D

A few years back, I spotted this at a UK show - it had been brought over by some guys from Belgium, I think...

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rv/Essex18.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rv/Essex19.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...rv/Essex84.jpg

The is a huge military surplus store/yard NW of Ogden, Utah that would have what you are looking for but I can't remember the name of it. The WWII tanks would be a bit small for what you are are wanting. What would work great would be what is referred to the Supersonic 600 gal Centerline tank (source of Centerline's handle?) for the F4. The standard tank is much more flimsy but would work as well and there should be thousands of those out there if they have not been recycled.

I'll try to locate contact info for the Ogden site.

Trees