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US 75 Gal Drop Tank Set

Brengun, 1/32 scale

S u m m a r y :

Catalogue Number:

Brengun Item No. BRL32046 - US 75 Gal Drop Tank Set

Scale:

1/32

Contents & Media

Six grey resin parts; one nickel plated photo-etched fret with three parts; decals; instructions.

Price:

Euro 13.07 plus shipping available online from Brengun

 

and specialist hobby retailers worldwide

Click here for currency converter.

Review Type:

First Look.

Advantages:

Well cast; versatile subject; effective use of multimedia; decals included.

Disadvantages:

None noted.

Conclusion:

Recommended to any modeller who wants to add drop tanks to their large scale US WWII fighters..

Reviewed by Brett Green

FirstLook

 

A drop tank (external tank, wing tank or belly tank) is used to describe auxiliary fuel tanks externally carried by aircraft. A drop tank is expendable and often capable of being jettisoned.

The primary disadvantage of drop tanks is that they impose a drag penalty on the aircraft. External fuel tanks will also increase the moment of inertia, thereby reducing roll rates for air manoeuvres.

Some of the drop tank's fuel is used to overcome the added drag and weight of the tank. Drag in this sense varies with the square of the aircraft's speed.

The use of drop tanks also reduces the number of external hardpoints available for weapons, and reduces weapon-carrying capacity.

Drop tanks and range extension plans were widely implemented in 1944 for American escort fighters.

External drop tanks turned the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt from a short-range interceptor aircraft into a long-range escort and air superiority fighter, enabling it to accompany bombers from the British Isles into Germany and made it possible for heavy bomber formations to undertake daylight raids under escort by North American P-51 Mustangs. The P-38 could also carry two 300-to-330-US-gallon (1,100 to 1,200 L) drop tanks for its longest sorties.*

 

 

Brengun has now produced a set of two 1/32 scale US 75 gallon drop tanks. These were commonly fitted to P-40 Warhawk and P-51 Mustangs, amongst other US fighter aircraft.

The bodies of the drop tanks are cast in grey coloured resin. The raised centreline seam is really well done, but you will need to take care removing the casting strips from the front of the drop tank body.

 

 

Shackles are smaller resin parts - two per tank.

 

 

Separate filler caps are supplied in nickel-plated photo-etch.

 

 

Another nice touch is the inclusion of decals. These provide red rings and labels (including capacity in Imperial gallons), as well as black stencil panels.

 

 

Recommended to any modeller who wants to add drop tanks to their US WWII project.

* Description courtesy of Wikipedia

Thanks to Brengun for the review sample.


Review Text and Images Copyright © 2023 Brett Green
Page Created 27 February, 2023
Last updated 27 February, 2023

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