Greg of Auto and Airplanes has asked for a Debate
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drgondog
Major
That commandment went to burn pile.
Arnold's Technical Order to Wright Field following his Fighter Conference of Feb 22, 1942 was to "Increase Range of Fighter, Dive Bomber and Attack Aircraft". General Chidlaw CO of Wright Field issued a parallel instruction "to develop sefl sealing auxiliary combat tanks for Fighter, Dive Bomber and Attack Aircraft'.
Major General Muir Fairchild chaired the Fighter Airplane Range Extension Program (FAREP) in mid July 1942 which jolted the primary aircraft contractors to increase Fighter, Dive Bomber and Attack Aircraft range via both auxiliary tanks and increased internal fuel fraction.
In May/June 1943 General Arnold told his Deputy MG Barney Chiles to have a fighter capable of escorting the bombers to the target by January 1, 1944.
at the same time Giles applied heavy pressure on NAA, Republic and Lockheed to design and implement via kit and future production break, existing fighter aircraft (P-38H, P-51B, P-47C) with internal fuel capacity of '200 extra gallons'.
Lockheed and NAA had prototypes with 110gal and 85 gal flying by mid July. It took Republic from June to November to tear a P-47C apart from aft cockpit bulhead to the engine firewall to create 65 extra gallons on main tank with no hope of a 'kit'. The resulting production dates for first P-51B-10 (with 85gal tank installed in production) was first week of December 1943, ditto for 55gal LE tanks on P-38J-10. The first P-47D-25 emerged in April 1944 (EDIT - emerged from BAD1 Burtonwood in very late April, ready for ETO ops - as Geoffrey pointed out the first delivery at Farmingdale was February).
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I knew some but not all of that. My point was a general one. Arnold was at West Point when the Wright brothers first flew. He had seen the incredible growth of aviation from the start. Any instruction in the aviation world in the 1930s when the USA wasnt involved in any war was valid until technology or politics meant it wasnt.
Geoffrey Sinclair
Staff Sergeant
- 932
- Sep 30, 2021
USAAF Delivery Logs
First two P-38J-10 accepted on 16 November 1943, 42-67404 and 406 (42-67402 was on 17 November)
First P-47D-25 accepted on 12 February 1944, 42-26389, next two on 15 March (390 and 394), 6 accepted and 5 delivered by end March. (block number added)
First P-51B accepted on 6 December 1943, 43-7113, delivered 29 December, next three accepted on 27 December (7114, 7115, 7118), 12 of the first 22 P-51B sent to modification centres, becoming available late January or early February 1944. P-51B-10 serials 42-106429 on acceptances began on 8 January 1944.
First two P-38J-10 accepted on 16 November 1943, 42-67404 and 406 (42-67402 was on 17 November)
First P-47D-25 accepted on 12 February 1944, 42-26389, next two on 15 March (390 and 394), 6 accepted and 5 delivered by end March. (block number added)
First P-51B accepted on 6 December 1943, 43-7113, delivered 29 December, next three accepted on 27 December (7114, 7115, 7118), 12 of the first 22 P-51B sent to modification centres, becoming available late January or early February 1944. P-51B-10 serials 42-106429 on acceptances began on 8 January 1944.
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drgondog
Major
Thx Geoffrey - I was dealing with swiss cheese memory and a Mat.Cmd memo stating 'estimated' delivery date - but written in September 1943.
The first record I have of emerging from BAD1 and arrival at 56th FG of P-47D-25 was in May 1944. Reference Randall's ORB.
From Lockheed Dwg 249508 Final Assem. Model P-38J and the sub assemblies - 150 LEt ank kits were dispatched for the P-38J-5 in theatre before the J-10.
The first P-51B-5 for installation of 85gal kit went to Buffalo late October, emerged fully equipped as B-7 on or about November 29 1943. All P-51B-1s were delivered and 'gone' before kits were available for US Depots. The first and subs P-51B-1s arriving in ETO went to BAD2 in November for 85gal kit instl. The B-5 serial for 1st arrival at Buffalo Mod Cntr was circa 43-6415 (memory - have to research). The B-10 43-7113 had every previous mod (85gal tank, radio shelf, relocation IFF, aux tank pressurization, fuel selector switch installed, increased O2 supply) incorportaed as production article. None of B-10s went to mod center for 85 gal tank, but some went to mod centers to Remove tank for F-6 conversion and radio exchange for CBI ops.
Peter Gunn
Master Sergeant
Much like the Michigan v ohio state games, I look foreword to this with great anticipation. GO BLUE... er... GO BILL!
Clayton Magnet
Staff Sergeant
- 903
- Feb 16, 2013
No further replies to my post, but this reply to a previous post made me laugh.
drgondog
Major
Greg and I had a dry run Saturday. Pretty interesting convo - believe he will hang hat on SWP P-47 Balikpapan mission.
I need a drawing/illustrationof a B-7 rack if someone can help.
I need a drawing/illustrationof a B-7 rack if someone can help.
DarrenW
Staff Sergeant
Hi Bill here is what I found. Hope it helps. Link to website of origin included.
B-7 BOMB SHACKLE - 14" SPACING from War Relic Replicas
B-7 BOMB SHACKLE - 14 SPACING World War II Load capacity 100-1100 lbs. Dimensions: Length (in): 16.00 Width (in): 0.625 Height (in): 4.125 Weight (lbs): 5.00 These bomb shackles are old and in an unknown condition. Some move freely and some need reconditioning or full restoration.
warrelicreplicas.storenvy.com
drgondog
Major
Darren - thx. I have that but was looking for one actually attached to a P-47... but thx again.Hi Bill here is what I found. Hope it helps. Link to website of origin included.
View attachment 774203
View attachment 774204
B-7 BOMB SHACKLE - 14" SPACING from War Relic Replicas
B-7 BOMB SHACKLE - 14 SPACING World War II Load capacity 100-1100 lbs. Dimensions: Length (in): 16.00 Width (in): 0.625 Height (in): 4.125 Weight (lbs): 5.00 These bomb shackles are old and in an unknown condition. Some move freely and some need reconditioning or full restoration.warrelicreplicas.storenvy.com
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Don't know if this will help Bill.
Not very detailed, but best I can find at the moment. (pic from my HD files, original source not confirmed).
Not very detailed, but best I can find at the moment. (pic from my HD files, original source not confirmed).
ThomasP
Senior Master Sergeant
Is this the right rack/shackle? Lower left pic.
"https://www.super-hobby.co.uk/zdjecia/0/3/9/56468_2_MMP-BIG005_9.jpg"
Also
"https://www.super-hobby.co.uk/zdjecia/0/3/9/56468_2_MMP-BIG005_9.jpg"
Also
Clayton Magnet
Staff Sergeant
- 903
- Feb 16, 2013
DarrenW
Staff Sergeant
Ah ok...to add to what others have posted here's the B-7 shackle mounted inside the belly of the Thunderbolt with the sway braces and fuel line included. If you look closely you can see the suspension hooks.
Picture is from Britmodeller website but unfortunately has no attribution to the original source.
Random P-47 Questions
Hi folks, I'm in the process of building this P-47D: I noted the very small centerline tank (75 gal?). Was this the standard 75 aluminum tank as used by P-51's or something else? Does anyone have details on the brackets / fuel lines? Assume unpainted aluminum? Also, does anyone happen to have a p...
www.britmodeller.com
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SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I am always impressed by the scope of knowledge of the Forum.
drgondog
Major
Outstanding image Darren - thxAh ok...to add to what others have posted here's the B-7 shackle mounted inside the belly of the Thunderbolt with the sway braces and fuel line included. If you look closely you can see the suspension hooks.
Picture is from Britmodeller website but unfortunately has no attribution to the original source.
View attachment 774297Random P-47 Questions
Hi folks, I'm in the process of building this P-47D: I noted the very small centerline tank (75 gal?). Was this the standard 75 aluminum tank as used by P-51's or something else? Does anyone have details on the brackets / fuel lines? Assume unpainted aluminum? Also, does anyone happen to have a p...
Clayton Magnet
Staff Sergeant
- 903
- Feb 16, 2013
I so wish I could watch this live.
drgondog
Major
My wife broke her right hip and clavicle April 7th. Now in intense Rehab.
fubar57
General
Sorry to hear that Bill. I wish her a speedy recovery
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