P-51B/C/D fuselage fuel tank baffles. Yes or no?

[Steve_C]

Does anyone know if the fuselage fuel tank in the P-51B/C/D had baffling to prevent sloshing of the fuel? Particularly the very early tanks that were added to the P-51B-1 and B-5 models as a field modification? The document from the test flights on the prototype tank says that it had no baffling, but it was understood that the production models would. I can't find any definitive information as to whether the production models did have the baffling or not. Thanks.

 

[NZTyphoon]

Yes, the production fuselage auxiliary fuel tank had a baffle: here's the relevant page from the P-51D/K Erection and Maintenance Manual: the same illustration was in the corresponding B/C E & M manual. It makes sense for the fuel tank to be baffled, because the B thru Ks were already at their cg limits with the fuel tank filled; without baffling, fuel sloshing back and forth would have made them uncontrollable for the average front line pilot..

As it is, pilots were warned to take extreme care when flying with a full fuselage auxiliary tank:

 

[Steve_C]

Yes, the production fuselage auxiliary fuel tank had a baffle: here's the relevant page from the P-51D/K Erection and Maintenance Manual: the same illustration was in the corresponding B/C E & M manual. It makes sense for the fuel tank to be baffled, because the B thru Ks were already at their cg limits with the fuel tank filled; without baffling, fuel sloshing back and forth would have made them uncontrollable for the average front line pilot..View attachment 863443

As it is, pilots were warned to take extreme care when flying with a full fuselage auxiliary tank:

View attachment 863444

Thanks a ton! Even the cutaway drawing with the baffle right there! Nice.