Rabaul Zeros with non-jettison drop tanks

[windhund116]

Read several places where Zeros which raided Guadalcanal from Rabaul had their mid-line drop tanks fixed to the planes. So that the pilots were not able to jettison them. This was done due to the long flight time and need for every drop of fuel to get there and back.

Is this true and how were the tanks fixed to the fuselage?

Thanks!

 

[mjfur]

I have no idea if the above is true or not, but the simplest way to prevent from droping the tank would be to inhibit or manually block the control switch/lever in the cockpit. You would think that a simple Order of "Don't drop tanks unless it's an emergency" would sufffice?

 

[windhund116]

I guess pilots were trained to automatically drop the tanks, at any sign of air-to-air combat or AA fire. Someone on one board said that the IJNAF crews at Rabaul actually welded the tanks onto the planes to prevent accidental jettison.

Not sure if the planes or pilots were so precious and/or there was no possible way to rescue them, if they parachuted down the "Slot."

 

[tyrodtom]

I wonder just where they would have welded it ?
Kind of a crude and hard to undo solution.
When all they would have to do is wire tie the ejection lever, or disconnect it.

 

[windhund116]

I wonder just where they would have welded it ?
Kind of a crude and hard to undo solution.
When all they would have to do is wire tie the ejection lever, or disconnect it.

Dunno. This "welding" suggestion was something posted on one of those crazy WW2 Boards.

The implication was that the dang tanks were in limited supply in Rabaul at the time, as well as their neccessity for the long flight to and from Guadalcanal.

 

[GrauGeist]

The idea of drop tanks "welded" to the aircraft is something new to me. It's not impossible that it happened, but Japanese subordinates would have strictly followed an order to not jettison their tanks regardless of the circumstances.

Would be interesting to see that person's source.

 

[tyrodtom]

They couldn't actually weld the tank to the Zero, the Zero was aluminum, the drop tank was wood.
Maybe a few gallons of JB Weld would do it.

 

[windhund116]

Non-jettison drop tanks?

 

[GrauGeist]

Non-jettison drop tanks?

As Tom just mentioned above and Ryan (post #4 in that forum) mentioned, it would not have been a practical option.

Also, Ryan (again on that forum, post #9) gives a good explanation on the need to refrain from jettisoning the tank.

The OP also seemed unaware that the A6M was designed for a drop tank.
Virtually all IJN types had provisions for external fuel in order to boost their range.

 

[Shinpachi]

Drop tanks were not welded at least.

Source:
Footage: Rabaul Air Corps Intercept B-24s in January, 1944
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoDmXXK5rE8

 

[MiTasol]

Someone on one board said that the IJNAF crews at Rabaul actually welded the tanks onto the planes to prevent accidental jettison.

That claim can be totally discounted as the belly skins of the A6M series aircraft are all made from structural alloy and no structural alloys were weldable during WW2.

The simple way would be to remove a single pivot bolt or pin from somewhere in the linkage between the cockpit and release unit. Equally easy to return to normal

 

[TheMadPenguin]

Drop tanks were not welded at least.

View attachment 609685
Source:
Footage: Rabaul Air Corps Intercept B-24s in January, 1944
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoDmXXK5rE8

Is there a version with English subtitles for us Gaijin?

 

[SaparotRob]

Pretty cool stuff. I'm surprised they filmed the takeoff shot angle showing the wrecked ships in the harbor (about 4:24 mark).

 

[Shinpachi]

Not Youtube but NHK introduces the footage with the narration like this.

"People call it the untouched forest which does not know the axe for thousands years or an unexplored heaven and earth. The battlefield here in New Guinea is literally a jungle.

The struggles of the Imperial heroes day and night are piled up against nature, opening up new areas. Who can think of such a difficult battle? The enemy is based in Port Moresby and is trying to rely on its abundant material power. Prior to categorically destroying this enemy's counterattack, the Imperial Warrior must first win the battle against the jungle. Bamboo plexus with large root stock. A wide variety of vines. Whether you pay or not, it hinders your progress. A mountain hill attacks. Aedes mosquitoes invade. Moreover, it is hot and humid peculiar to the jungle. Water is the most distressing area in these areas. Cutting out the bamboo that hinders the advance, the water tower builds an instant water tower and carries it to the front line comrades. It is precious water.

It is the medic's mission to deport the injured by traversing the pathless road. The more difficult it is to replenish, the more difficult the medic will have. The medics are also in a fierce battle with the terrible chemicals and materials.
The scale of the battle is large, and the appearance of the battle is serious and complicated. We must also pay attention to every front, like the picket guards standing here.

Rabaul, our base on New Britain. It doesn't shake like a hard rock. The enemies landed on the islands of Kwajalein and Luot in the Marshall Islands on February 1. They are also trying to do their best. Didn't they even seek a foothold on the two islands, which were nothing more than a single coral atoll? The landing should be believed that the enemies have besieged Rabaul. The battlefield is serious. But you don't have to be upset at all. We have the eagles of the sea that will crush the enemies' ambitions in the air and shoot them down day by day.

A violent alarm rang. A large formation of bombers and fighters, including the Consolidated B-24. Our airmen immediately run to their fighters. The sea eagles take off with dust and go beyond the sky. Americans hit our hospital ship several times and have no shame but they take the evacuation movement. Taking advantage of the dense clouds by chance, they escape the interception by our fighters and now the enemy formation invade over Rabaul. Ground fire spit fire all at once.

A Consolidated B-24 is shot down with a fire. In addition, another B-24 heads straight toward the abyss. Unable to withstand the slamming attack by our fighters, the North American B25s escape to the ground. Relying on numbers, the enemies rush. Even though it is a fluke, it sometimes causes damage to us.
Enemy fighter, P-40.

All the enemy planes ran away. People at the base wait for the eagles returning one by one with the familiar roaring sound from the shadow of the mountain. A heart of waiting for the eagles. People confirm it today again that it is a harsh, toned and bloody heart. The heroes who came back do not say a word but the big bullet holes tell the story of the fierce battle. "Welcome back" - silent gratitude pervades every corner. At that moment, however, preparation for the next mission is in progress.

The commander announces "All aircraft returned safely. The result of the battle was brilliant. Shot down 69 enemy aircraft."
Suddenly, he delivers an invaluable gift to please the warriors. Now, let's bless the heroes with more aircraft for them too."

Source:
ニュース映像 第１９４号｜NHK 戦争証言アーカイブス

 

[windhund116]

Yeah. At 4:17, Zero without wheel covers. Haven't seen many in action photos, let alone film with Zeros without covers. See this a lot in fixed landing gear IJNAF and IJAAF planes in remote locations.

 

[fubar57]

Interesting stat, 69 victories 0 losses (written below the video in Japanese)

 

[GrauGeist]

Thank you for the translation, Shinpachi-san!!

Yeah. At 4:17, Zero without wheel covers. Haven't seen many in action photos, let alone film with Zeros without covers. See this a lot in fixed landing gear IJNAF and IJAAF planes in remote locations.
View attachment 609727

It was not unusual to see the landing gear covers (or spats on fixed gear types) removed if conditions warranted it.

The Eastern Front is a prime example of this practice.

 

[special ed]

Thank you for the translation. It is always interesting to hear both sides in combat.

 

[nuuumannn]

It was not unusual to see the landing gear covers (or spats on fixed gear types) removed if conditions warranted it.

Yup, this one was captured without wheel covers...

3844 1

Photobucket | RNZAF_Flight_Lieutenant_with_a_Japanese_Mitsubishi_A6M3_Zero._Kara_Bougainville..jpg

 

[GrauGeist]

Some of those islands were pretty bad for mud.
I recall seeing some pix of the early days of Henderson Field before it was built up and it was a nasty mess after a storm.