French AD-4NA Skyraider in 1/72 - Tank Help

[Guest]

Hi all!

An appeal for help as I am failing with Google etc...

I am tackling a French AD-4NA and one feature I want is a correct 300-gal drop tank. The French used a pressed steel model that had a horizontal seam, unlike the standard 300-gal type used by the Americans. It is also a little more dumpy. My problem is that I can't find any references to it and certainly no thoughts as to the best source if I was to scratch build from another kit.

I'd welcome your wealth of knowledge and guidance. Thanks.

Martin

[Guest]

Hi all!An appeal for help as I am failing with Google etc...

I am tackling a French AD-4NA and one feature I want is a correct 300-gal drop tank. The French used a pressed steel model that had a horizontal seam, unlike the standard 300-gal type used by the Americans. It is also a little more dumpy. My problem is that I can't find any references to it and certainly no thoughts as to the best source if I was to scratch build from another kit.

I'd welcome your wealth of knowledge and guidance. Thanks.

Martin

I think this is the correct type, a WW2 (1943) tank but what carried it?

[yak face]

Cant really see the shape from the pic martin, but i know the P38 lightning carried 300 gal tanks sometimes , whether these are the ones I dont know. If you can get a pic of the shape and the dimensions then i'm sure someone (maybe me) has got something like in the spares box , cheers tony

[Guest]

Cant really see the shape from the pic martin, but i know the P38 lightning carried 300 gal tanks sometimes , whether these are the ones I dont know. If you can get a pic of the shape and the dimensions then i'm sure someone (maybe me) has got something like in the spares box , cheers tony

Thanks, Tony. I think it is a Douglas Aero 1D 300-gal tank. However, I've seen various images f them, both with the seam and minus fin, and without both! I'm confused!

[yak face]

Hi martin , ive been searching and I think the aero 1d 300 gal was used on the A4 skyhawk too , sometimes with 2 fins sometimes 4 , so i suppose a finless version wouldnt be unusual either. The new tool airfix A4 skyhawk has 3 drop tanks so maybe if you got one of these and used them, you might have to make your own seam round the edge and cut off the fins or just use them as is. Its quite a big tank at 18 and a bit foot (i found a good drawing on here - http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1312050672/A-1+Skyraider+%28late%29+drop+tank+Q+for+Adam+%28or+ anyone%29 ) hope this is of some use , cheers tony

[Guest]

Hi martin , ive been searching and I think the aero 1d 300 gal was used on the A4 skyhawk too , sometimes with 2 fins sometimes 4 , so i suppose a finless version wouldnt be unusual either. The new tool airfix A4 skyhawk has 3 drop tanks so maybe if you got one of these and used them, you might have to make your own seam round the edge and cut off the fins or just use them as is. Its quite a big tank at 18 and a bit foot (i found a good drawing on here - http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1312050672/A-1 Skyraider (late) drop tank Q for Adam (or anyone) ) hope this is of some use , cheers tony

Hi Tony,

You are correct, the A-4 used the Aero tanks. However these, like those used by American Skyraiders, were a different shape and lacked the horizontal seam. It has been suggested to me that the F8F carried the tank I'm seeking but I'm not yet convinced. I have, however, bought a Monogram F8F that I'm assured has this. Again, I'm not convinced. Aside from this I've calculated that a 1/48 150-gallon tank from a Bearcat would be about the right dimensions for a 300-gallon 1/72 type. So, I'm on the hunt for a 1/48 Bearcat on the cheap!

Thanks again.

M

[Guest]

Hi Tony,You are correct, the A-4 used the Aero tanks. However these, like those used by American Skyraiders, were a different shape and lacked the horizontal seam. It has been suggested to me that the F8F carried the tank I'm seeking but I'm not yet convinced. I have, however, bought a Monogram F8F that I'm assured has this. Again, I'm not convinced. Aside from this I've calculated that a 1/48 150-gallon tank from a Bearcat would be about the right dimensions for a 300-gallon 1/72 type. So, I'm on the hunt for a 1/48 Bearcat on the cheap!

Thanks again.

M

I meant to add that the F4U-4 also used the 150-gallon type and so my theory would hold for that too!

[rickoshea52]

If you decide that you need drop tanks from the Airfix A4 Skyhawk let me know - you can have the pair I didn't use and they are even painted and assembled!

[Guest]

Thanks Rick. I did actually buy a pair of "bob-tail" A-4 tanks from Freightdogs Models but then discovered that these aren't correct. The ones I need are quite different and have a horizontal seam around them. I'm pinning my hopes on a 1/48 150-gal tank from a Bearcat which I think will work. I'll see once I receive it!

BRgds, Martin

www.fromthelens.co.uk

[Guest]

I meant to add that the F4U-4 also used the 150-gallon type and so my theory would hold for that too!

Sadly the 1/48 F8F tank seems slightly too large! Not sure what to do now!

[Guest]

Hi Rick and Tony!

An update. I eventually managed to fashion a 300 gallon Mk.8 tank from a F-84G under-wing tank. Despite being of 265-gallon capacity the size and shape is perfect. The main job to do is to remove the flange around the tank which is very thick and heavy. Filling is also needed to smooth out the light installation in the F-84 tank. Once done a seam was added using some 0.5mm square section Plastruct.

The build is coming along now and I'll post a photo at some point. The next big job is to mark out the side access doors. I have managed to get a air scoop for the top of the fuselage using a 1/48 AN-2 scoop from Aires.cz.

Martin