B-7 Kits installed on P-47s when, in SWP
 

B-7 kits were installed on ETO based P-47C and very early D-2s circa last week of August, 1943.

What about 348FG in New Guinea? When were first 200gal Brisbane tanks operational? Were they intially installed on P-47C four point attach points for Republic P-47C or wait for B-7 rack/sway brace kits?

Thanks in advance,

Bill Marshall

Re: B-7 Kits installed on P-47s when, in SWP
 

Hi Bill. The earliest 348th I've seen with this tank is Sept. 43 at Port Moresby; I think they may have been in use early in the month.

There is a nice photo of an original on here showing the braces.
Nick

https://checksixblog.wordpress.com/2.../16/drop-tank/

Re: B-7 Kits installed on P-47s when, in SWP
 

Thank you Nick.

The 200gal Brisbane tank shown has attach points and sway brace scheme suitable for mounting on P-47 prior to B-7 kits and D-5 factory inclusion of the B-7?

Regards,

Bill

Re: B-7 Kits installed on P-47s when, in SWP
 

Bill I thought the B-7 fitting was introduced with D-6 but the P-47 manual says it was to be installed on D-5 up to D-15 (replaced by B-10 after). I think it was sometime DURING the -5 block as 4FG stood down on 22 and 24 August 1943 to have them fitted; they had a new D-5 (42-8644) back in May, no shackles. Similarly one at Farmingdale in June 43.

The August date is about the time the 348FG on NG were getting the first "Brisbane" tanks with fabricated attachments on their D-2s and -4s. The flat tanks were more suitable for the rough fields there.


Nick

Re: B-7 Kits installed on P-47s when, in SWP
 

Nick - 'Install' has interesting variations. My sources are primarily Bodie,Freeman and the RepublicManuals - but important comments found in Zemke, as Told by Roger Freeman. Zemke very specific about end of August.

What I beleve to be true is that 4th, 56th and 353rd received most of the C-2 through C-5 deliveries, tapering off with 353rd, and 352nd and 355th - when the D-2/-4s began arriving. None had the B-7 rack as delivered from factory. All had the B-7 centerline rack kits were installed as kits beginning in very late August. For the C-s, the keel was also added.

I don't know whether local Service Group or Fighter Group level techs were required but don't believe the C's were modified at BAD1

The B-7 production article began with D-5-RE if my sources are correct.

As for SWP, while some C's were in country, most of the deliveries to 348 were D-2s, with same factory attach suitable to the 200gal Ferry tank - which was quickly discarded by Kenney in favor of the Brisbane tank - with better, but compatible mount scheme - not compatible with B-7 type 52 and 60gal tanks alread in-theatre for P-39/-40, or future steel 108gal/150gal tanks from US.

The B-10 has same eject mechanism, and same 14" between attach centers, but I believe to be for both the P-38 and P-47 Pylons. I also believe that while the P-38 pylon rack looks very much like the B-10, that there were factory mods - particularly sway braces.

Thank you again for your link.

Bill