[stephen f. polyak]

The last thing wanted is engine exhaust directed at a fuel tank. One may conclude that the rectangular pipes ("extenders") served to redirect the exhaust and increase separation between the discharge end (releasing hot gas and occasional flame) and the tank (containing fuel in vapor and liquid state). Maybe they also considered a bullet hitting the tank causing release of fuel; that is another reason to increase separation. Perhaps this item was a field installed modification coming from lessons learned through operational use.