Fw 190 "Drop" tanks - when/if dropped??

[chicoartist]

Hi guys,

I'm working on a couple of paintings featuring JG 1 Fw 190 A-6s. A smaller painting will show an Fw taxiing out with the drop tank in place, and the second, larger, piece will show a plane attacking B-17s.

Question is this: in my research, I've found a few Fw 190 pictures taken just after the pilot shut down the engine. The caption for one shot specifically mentions that the pilot has just returned from shooting down a B-24 - the drop tank remains in place.

Was this a common practice? Any insights into Luftwaffe practices in this regard will be much appreciated.

Wade