Solomons-based Corsairs - open cockpit flying?

[chicoartist]

The -1s and -1As had built-in (internal) wing tanks of around 60 gallons - one in each wing. They were located just forward of and outboard of the gun bays. Look carefully at your refs - you can see the raised "handle" for the filler cap on both wings. So, the -1s and -1As had built-in fuselage and wing tanks, there being no provision for "drop tanks", as you know.

The -1D, IIRC (not sure about the -1C at the moment -- not near my refs) did away with the built-in/internal wing tanks; the -1D introduced the wing pylons. I can only assume that they figured that they didn't need provision for drop tanks AND built-in wing tanks.

I'm still trying to find a diagram of the actual size/shape/width of the -1s integral wing tanks ... I see the caps, and I see the tape sometimes covering seams like on the fuselage tank, but the caps are located outside (inboard, IIRC) of the taped seams ... not that it matters to my art (I'm not BUILDING a real Corsair!), but I do get curious about such things!

Wade