p38 lightning belly tank recognition help

camshaw · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:08 pm

Hey wix'rs....I need some help, I found some belly tanks and the old boy who has them told me they were from p38s..My ? is, do any of you folks have some pics and indentifiing marks or ways in which I can substantiate his claim, he wants to sell them and they look in nice shape..do you think they have any collectbility? I think he said he has 6 of them, I didn't get any pics but will when I head out that way again..

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:28 pm

I have a friend that I think would be intereasted in them for a flying P-38L.
Need 1 rack also.

Second Air Force · **Posted:** Sun Jan 24, 2010 11:37 pm

The second photo on this website shows a fiberglas replica P-38 300 gallon tank. http://www.p38-droptank.com/P38-Drop_Tank.html

And for heavens sake, don't let Django drop a flathead in those originals! :lol:

Scott

Rogue · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 11:39 am

Second Air Force wrote:

And for heavens sake, don't let Django drop a flathead in those originals! :lol:

Scott

51fixer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 12:26 pm

camshaw wrote:

Hey wix'rs....I need some help, I found some belly tanks and the old boy who has them told me they were from p38s..My ? is, do any of you folks have some pics and indentifiing marks or ways in which I can substantiate his claim, he wants to sell them and they look in nice shape..do you think they have any collectbility? I think he said he has 6 of them, I didn't get any pics but will when I head out that way again..

P-38 tank will have a recessed connection area where it interfaces with the pylon and shackle.
The 2 hooks that the shackle grabs on down in the recessed area rather than on the surface as with most tanks or bombs.
Along both sides close to being in line with a hook will be a heavy duty flat metal piece. I believe the top edge will be angled. This is the sway brace and is pulled up hard against the pylon when the shackle is tightened up when the tank is installed.
I think these tanks can be installed on Corsairs as well.
Rich

The Inspector · **Posted:** Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:27 pm

I've wondered why someone hasn't tried an old B-52 area ruled tip tank as a Lakes car instead of a P-38 300 gallon tank?

Django · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:28 pm

Second Air Force wrote:

And for heavens sake, don't let Django drop a flathead in those originals! :lol:

Scott

Who, me?

Although there is a hot rodded V-8 60 in the back of the shop begging to turn it's crank in anger once again... :lol:

Joe Scheil · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:45 pm

The Inspector wrote:

I've wondered why someone hasn't tried an old B-52 area ruled tip tank as a Lakes car instead of a P-38 300 gallon tank?

The P-38 tank has the most pleasing shape...and is nostalgic. Also a B-52 tank sounds a bit big...Remember this is about going fast.

Django · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 12:48 pm

The Inspector wrote:

I've wondered why someone hasn't tried an old B-52 area ruled tip tank as a Lakes car instead of a P-38 300 gallon tank?

Because they didn't have B-52 tanks in 1948.

I know of at least one built in the last few years, by Jesse James for Monster Garage. There are probably others, but I'm not aware of them. If you just want to go fast in a belly tank, and meet all the modern tech specs, they would be a great choice. If you want any kind of nostalgia at all, it just would not cut it.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:04 pm

Joe S;
Ever been next to the Summers Bros. 4 hemi LSR car, the Golden Arrow? or Mickey Thompsons CHALLENGER with 4 Pontiacs? Those are big cars.

Django-build a lakes roadster or track roadster, that little 139 flattie would be perfect and with all the new speed equipment available---------- :wink:

Django · **Posted:** Tue Jan 26, 2010 2:38 pm

It would be good in a little T for sure. Fortunately, it still has it's VINTAGE speed equipment still intact!

Warbird Information Exchange

p38 lightning belly tank recognition help

Who is online