Warbird Information Exchange

They had underwing tanks on Okinawa in 1952.

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Zane Adams
There I was at 20,000 ft, upside down and out of ammunition.
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Zane - I like that 1952 shot of the F-80 in Okinawa. I think the underwing tip tanks on that aircraft were called the "Misawa" tanks (someone correct me if I'm wrong), and these were typical of the tanks that were on F-80s during most of the Korean War period and gave the Shooting Stars some additional range over the older tanks.

Of the 3 most common type tanks, teardrop, Misawa and the large midwing "T-33" type tanks, these "Misawa" tanks were the best looking (in my opinion) and gave the Korean War F-80C's their classic look.

Jim C.

Jim,

Correct on the name "Misawa tanks" (265 gal each). Some references identify the T-33 centerline style tanks as the "Fletcher tip tanks" (230 gal each). Anyway, some almost useful trivia...

[/quote]
Jim,

Correct on the name "Misawa tanks" (265 gal each). Some references identify the T-33 centerline style tanks as the "Fletcher tip tanks" (230 gal each). Anyway, some almost useful trivia... [/quote]

One man's trivia may be another man's treasure

I have always thought that tip tanks were an integral part of what made the P/F-80, TF-80C/T-33, F-94 series of aircraft the unique and exceptional looking airplanes that they are.

I think that the underwing tip tanks look best on the P-80s and F-80s, and the centerline "fletcher" type tanks look best on the T-33s and F-94s.

Without the tip tanks, these aircraft always seemed "naked" to me and just don't look right.


Jim C.

Jim,

Correct on the name "Misawa tanks" (265 gal each). Some references identify the T-33 centerline style tanks as the "Fletcher tip tanks" (230 gal each). Anyway, some almost useful trivia... [/quote]

One man's trivia may be another man's treasure

I have always thought that tip tanks were an integral part of what made the P/F-80, TF-80C/T-33, F-94 series of aircraft the unique and exceptional looking airplanes that they are.

I think that the underwing tip tanks look best on the P-80s and F-80s, and the centerline "fletcher" type tanks look best on the T-33s and F-94s.

Without the tip tanks, these aircraft always seemed "naked" to me and just don't look right.


Jim C.[/quote]

One man's "naked" may be another man's "clean" as well. Although I like the P-80/T-33 in just about any configuration I think they look especially sleek without any tip tanks at all.

One man's "naked" may be another man's "clean" as well. Although I like the P-80/T-33 in just about any configuration I think they look especially sleek without any tip tanks at all.[/quote]

Chad - I take your point and understand the "sleek." I just really like the look of the straight wing 1950s vintage jet fighters/trainers with tip tanks, whether it be an F-80 or T-33 Shooting Star, F-84 Thunderjet, F-94A/B or F-94C Starfire, F-89 Scorpion, F9F Panther, F2H Banshee, T2V/T-1A Seastar, etc.


Jim C.

Interesting to me that the Planes of Fame P-80 pictured at the beginning of this post, as well as many other airframes (including the B-50 Lucky Lady II), came from the International Flight and Space Museum, the non-profit adjunct museum to the Tallmantz Movieland of the Air. These were all on loan to the museum from the USAF/USN and were transferred to the Air Museum/Planes of Fame when that museum closed in the 1970-80s. I'd be curious as to who the legal owner of this and the other airplanes are...I'd bet they are still USAF/USN aircraft on loan.

If I am not mistaken, Planes of Fame has divested itself of all government-owned (loaned) aircraft. I am not a spokesperson for the museum however, so please take that as hearsay not fact.

I corresponded with the airport manager regarding this airplane. Turns out my P-80 was a T-33 after all. It is T-33 52-09650. It was given to a VFW in "southern Maryland". I'm fairly certain it is the same one outside the VFW in Pocomoke City, Maryland, which is on the Eastern Shore. She was in much nicer shape when she was at the Montgomery County Airpark, but then again, that was 20 years ago!

It's interesting that 52-09651 is also still in existence in Centralia, Illinois.