p-38 drop tank shakles

[bobster]

Hello all.  I have been searching the interweb for details of P-38 drop tanks. In particular, the shakles without the tanks, after the tanks have been jettisoned. The tanks appear to be mounted on a pedestal, that I suppose remained on the wing. The details I am searching for would be the detail of the remaining pedestal.  Any help would be appreciated...thanks.

[Juggernut]

I don’t believe drop tanks used shackles.  I think they were attached directly to the pylon and electrically/manually jettisoned.  

[bobster]

Thanks for reply, Juggernaut.I believe you are correct. Would my thoughts that the pedestal would remain on the wing be correct? Found one picture of tank being installed on the pedestal, but no adequate detail seen of the pedestal itself.

[BiggTim]

Yes, the pedestal remains on the wings. In fact, I believe the gun camera is mounted in one of them, and nothing sticks out of them when empty.

 

 

Tim

Edited March 3, 2020 by BiggTim

[bobster]

There the answer is! Thanks Bigg Tim.

[BiggTim]

[Karl H]

It did have a shackle. In the photo provided by Bigg Tim, it is covered by a fairing. This was used when the shackles were not. Have a photo from a manual but can't seem to post it. Looks like they have changed things yet again. When the lower faring was removed, the shackle was exposed. The upper part of the pylon is, as mentioned, a permanent installation.

 

Edited March 3, 2020 by Karl H

[Karl H]

Yes, but the shackle was exposed when the lower fairing was removed. And that was the question, can it be seen when the tanks have been dropped. Okay, got it to work. This show the pylon with the shackle exposed (lower fairing removed). So this is what it would look like after the bomb or drop tank had been dropped. It also shows the hoist supports for lifting a bomb into place, these obviously would not be exposed during operations.

Sorry it's so dark, I will see if I can find my manual rather than this online version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 3, 2020 by Karl H

[Karl H]

Here is the illustration from the IPC. The fairing (15) is removed when a drop tank or bomb is installed. The shackle is rigidly affixed and the lower portion of it is exposed when the fairing is removed.

 

[bobster]

Just now, bobster said:

 

That appears to be the details I'm after, Karl. Gun camera on port side pylon only ?  This manual appears to be "restricted" by the way !

[Karl H]

This is a far better look at the installation. Again, the hoist supports (18 and 19 from the IPC illustration, normally folded in and covered by panel 6) are shown extended.

 

[Karl H]

Yes, the gun camera is only on the left pylon and that is only on later models. Earlier airplanes had the gun camera in the nose. I can't recall when it was changed, I am sure someone can come up with the exact details if needed.  EDIT: The camera was in the pylon starting with S/N 44-23559.

 

Edited March 3, 2020 by Karl H

[bobster]

Thanks Karl. Very nice, detailed view of what I am looking for.  Am backdating Trumpeter kit to p38g, Miss Virginia,  S/N 43-2264.  This S/N # would indicate likely nose mounted camera. Speaking of cameras, has anyone heard of film of the famous raid?  I assume there was NOT any film, as there was the controversy about the mission afterward.

[LSP_K2]

1 hour ago, bobster said:

Thanks Karl. Very nice, detailed view of what I am looking for.  Am backdating Trumpeter kit to p38g, Miss Virginia,  S/N 43-2264.  This S/N # would indicate likely nose mounted camera. Speaking of cameras, has anyone heard of film of the famous raid?  I assume there was NOT any film, as there was the controversy about the mission afterward.

 

What famous raid?

[Karl H]

"Miss Virginia" was on the mission that killed Yamamoto which has stirred up some controversy over the years. Unwarranted to my way of thinking. I presume that is what he is referring to.