Could someone please tell me what was the maximum range for the following American aircraft using their internal fuel tanks only? I always wonder how far they without their belly or wing external drop tanks
Thank you
P-38F through P-38L
P-47D and P-47N
P-51A through P-51D
Range for P-51, P-38, and P-47 with internal fuel tanks
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Re: Range for P-51, P-38, and P-47 with internal fuel tanks
Here are some figures for you regarding internal fuel range. Figures are based on best cruise speed @ normal loaded weight, climb out and decent, cruise at 10,000ft in zero wind conditions with no fuel reserves; ie best possible operating conditions.
P-38 Lightning. Internal fuel capacity for the F, G and H models was 300 US gal. The J and L models carried 410 US gal.
P-38F - 590 miles
P-38G - 710 miles
P-38H - 710 miles
P-38J/L - 890 miles
NB: even though the J and L models are the longest legged, according to SOP combat radius is limited to 275 miles. This is based the aircraft loaded at full combat weight, with 20 mins of combat at midpoint (with 5 min at war emergency power and 15 min at Military power) with a 30 min fuel reserve.
P-47 Thunderbolt. Internal fuel capacity for the D1-23( Razerback) was 305 US gal. The D-25 to-40 (bubble canopy) and the hotrod M model carried 370 US gal. The N carried 556 US gal.
P-47D-1 - 570 miles
P-47D-25 - 820 miles
P-47M - 600 miles
P-47N - 1,250 miles
NB: SOP combat radius for the P-47D-25 series was limited to 225 miles. The P-47N was limited to 425 miles. Combat mission profile is based on combat weight, with 5 min fuel for warmup and takeoff, climb to 25,000ft; cruise at 25,000ft; 5 min at combat power, 15 min at military power; return at 25,000ft and afuel reserve of 30 mins at minimum cruise power.
P-51 Mustang. Internal fuel capacity for the P-51A was 180 US gal. The P-51 B/C/D models carried 269 US gal.
P-51A - 800 miles
P-51B/C - 1,200 miles
P-51D - 1,190 miles
NB: SOP combat radius for the P-51D was 450 miles at 10,000ft, or 375 miles at 25,000ft. Conditions take into account those stated above.
Figures are drawn from America's Hundred Thousand.
P-38 Lightning. Internal fuel capacity for the F, G and H models was 300 US gal. The J and L models carried 410 US gal.
P-38F - 590 miles
P-38G - 710 miles
P-38H - 710 miles
P-38J/L - 890 miles
NB: even though the J and L models are the longest legged, according to SOP combat radius is limited to 275 miles. This is based the aircraft loaded at full combat weight, with 20 mins of combat at midpoint (with 5 min at war emergency power and 15 min at Military power) with a 30 min fuel reserve.
P-47 Thunderbolt. Internal fuel capacity for the D1-23( Razerback) was 305 US gal. The D-25 to-40 (bubble canopy) and the hotrod M model carried 370 US gal. The N carried 556 US gal.
P-47D-1 - 570 miles
P-47D-25 - 820 miles
P-47M - 600 miles
P-47N - 1,250 miles
NB: SOP combat radius for the P-47D-25 series was limited to 225 miles. The P-47N was limited to 425 miles. Combat mission profile is based on combat weight, with 5 min fuel for warmup and takeoff, climb to 25,000ft; cruise at 25,000ft; 5 min at combat power, 15 min at military power; return at 25,000ft and afuel reserve of 30 mins at minimum cruise power.
P-51 Mustang. Internal fuel capacity for the P-51A was 180 US gal. The P-51 B/C/D models carried 269 US gal.
P-51A - 800 miles
P-51B/C - 1,200 miles
P-51D - 1,190 miles
NB: SOP combat radius for the P-51D was 450 miles at 10,000ft, or 375 miles at 25,000ft. Conditions take into account those stated above.
Figures are drawn from America's Hundred Thousand.
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