Just curious about the P-51 FM

[Bearcat]

Originally Posted by MiloMorai

The fuselage tank was used first as this is what caused the tail heaviness. Then the drop tanks as the wing tanks were required to get home.

Originally Posted by Mustang

No!
You have the main fuel tanks inside the wings




It all depends on the distance of the mission..
Maybe you need keep full the 85 gallons fuel tank behind the pilot on fight in order to get home.

Generally what they did was use drop tanks first then use up about 1/2 - 2/3 of the fuel in the fuselage tank then they would alternate between wing tanks to make sure the aircraft was balanced. From what I was told by P-51 pilots in the chapter of TAI that I belonged to they kept that fuel for a reserve and once it got past @ 45 gallons it was less unstable.. but they then went for the wing tanks.