Sat May 12, 2001 11:40 pm
Guys,
The external fuel tanks on B-47s were huge, perhaps 2,000 US Gal. For some years, late 1950s to early 1960s, they were painted dayglo red. I assumed this was becuase of the increase in first-generation jet airliner traffic at altitudes where the B-47 operated.
Once I saw a wonderful 16mm film presented by a B-47 driver that showed the exceedingly complex means by which the external tank was jettisoned. Instead of the common practice of using explosive cartridges to seperate the tank from the pylon, a small parachute deployed from the back of the tank (or thereabouts) and smoothly pulled the tank off the pylon!
I may still have a series of B&W closeups I took of operational B-47s. If you are interested in seeing these, let me know and I'll try to upload them.
TomH