Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Hagle347
Look at the North today I send you a smoke signal!

Cubes
I have friends in the RCAF and the F18 pilots tell me the same story.
But in F18 is possible to drop the tank in flight!!!
I want to go fast so external tank equal more drag...
I lost around 5mph????
True????

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Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

I have not flown with one on a Thorp, but I would guess that would be right. When Tom Hunter first came up with that idea, I told him to build a conformal belly tank like a Caravan has for baggage. He thought these were better looking. Beauty is in the eye....
Cubes

External fuel in tanks I can not jettision does not appeal to me , especially right after TO .

RB

The external tanks have a certain appeal, just imagine a squadron of Thorps with external tanks peeling off into a strafing run with propane powered pop guns firing at a Van's home coming, now that would be a beautiful sight. BOOM, BOOM, BOOM

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Bruce Finney
N18JF T-18C #262
Yelm, WA USA

Oh hell ya! Bent wing Thorp PANZER KNACKERS! Don't forget the 37 MM cannons.

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Ill put in a few cents here. I agree, the least of the options is the drop tank idea. That being said, were not taking about an F4 or an F18 where at least in the F4's case it's carrying 2/3 the capacity of the main on the wings. Each of those drop tanks carry 5.5 gallons (ok close to 6) I used to run each down and feel minimal affect on roll trim .. In fact for a while I flew around with one full to counterbalance an out of trim situation. No aero and they are fine ... Me I'm a wing tank guy in the end though!

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

My main concern would be after TO, Engine failure and have to put the AC down in the weeds with full fuel in those "drop tanks ." If the gear folds you might have a problem with a ruptured external tank . BOOM !

RB

The tanks would depart .. Without a doubt. One could make the same argument for wing tanks yet we all fly with them.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Those drop tanks are foam and fiberglass .. Not aluminum.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Guy's

Forgot the external tank.
I found more interesting gadget to put under the wing!

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Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Yep, just might have to have a couple of those before too much longer.......Dan

Thats what I'm talkin about

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Hagle 347.
I really want to do this phone call but I don't take the time to doing that correctly .
I try to do my best next time .


Just a quick question Thorp owner!
Take no consideration about the cost or the modification time on your T-18 please.

With the standard inboard fuel (29 gallons) do you feel comfortable to install and flew your T-18 with external fuel tank ?

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Thierry
French Canadian T-18
C-FPVE #091

Thierry,
I've had the external tanks and had no problems with them as far as the airplane is concerned it did not notice them. That being said, that's sort of a mute point as Tom is not really in the thorp business anymore. There are several aux tank options, my personal favorite is wet wings.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD