P-80 USAAC

[The Rat]

This build reminds me of a question: why didn't more WWII piston-engined fighters utilize wingtip tanks?  I always thought that would free up more pylons on the wings for ordnance and/or more fuel.

Better than that, it actually increased the P-80's speed and handling. That makes me suspect that it was simply a case of nobody thinking of it, because otherwise it would have caught on like wildfire.

[Caveman]

ok, speed i can sort of get my head around, the extra drag of the tanks being offset by a them disrupting the wing tip vortices... but handling?

Surely not roll rate as the tips tanks would massively increase the roll inertia. Maybe they are behind the cg and they shift the balance slightly towards the unstable side. Not totally convinced though.

Any one else with an explanation?

[philp]

Nice job Ed.
I have one of these reserved for a Tuskegee Airmen scheme.