B-17G Fuel Cells

[Pooner]

Anybody interested in a full set of wingtip fuel tanks as removed from a B-17 G?

I've got a set of them here that quite frankly I am growing weary of moving around. I've done it three times in the last year and want to make it a fourth and final. This is a set of outboard wing fuel cells - often referred to as "Tokyo Tanks." There are 7 Left and 7 Right tanks for a total count of 14. All are spring 1945 dated and in good to fair condition.

These tanks were removed from a museum's B-17 G aircraft here in Mesa, AZ, at least a decade ago when the wing spar AD was done. They had been inside the wings since she rolled off the factory floor - just like a little 1945 time capsule. Once the wings came off, it became apparent that they would not use them again. The museum did not want to re-install these tanks for whatever reason, and they stayed outside for several months until I acquired them from the shop that did the spar work. I got tired of seeing them sit in the Arizona sun and watching them get dirty and sag. Obviously the shop saw an opportunity to be rid of them and two truckloads later they were in my hangar.

Some of the interconnection hardware and access plates were robbed from the Tokyo Tanks, but if I recall correctly there are at least three of them that still retain the original Boeing fuel caps and fillers (I think each wing panel had two separate fuel caps... been awhile since I've looked at them).

Average tank weight is 85 pounds. That's EACH, folks. BF Goodrich rubber is still nice and pliable and markings are fresh. Tanks have been stacked on top of one another so they have sagged in the middle, but the rubber isn't cracking or overly compromised. They're dusty, but have been indoor stored in either my hangar or storage building as long as I have had them.

Staggered sizes and varied capacity and each are marked to identify L and R wing. I have no idea if they are airworthy or the last time they held fuel. Obviously the cost of fuel and the lack of need for the additional capacity that these tanks provided was the determining factor as to why the museum opted to "ditch" these tanks years ago. Still, a neat little bit of Boeing history.

I will not split up the set or part with a tank here or there, nor will I part with just the fuel caps (like I said, I've moved these damn things around as a set long enough and that's the way they'll stay!). Will assist loading them on a pallette or two for truck shipping from Mesa, AZ to where ever you are.

Make a reasonable offer or offer up trade bait for our Lockheed PV-2 "Harpoon" projects and they're yours. If there's interest I can take a shot or two of the tank markings and an overall shot for the "wall of fuel cells" picture.

PM me for more details.

[hang the expense]

Hi Pooner,Welcome to Aerovintage.How goes your POON?I will see if SG is interested.

[hang the expense]

Hey pooner,The guy says he will pass.Thank you for the post.