Air Ed for Adding External Drop Tanks?

Devildog73

SOH Staff
Staff member
I know that there was a thread on this months back but my search of the forum did not turn it up for me.

How do I edit the air file to add 300 gal drop tanks into Copley's P-38J which I need to convert to L model?

There is actually a 308 gal P-47 drop tank that I want to use, I tried adding it to the dp file for DCC-P-38J and it shows just fine on the aircraft, but it causes my MB to say that files are corrupt or missing and I need to reload the program, so while it shows in the sim, it makes it so that I cannot build anymore missions. It also doesn't increase my range since the tanks are not listed in the air file. I have modified the air file main fuel tanks to accurately show the increased wing and main tanks capacities, but I need the 300 gal per drop tanks for the missions I am now building. They are over 1,000 miles each way with dogfights over target areas. Charles Lindbergh taught General Kenney's fighter pilots how to really increase fuel economy the summer of 1944, making 2,000+ mile round trips possible for P-38s. But they had to add 2X300 gal external drop tanks to do it. They also had 2X135 gal wingtip tanks added in each wing where the oil and antifreeze radiators were in the F-G-H models, but were moved under the prop shaft on the J-L models. It gave them 670 gallons in normal configuration and 1270 gallons in the long range configuration.

HELP! Without turning on the unlimited fuel in the sim, (not realistic), I cannot make it to the battles and back with current P-38J configuration in the air and dp files.
 
Reply...

Devildog73,

Good to see you again, buddy! In AirEd, you want to look and see if sections 534 and 535 are present. (If not, you have to open another airfile, copy the section to the clipboard, and then "add from clipboard" to the airfile you're trying to modify)

If the entries are there, open the airfile and check to make sure the fuel capacity is what you want it to be. This should allow you the "legs" to complete your "hops."

Here are a couple of pics to explain the process...
 
Thanks Rami, no, they are not in the air files.
I will start opening others and see if I can find one with them in it.

I am on leave this week so should be able to get some missions finished up.
 
Reply..

Devildog,

What version of Air Ed are you using? I'm using 1.52
 
drop tanks

devil,

I always copy the entries from the stock P-38 (534 and 535) and paste them into the airfile in question. Then I open them, left cklick on fuel capacity, change the digits to the capacity I need and hit ENTER. Dont' t forget to accept the changes.

Cheers

Achim
 
You don't need to recreate these planes, DD!!! It's already done.

Download the 9th Fighter Squadron 49th Fighter Group campaign. The converted Copley P-38J and P-38L are already in the package, with the dp files having 308 gallon tanks, (including the pylon sway braces). They also include the aircraft config and air files you will need to get the range you need. Though they are also necessary, just adding the tanks doesn't get you there.

The Stock P-38F converted to P-38H is also in the package with added wing pylons and tanks.

The correct 165 and 308 gallon drop tanks are included from KM's P-47s.

I fought these files for many, many days to get it all to work together, so you may as well take advantage and use your time to build more missions. :jump:

View attachment 20618
 
You don't need to recreate these planes, DD!!! It's already done.

Download the 9th Fighter Squadron 49th Fighter Group campaign. The converted Copley P-38J and P-38L are already in the package, with the dp files having 308 gallon tanks, (including the pylon sway braces). They also include the aircraft config and air files you will need to get the range you need. Though they are also necessary, just adding the tanks doesn't get you there.

The Stock P-38F converted to P-38H is also in the package with added wing pylons and tanks.

The correct 165 and 308 gallon drop tanks are included from KM's P-47s.

I fought these files for many, many days to get it all to work together, so you may as well take advantage and use your time to build more missions. :jump:

View attachment 20618

Thanks Capt K, I will get them d/l'd and installed. That will save others from having extra planes they don't need to fly both your and my campaigns.
 
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