WW2 Paper Drop Tanks

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Chuck's Cardboard Model Aircraft

WW2 Paper Drop Tanks

A little known use of paper during WW2 was in the manufacture of fuel drop tanks used by the 8th Air Force. The British devised a system using laminated and glued paper that would hold 108 gallons of fuel - for one mission! Plastic model kit makers are well aware of the paper drop tanks as some of them offer both the "paper" and standard metal tank options. The following photos and captions tell the story.

German Drop Tank Leaflets

Apparently many civilians mistook drop tanks for bombs when they were jettisoned from allied aircraft. So the Germans circulated a leaflet to clear up this confusion. The leaflet is shown at left and has the following words in both German and Polish:

Uwaga: Attention (Polish)

Keine Bombe: Not a bomb or This is never used for bombing. (German)

To Nie Bomba: This is not a bomb. (Polish)

Fine print reads: Immediately contact the nearest police station or call (?) some other office. (In both German & Polish)

Achtung! Kraftstoffbehalter: Attention! Fuel container (German)

Uwaga! Material Pedny: Attention! Propellant (Polish)

Bardzo Wasne: Very important (Polish)