B-17 LIQUIDOMETER CORP, EA-47-2C, 6 x Tank, Fuel Quantity Indicator

Each of the B-17 Flying Fortress’ four Wright Cyclone Model R-1820-97 turbo-charged, radial engines could be supplied by 6 independent fuel tanks - three in either wing.

The outer Port and Starboard engines (No 1 & 4), drew down from two dedicated 425 gallon outer wing tanks, whilst the B-17’s inner Port and Starboard engines (No’s 2 & 3) drew from two dedicated 213 gallon inner wing fuel tanks.

Both Port and Starboard engines were also supplemented by two, 212 gallon Feeder Tanks located between each inner engine and the aircraft's wing root.

As well as carrying their own fuel at take-off, each Feeder Tank was also used to draw fuel from the B-17’s 18 x smaller ’Tokyo’ feeder tanks in both outer wings (9 to each wing).

Comprising 5 x Outboard wing tanks and 4 x Inboard wing tanks, the ’Tokyo’ tanks were self-sealing, removable rubber cells providing the aircraft with a further 540 gallons from each wingtip.

The 5 x ‘Port' x Outboard Tokyo tanks were connected directly to the main fuel tank supplying No 1 engine whilst the 4 x Port Inboard Tokyo tanks were connected to the Port Feeder Tank which in turn, supplied fuel to the No 2 engine. The same arrangement was repeated for the Starboard wing.

First installed in the B-17 F in April 1943, the ‘Tokyo’ collapsable, rubber tank cells increased the aircraft’s operational range by a further 1000 miles bringing the total combined fuel carrying capacity of the B-17 to 12806 gallons.

Remarkably, this total could be further extended to assist in non-combat; long-range ferrying operations, with the addition of 2 x 410 gallon Auxiliary Tank bladders hung side by side, in the aircraft’s bomb bay.

All 4 x main tanks (1 - 4) were equipped with their own Booster Pumps and linked to the two primary Feeder Tanks with cockpit operated solenoid Shut-Off Valves installed in each Fuel Transfer line. The Booster Pumps were used to supplement the aircraft’s 4 x engine-driven fuel pumps during take-off and when cruising above 10,000 ft.

A single Fuel Transfer Selector Valve enabled the flight engineer to shut down any damaged or destroyed engine, as well as transfer or cross-feed fuel from any tank to the remaining operational engines. An Emergency Hand Pump was also secured to the rear bulkhead of the bomb bay should the electrically operated transfer fuel pumps fail.

To enable the pilot, co-pilot and flight engineer to monitor fuel levels in all of the B-17’s primary and secondary fuel tanks the aircraft was equiped with a Liquidometer EA-47-2C, 6 x Tank Fuel Quantity indicator.

Installed directly in front of the B17 co-pilot's control yoke and adjacent to the aircrafts Fuel & Oil Pressure guages, the B-17 Fuel Quantity Indicator featured a twisting knob located below the rotating indicator display window.

When rotated, the knob could display the status of each of the six individual fuel tanks for engines 1- 4 as well as both the left hand (LH) and right hand (RH) feeder tanks via a revolving ‘carousel’ display window.  

A small, red ‘low fuel’ warning light would be normally located above the indicator display window and could be ‘pushed’ to test each of the tank but is missing in this B-17 Fuel Quantity Indicator.

Manufactured by the US company Liquidometer of New York, this is original, battle-hardened B-17 Flying Fortress 6 x Station, Fuel Tank Indicator is a rare collectable of an original aviation veteran of WWII.

Mounted on it’s hundred year old Mango Wood display stand with engraved plaque and highly detailed 1/72 or more detailed, 1/48 scale custom built model of the iconic B-17 bomber perched atop its removable magnetic arm, this is really a once-in-a-lifetime to own a piece of iconic aviation history.

Combine this with a highly detailed and informative laminated Fact Sheet with photos of the Fuel Indicator mounted in the B-17 cockpit, this Recovery Curios, Vintage Aircraft Instrument Collectable would make a fantastic and unforgettable gift for the pilot or aviation enthusiast in your life.

This B-17 Fuel Indicator is photographed with a 1/72 scale model but to choose the larger and more detailed 1/48 scale model, simply click on the 1/48 Scale option at the top of the page.

This B-17 Flying Fortress Collectable comes complete with detailed Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Manikin Head and Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of collectable in service.

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