FOCKE WULF FW 190 DBU DROP TANK FUEL CAP

Whilst the Luftwaffe's primary bomber escort fighter, the Bf 109 was unable to carry Drop Tanks during the Battle of Britain - a situation that left the bomber fleet completely exposed to the RAF's Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires when they had to turn for home with low fuel, the Luftwaffe had actually introduced the use of Drop Tanks much earlier on the JU87R (a long range version of the Stuka Dive Bomber) and the twin-engined Bf 110.

The drop tanks were used to good effect during the German invasion of Norway but the capacity to carry the 300lt light aluminium alloy or thin zinc steel Drop Tanks for their Messerschmitt Bf 109 and later Focke Wulf Fw190s took a while to come into operation.

Made from an Electron magnesium, this Focke Wulf 190 Drop Tank Fuel Cap was produced by the German DBU Works and bears the Company's logo plus the raised text 'KRAFT STOFF - 'FUEL' and still houses its synthetic plastic internal cap.

A large O. Ring seal would normally sit under the cap’s lip and it would be secured to the Fuel Filler Spout by two 8 mm studs which were screwed down over the Cap’s Arm cutouts.

The Drop Tank would then be pressurised to 6 PSI which would allow the fuel to travel up into the aircraft behind the right side of the pilot seat, and run along the lower starboard cockpit edge, through the fire wall to the engine. 

Hermann Goring was not a big fan of drop tanks, seeing them as a waste of valuable war materials and various attempts to introduce a return ‘Reward’ payment across the German mainland were trialled through out the war, but in reality - they were essential for many of the Luftwaffe missions - especially on the Eastern Front.

Larger 600lt and 900lt drop tanks using the same Fuel Cap were used on the Messerschmitt Bf 110 and other medium German bombers.

The USAAF and later, the RAF took a different approach in conserving valuable war materials by producing their Drop Tanks out of wood pulp. The paper mache Drop tanks would barely last a few missions before they collapsed but it was a considerably cheaper and more sustainable exercise in terms of conserving precious resources.

Mounted on its 100 yr old Mango Wood stand with a highly detailed hand crafted and airbrushed model of the iconic German fighter the Focke Wulf Fw190 and informative Fact Sheet, this would make an extraordinary and highly valued, original memento of Luftwaffe air power for any aviation enthusiast.

This Focke-Wulf Fw190 collectable comes complete with detailed 1/72 or larger 1/48 Scale Model, Mango Wood Stand & Plaque plus Printed Fact Sheet featuring photo of collectable on aircraft.

* Note that this Focke Wulf FW 190 artefact is pictured with a 1/48 scale model rather than the standard detailed, but smaller 1/72 scale. Click on the 'Model Upgrade' option at the top of this page for the larger 1/48 scale

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