Wing tip tanks

[tanktastic43]

Can anyone please tell me when wing tip tanks came into use?

Were they used by anyone during WW2, or were they purely post war?

Thanks in advance.

tt43.

[B777LR]

Oldest aircraft that comes to my mind is the P-80. Last aircraft i think would be the Learjet or Starfighter. The P-80 is sorta a WWII fighter though, some saw service in Italy.

[elmayerle]

Well, even though they weren't cleared for it, the F-5E/F and F-20A were capable of carrying the same wingtip tanks as the F-5A/B.  The F-20 used those plus two underwing drop tanks and a large under-fuselage drop tank for a long-range demonstration flight.

[tigercat2]

To me, the coolest-looking wing tip tanks were the 'underslung' ones, like on the B-57 and F-80.

Wes W.

[kitnut617]

earliest I can think of is the already mentioned P/F-80 and then there's the P/F-84.  I remember reading somewhere these tip tanks actually improved the performance.

[GTX]

I'm sure I've seen photos of P-51s and P-61s with tip tanks - not sure what year though or if they were trials.

Regards,

Greg

[B777LR]

I'm sure I've seen photos of P-51s and P-61s with tip tanks - not sure what year though or if they were trials.

Regards,

Greg

http://www.swissmustangs.ch/mediac/400_0/media/44-73454~N2051D~Cavalier~1970_a.jpg

Cavalier mustangs. Some kind of fast 1 seat corporate aircraft, converted from the P-51.