[ARC5] Differences: plain models vs "B" models.

[Roy Morgan]

On May 7, 2014, at 3:57 PM, WA5CAB--- via ARC5 <arc5 at mailman.qth.net> wrote:
> 
> …  According to various sources, dropping the paint was supposed to 
> save weight and/or save cost. AFAIK, dropping the paint was a WECo idea.

I’ve been encouraging my 12-year old to make estimates in math to see if the answer she got is "in the ball park".  Here goes about saving weight by dropping the paint:

Consider a B-17 with combat weights:
  Gross take off weight:  65,000 pounds
  Fuel capacity (combat): 2,180 galons x 6.8 lb/gal = ~ 15,000 pounds
  Range:  2000 miles (round trip 4000 miles)

So: 15,000 pounds / 4000 miles = 3.75 pounds of fuel per mile

(wild guess): no paint on radios:  save one pound of weight.

You might get a third of a mile more distance with no paint.

TOO close for comfort, but I’m sure it happened!

Roy

Roy Morgan
RoyMorgan at alum.mit.edu
K1LKY Since 1958