The Sikorsky SH-53D flown by the USMC used to employ 500 gallon fiberglass ferry tanks to extend their range. Navy & USAF CH-53s had external tanks and did not need the ferry tanks.
However, after a USMC -53 was blown out of the sky by an exploding ferry tank, use of these tanks was prohibited. The accident investigation board believed that the crew chief removed the fill cap to check fuel level. Static electricity and inadequate grounding procedures most likely ignited the fuel vapors.
Jet fuel has lower vapor pressure than gasoline. Whereas the air over gasoline in a closed tank will become too rich to be explosive, jet fuel in a tank(Kerosine), with its lower vapor pressure, does have an explosive air mix in the tank.
We were investigating the possibility of flying our -53s to Europe and first tried the equivalent flight legs from North Carolina to Homestead, FL to Grand Turk to Roosevelt Roads, PR. We had to get special permission and give additional training to flight crews before we were allowed to use those 500 gall fiberglass ferry tanks.
An “empty” (having previously contained fuel) jet fuel tank will very definitely explode.
Thanks for the info...
An empty fuel tank will certainly explode if it’s been hit by a missile.
Ping.
You are talking about Kerosene aren't you?
But in an open environment gasoline is more volatile than kerosene. I do not want ANY open flames near gas, kerosene does not evaporate into the air (as much).
I was at an air show at SJAFB in NC many years ago and they simulated a JP4 fire. The technician had to put some flame to the stuff to get it ignited, but once it was it was on, and quick. The entire crowd was moving back, fast. Intense heat.