fuel tank is actually way smaller than i thought...A high-resolution images of Y-20U tanker with its cargo doors open.
China's transport, tanker & heavy lift aircraft
- Thread starter Totoro
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A high-resolution images of Y-20U tanker with its cargo doors open.
Okay, I'm suitably impressed and convinced.
that's the kind of picture I was hoping for to confirm that YU-20 can operate as a cargo aircraft.
Do we think what we are seeing is the fuel tank itself?
It's arrived to Zhuhai carrying cargo, to me it looks like it's just carrying a bit of cargo, rather than having its internal bay configured with fuel cells.
Alternatively, if what we are seeing is actually part of the refuelling system, chances are that small box is just part of the pump for the drogue, and the main fuel cell is actually in the main part of the cargo hold -- not visible in this image taken.
After all, that small box is basically located on the ramp -- that's not where you would place a large fuel cell.
Last edited:
by78
General
A high-resolution images of Y-20U tanker with its cargo doors open.
Y-20U (20842) tanker left Zhuhai after dropping off cargo.
Why does the tanker have larger gear housing?
TerraN_EmpirE
Tyrant King
Because the Y20 is a tactical lifter airframe not a commercial airliners airframe. As such the wing is high and the landing gear has to be beefed up to allow her to land short strip. This is similar to KC130, KC390, A400M or il78 based off tactical and strategic airlifters. Most of the western tankers are built off commercial airliners where the gear don’t need to be as large or beefy and are integrated into the wing box.
I think he meant in comparison to the transport variant Y-20A. ... but IMO they are nor larger but only of a different shape on the rear end most likely for airflow ...
So the Y-20U is not a specially-designed tanker, but a transport with secondary aerial refueling capability?