Why do mk2 fuel tanks hold the same amount of fuel as mk1?

[3dprintingnut]

The mk2 fuel tank is so much bigger then the mk1 but it still has the same amount of fuel. Anyone know why this is?

[moogoob]

Because the extra bits at the side are wing segments, not tanks. It's why the Mk 2 parts generate lift. If you look in the middle of an unattached mk 2 tank, you'll see a mk-1 sized circle where presumably the tank is located.

[3dprintingnut]

4 minutes ago, moogoob said:

Because the extra bits at the side are wing segments, not tanks. It's why the Mk 2 parts generate lift. If you look in the middle of an unattached mk 2 tank, you'll see a mk-1 sized circle where presumably the tank is located.

So why not just fill up the extra space with fuel?

[Magzimum]

Also, the Mk1 and Mk2 have almost the same weight. So for a little extra weight, you get wings and increased heat tolerance. I think it's a bargain, in terms of what you get for the same mass.

However, it would be nice if there is a tank in between the Mk1 and Mk3 tanks. Off the top of my head, the Mk1 holds 400 units, and the smallest Mk3 holds 2500. That's quite a big gap. 

Realistically, you could at best fit two Mk0 tanks in the empty space of the Mk2, thereby increasing the fuel from 400 to 500. Hardly a solution for the gap I mentioned above. 

 

[DrunkenKerbalnaut]

Hey @3dprintingnut , this thread might interest you. 

 

44 minutes ago, Magzimum said:

Realistically, you could at best fit two Mk0 tanks in the empty space of the Mk2, thereby increasing the fuel from 400 to 500. Hardly a solution for the gap I mentioned above. 

 

Four actually  . Two on each side. And if you surface mount them on the ends, instead of the outside, you can rotate them inboard for zero drag penalty. 

 

NINJA: it can be a pain to refuel them, though. Also helpful for unused space in a cargo bay. 

Edited November 17, 2016 by DrunkenKerbalnaut

[AeroGav]

On 17/11/2016 at 6:38 PM, DrunkenKerbalnaut said:

 

 

Four actually  . Two on each side. And if you surface mount them on the ends, instead of the outside, you can rotate them inboard for zero drag penalty. 

 

NINJA: it can be a pain to refuel them, though. Also helpful for unused space in a cargo bay. 

So basically, never use a mk2 liquid fuel fuselage, fit a mk2 cargo bay instead with a mk1 and four mk0 tanks inside for 50% more fuel capacity.   Plus you've always got the option to remove the tank if you don't need the delta v.

That said,  i very rarely put fuel in the main body anyway.  The main fuselage is just big enough for essential mission cargo  and  kerbals only.