Spit with auxiliary fuel tanks?

[gamevender]

I'm reading Hollands "Sicily '43". In a chapter entitled "Airpower", he tells a story of a pair of Spitfires out of Malta equipped with "auxiliary fuel tanks that could be discarded ..." I'm no aircraft expert, but I don't recall ever hearing mention of Spits being so equipped nor seen a photo of one. Anyone out there have more info on this?

[malpaso]

Slipper tanks came in sizes from 30 to 170 gallons.  They would be used first, then discarded if needed for combat, or if trouble didn't present itself kept on for reuse.  They fitted directly under the fuselage.  Google "Spitfire slipper tank" for hundreds of photos.

 

Later there was also a cigar shaped drop tank.  

[junglierating]

Funnily enough I have just purchased the Airfix Spitfire book and there were phots of said tanks within.....you get get it for a song on e commerce sites ...worth a punt.

[Dave Swindell]

There was also a lash up arrangement of 2 hurricane? drop tanks on a frame mounted under the fuselage which sounds more like what is being referred to.

[Grey Beema]

This is my representation of a Seafire that took part in the last British & Empire dogfight in WWII.  As you can see it is equipped with a 90 Gallon slipper tank.  At least one of the Seafires had trouble releasing the tank (not this one though)..