I agree on the reserve fuel issue never want to cut things to close in case of unexpected conditions .Your right about having some more capacity on the fuel , the max weight conditions are given as take off weight with front half of cckw and its various items along with crew of five coststing of pilot, co-pilot ,crew chief, radio operator,weight and balance officer plus fuel total 30,514lbs. a max gross take off weight of 31,000 lbs a max landing weight of 26,000 lbs . so they had a margin of 486 lbs to the max take off weight .but given wind and weather conditions the repair and operating condition of aircraft I say there wasnt a whole lot left.
fuel u.s. 6 & imp 7.2lb/gal.
they break down the fuel as 2 tanks.29 gal ea. max 58 gal , 4 tanks, 2 wing frt.404 gal. 2 wing rear 400 gal.804 gal.total.100-octane