A printer just gave me a call about this thread, so I will try and respond!
The MD-8 should use about 100,000 btus per hour plus or minus in most situations which is roughly 1 gal of gas.
That being said, you will use no more gas on a 500,000 btu burner than a 250,000btu burner. The Maxon Airflow Burner Is
A Simple Bulletproof burner. It has a Turn Down Ratio of about 30 to 1, so it would stay on at the Max btu Level devided by 30
Much less than either burner with be used to maintain the 100,000 btus. The difference is the larger would come up to desired temp faster,
and would power more drone sections if needed. Different/larger piping/pressures should be used to take care of the volume of gas needed
on a wide open setting.
winston