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Wings...fuel tanks, fittings and leak tests ;^) 05/21 - 05/22 - 05/23/03 - Next up in the wings section are the fuel tanks. Over the past three evenings, I've gotten them to the point to where I can clean them out and get ready to install the tanks in the wing structure. I started by pulling parts Wednesday evening and drilling the holes required for the fittings. (I really hated to drill eight holes in two perfectly good fuel tanks, but you have to do it!), Last night, I installed the fittings and this evening, I performed an air pressure leak test. The job is pretty easy and straightforward although I did lean on the experience of Ed at Rans again on installing the fittings and also to perform the leak test. Before each task, I've gotten into the habit of calling or emailing Ed to discuss the job and also to ask him for any tips on the task at hand...good advice if you can keep from wearing out your welcome and so far, he's never failed to provide first class advice and assistance. Following are some photos beginning with three from Ed at Rans on the process of installing the fittings.
Tanks are laid out and the fitting holes are marked:
Fittings being installed:
Detail on securing the outer nut to the withdrawal fitting, gasket and washer assembly:
Fuel caps assembled:
Hose fittings installed:
For the air pressure leak test, I spoke with Ed again and he told me a bit about how I could test the tanks without the possibility of blowing them out, so I gave it a try! ;^) I was thinking about trying to get an endorsement contract from the (in Ed's words) 'Expansion Chamber' folks, think it'll work?
I ultimately had to go to the duct tape in order to secure a positive seal around the filler neck, but the results speak for themselves and the tanks don't leak!
The rest of this long weekend, I'm planning to clean out the debris from inside the tanks (and actually water test them) then begin installing the tanks into the wing structure. I believe after that we are ready for rib building! Oh, by the way...I did get to go on my Warbirds Flight last Sunday, and although the clouds kept us from doing LOTS of acro, I did get to fly the T-6 through loops and aileron rolls and even got 1.0 hours of basic instruction in the logbook! It was nearly too much fun to have in a single hour! Here's a couple of shots of the happy aviator and although you probably can't tell, I AM wearing my Coyote Tee!
More updates soon... |
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Last Update: 05/23/2003 |
