Hello Folks,
I’m searching for a photo taken before or during WWII, showing the exposed fuel tank in the centre section of the top wing, most of the shots you see are from the front and hide the tank.
The reason I ask is because we’ve just fitted a new tank to N731 here at Booker and it turns out that originally they had no tank cover, whereas this one has had a cover fitted to comply with a 1950 AD and we’re starting down the ‘originality’ road 😉
Tom
By: The Blue Max - 11th August 2006 at 20:57
Originaly the tanks were open and there was a metal edging strip between the tank and the centre section, so if you are going to seal the tank in then it aint gona be original!!!!! and it aint gona look to good either. If i were you i would cover the tank.
By: Tom_W - 11th August 2006 at 20:18
As I understand it, the reason for this AD stems from the time when these old birds were being used as Dusters and being left outside in all weathers, the AD mentions that you don’t have to pull the tank every year once it has been inspected as long as the bay is sealed against the weather, don’t want that spar getting wet 😉
Tom
By: The Blue Max - 11th August 2006 at 13:31
think you will find that with out the fuel tank covered you will not be compliant with the said AD and you will have to remove the tank each year for the inspection. The tank is only covered with fabric so not what you would call a lot of wait saving there!!!!! Original is not always better, these AD’s are brought out for a reason and help prevent accidents that have happened in the past.
By: Tom_W - 11th August 2006 at 10:31
Well old chap, it shouldn’t fill with water if we apply fabric to the edge shrouds 😉 and the current cover isn’t the nicest piece of engineering. Now all the wasps nests have found a new home (the bin) the old girl should be a bit lighter too!
Tom
By: Yak 11 Fan - 11th August 2006 at 10:18
When I last saw G-OBEE at Old Buck it had been restored with no tank cover, may be worth looking at that.
Why on earth do you want your centre wing section filling up with water anyway old boy? It will only sit and rot…..
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August 11, 2006 at 9:09 am