At the Lelystad airshow I noticed something odd on the Air Atlantic DC-6 (G-APSA). Behind the right wing there is a small hatch with above it the text “alcohol tank 16.5 u.s. gals capacity“.
Now I know that the English tend to like alcohol, but I don’t think the tank will be for personal consumption. Besides, you’d need the hatch to be inside the cabin and not outside! 😀
So, obvious question, why is it there and what does the alcohol do?
I attached a pic to prove I am not fooling you.
By: Hand87_5 - 15th September 2003 at 09:52
Maybe it’s to launch the engines? Aircrafts use heavy fuel right , ignition need a higher temp ?
Just an idea …
By: Spotty M Driver - 15th September 2003 at 08:20
Yes, its gonna be used as a Promo aircraft. Not only will it tour Europe, but North America and maybe further afield!!
Mind i think Red Bull is banned in France, so perhaps they’ll give France a miss
Bottom line this 6 is going to be fully functioning, including the pressurisation!! The rebuild is seriously comprehensive, on a very low houred aircraft anyhow.
The list of goodies, GPS and much else they’ve fitted is great, whilst keeping originality as best they can.
Spotty M Driver.
By: tenthije - 14th September 2003 at 22:07
Thanks all!
Will the Red Bull DC-6 be touring Europe?
By: Spotty M Driver - 14th September 2003 at 21:41
Water Methanol, ie. is an Alcohol. Used on the 6 for more power on take off at high weights and high altitude airfields.
F/O that i fly with has 3,000 hours on them.
BTW, your gonna love the Red Bull DC6 which should be flying soon, best 6 in the world bar none.
Spotty M Driver.
By: steve rowell - 13th September 2003 at 01:54
I think it’s for De Icing
By: batbay - 12th September 2003 at 21:12
Quite a few years ago, spirits such as gin and vodka were so cheap to servicemen in Germany that on occasion I put them into my car’s windsceen washer bottle during the winter as they were very effective……………:D
By: Nationwide Air - 12th September 2003 at 19:35
Hi,
Yes, a very intresting topic!
Nationwide Air
By: kev35 - 12th September 2003 at 19:32
Peter.
I may be wrong but I believe at least one of Atlantic’s DC-6’s is rigged for spraying. I think it may be for dispersal of oil slicks. If, I’m right, wouldn’t alcohol break up the oil? The only other thing i can think of is whether the alcohol is used for some kind of on board de-icing device.
A very interesting question.
Regards,
kev35
By: wysiwyg - 12th September 2003 at 19:30
I don’t think a DC6 is going to get very far using fuel tanks of just 16.5 US gallons!
On some turbine engines (including thos used in the F27, 748, 747-100) you can inject a mixture of methanol and water immediately before the combution chamber during the take off roll which gives you an increase in thust. Bearing in mind the DC6 is a piston aircraft the same physics would not directly apply but perhaps it is used as a fuel additive for improved energy output. Alternatively could it be used as an additive which would suppress ice crystals forming in the fuel with low temperatures at altitude.
By: Nationwide Air - 12th September 2003 at 19:10
Hi,
Its the only thing it could be!
Nationwide Air 🙂
By: tenthije - 12th September 2003 at 19:04
Alcohol for fuel?
Well, it keeps me going, but an airplane? I never heard of that!
By: Nationwide Air - 12th September 2003 at 19:01
Hi,
I think it means fuel.
Nationwide Air
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September 12, 2003 at 6:58 pm