Thorp Air Command - T18.net

RB: This relic is not going back in, was really more interested in the history of this type of tank. I've already had some discussions with having one fabricated, unless I can find one out there in Thorp land not being utilized. The screen looked a bit bent but nothing plugging it up; fortunately! I think this leak was a blessing in disguise.
I just got off the phone with my ole pal Les Conwell and he had his fiberglass tank in for 22 years until the Sun n Fun incident 2 years ago, no problems. I think I'm still sticking with metal, just reviewing all my options.

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Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

You had me worried ! I thought you were going to use your kilt repair kit on the thing !

RB

Whatever you do, Chuckles, DON'T put a Thermos cap back in. Be sure to install a positive locking cap like Bruce Finney did.

I put a threaded cap in mine, which I bought from Summit Racing, including bung and O-ring. In retrospect, I wish I had done it exactly like Bruce did because there's not a lot of room in there for a raised filler neck.

While you are at it, look around at scupper designs. I did mine like Bruce, but afterwards I saw one somewhere that spilled the fuel to the right side of the fuel door and into a fairly generous reservoir on the right SIDE of the tank, between the tank and the outboard skin, and then to a drain tube through the floor.

Hi I'm Chuck and will be your autopilot for today's flight.

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Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

That's what I call getting into your work.

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Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

While you don't want to be in the fuel tank location every weekend,.... Chuck your picture of you leaning on your removalble dash panel, has sold me on modifying my floor to make it removeable ~ I like the ease of accessing the back of the dash, break reservoir, rudder contolls, etc.

Good find on the fuel tank leak.

Was this fuel tank in from original construction?

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Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
In memory of Dad

Chuck: I think a Dingo ate your fuel tank ! Not sure if that's a smile that you're happy the tank is out or a smile that your have a butt load of work to do ? Anycase glad I am on the other side of my panel ! BOOM !

RB

Victor-there

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Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Chuck : I am sure you labeled all the wires and made a wire key . If you need "tubes" for those old heavy avionics I probably have a few in the attic ! I remember going down to the Thrifty Drug
store and using their "tube tester" when our state of the art B & W TV went goofy !

RB

My freshly fabricated tank arrived today and it looks awesome, very professionally constructed. And I'm happy to say it fits perfectly (yes I've already installed it) and the gas cap and sending unit line up with the cut outs in the fuselage. It was twice pressure tested, so, hopefully no surprises once fuel is introduced. Notice the welded reinforcements, particularly around the lower bung; the source of my previous tanks leak.
Sun n Fun is starting to look like a possibility again!

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Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

That's a good lookin tank Chuck, the welds look like they have a little muscle to em. I,welded an AN fitting to the bottom of my tank and reinforced it with .125 thk t-6. It is an AN pipe bushing,so i have a male thread protruding from the bottom of the tank.........Dan

Nice "Hunk of Burning Love ! " Looks like a nice job of welding with very little distortion of the metal . The welds on my tank were no where as nice . The tank was pressure tested , but I tested it on arrival . To help me sleep at nite I applied Van's tank seal to all the exterior welds . You did say you had an access cover for the sending unit just in case it needs to be R & R .

RB