On 11/08/2013 10:37 PM, bill wrote:
> My question to the forum is, has anyone tried fabricating a metal
> (aluminium) tank rather than using the Polyethylene plastic one as
> supplied with the kit.
Why would you do that? Metal tanks can also leak.
There are a few things to consider:
1) Metal is heavier.
2) The plastic tank offers great safety in a moderate crash. A metal
fuel tank will likely rupture catastrophycally, releasing its full
capacity at once in your lap or under your seat. Metal will spark when
it scratches the surface (which will happen if you loose the gear during
the mishap) igniting the fuel instantly. Metal fuel tanks are sort of ok
in the wing, but I would never ever want one just behind my back, with
its bottom just above the belly of the airplane.
3) A metal tank will cause much more water in the fuel. Moisture in the
air will settle against the cold metal walls of the fuel tank and
eventual run down and cause a pool of water at the bottom of the tank.
I think a good quality plastic tank is preferable in our situation. Too
bad that some of the supplied tanks were of inferior quality, but it
doesn't have to be like that.
Frans
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