Fiberglass Fuel Tank

[Pilot Pete]

I(n have been thinking of making a fiberglass tank for my Nieuport 11 so as to make the most of the fuselage shape behind the firewall. What I need to know is what is the type of resin to use. Epoxy or Polyester?

 

 

[skyfox1]

I(n have been thinking of making a fiberglass tank for my Nieuport 11 so as to make the most of the fuselage shape behind the firewall. What I need to know is what is the type of resin to use. Epoxy or Polyester?

Hi Pete you need to use vinylester resin for fuel tanks .

cheers Geoff.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Never heard of that stuff. Whats the main use of it.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Read a bit about epoxy, polyester, and vinyl ester and it seems that vinyl ester has poor adhesion qualities.

 

 

[skyfox1]

It is more resistant to certain fuels

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

Hello Peter, nice to hear your beast is getting closer to flying.

 

I built fibreglass tanks to fit into my wing bays. Vinyl ester (brand name Derakane) is resistant to petrol, ethanol etc.

 

It is slightly strong than polyester but epoxy is way stronger. Epoxy will bond with vinyl ester (but not the reverse) so you could build the inner tank with vinyl then encase it in epoxy for greater strength.

 

I just covered my tanks with a layer of Kevlar. Might make my feel safer, but a lot of work and now the damn tanks are mobs heavier than if I'd had them professionally made from aluminium.

 

 

[Keenaviator]

I just sloshed my Jabbie UL450 fuel tank with Kreem which is supposed to make it compatible with mogas and even ethanol laced mogas should it ever find its way into the tank. Bought it from a motorbike shop. Not cheap at about $60 for a quart. It stinks to high heaven but seems to stick like you know what to a blanket.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

my vote is for aluminium and use vinyl ester to plug the leaks

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

If I was starting now, I'd just use aluminium. And have no leaks.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

I already have an aluminum tank for a Robert baslee nieuport that doesn't quite suit my Graeme lee designed nieuport and thought of making a newbie from fiberglass. Might try a cut and shut on the Ali one and get it tig welded

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

That sounds like a good idea. Even better to ensure there are no weak points in the tanks in case it gets a thumping.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Here is the fuel tank cut and ready to weld back together. Loose some capacity but gain room under tank to move

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

forgot the pic

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

forgot the pic

Where is it?

 

 

[fly_tornado]

how did you calculate the strength of the design?

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Been on site with both the I pod and laptop and getting files lost. Will try for pics soon. FT.... Tank is designed and made by Robert baslee of airdrome aircraft in America for his nieuports

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Try this post for the pic of the tank. Its shaped to follow the curve of the top deck between the struts. It used to sit 120mm lower.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

looks alright, what ally did yu use? how much fuel does she hold?

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Tank is made from .050 5052 H3. It used to hold 46ltrs but I think it will end up close to 40ltrs now the top has been rounded.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

This is how the original tank looked..........

 

 

[fly_tornado]

how long will 40ltrs last with the VW? project is looking good by the way.

 

 

[Pilot Pete]

Fuel should last 3 1/2 to 4 hrs. Wether I get that or not is a different matter.