Sig SE tank hatch
12-10-2004, 03:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Sig SE tank hatch
I really think that burying a fuel tank in an airplane is a bad idea,
and it was not until I had glued in my wing tube did I discover
how hard it was to get a tank into this plane.
After grinding and cutting for about an hour trying to make a
tank slip in and still be well packed with foam I gave up and
decided to build a tank hatch. I built it in much the same way
as the canopy hatch is built. I added a bit of strength to the
front of the former to help make up any weakness in the hatch.
Here are a few pics
and it was not until I had glued in my wing tube did I discover
how hard it was to get a tank into this plane.
After grinding and cutting for about an hour trying to make a
tank slip in and still be well packed with foam I gave up and
decided to build a tank hatch. I built it in much the same way
as the canopy hatch is built. I added a bit of strength to the
front of the former to help make up any weakness in the hatch.
Here are a few pics
12-13-2004, 09:05 PM
#4
RE: Sig SE tank hatch
Got to agree with BugleBoy, don't glue in the wing tube. With both wings on the tube stays in place and does the job it was designed for. Take the wings off and remove the tube and the fuel tank pulls right out. I think that Sig brain farted on this when they designed the kit. IMHO cutting a hatch just makes a little bit weake fuselage. I may be wrong, but that's my opinion
12-14-2004, 08:50 AM
#5
RE: Sig SE tank hatch
I did mine a little bit different because I glued in the tube before I realized you can't get the tank out. I took a dremel tool and ground out a larger curve on the tank shelf. Now when I pull the tank out toward the wing tube, the tank drops down off of the shelf just as it reaches the tube. Then I can angle the tank back up and over the tube to get it out. To help in pulling out the tank, I also took duct tape and made a pull handle out of it by taping it to the back of the fuel tank. I do this with all of my tanks so I can pull them in and out of the area where they are in most planes.
12-14-2004, 09:28 AM
#6
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RE: Sig SE tank hatch
I too had problems with installing my DuBro fuel tank in my SE and I was thinking about a hatch until I realized that if I turned the tank upside down it could be installed easily without interfering with the wing tube.
/Red B.
/Red B.
12-14-2004, 03:24 PM
#9
Thread Starter
RE: Sig SE tank hatch
I wanted to avoid building the hatch if I could, but now
that it is finished I really like it.
I don't see how the thin balsa sheeting between the firewall
and first former was going to add much strength to the front
of the plane anyway... by adding the plywood hatch latch, and
1/16" hatch bottom with rails I think it is just as strong if not
stronger then befor.
It's almost time to cover the model, I will post pictures
after I am finished.
that it is finished I really like it.
I don't see how the thin balsa sheeting between the firewall
and first former was going to add much strength to the front
of the plane anyway... by adding the plywood hatch latch, and
1/16" hatch bottom with rails I think it is just as strong if not
stronger then befor.
It's almost time to cover the model, I will post pictures
after I am finished.
12-14-2004, 03:43 PM
#10
RE: Sig SE tank hatch
ORIGINAL: hookedonrc
I did mine a little bit different because I glued in the tube before I realized you can't get the tank out. I took a dremel tool and ground out a larger curve on the tank shelf. Now when I pull the tank out toward the wing tube, the tank drops down off of the shelf just as it reaches the tube. Then I can angle the tank back up and over the tube to get it out. To help in pulling out the tank, I also took duct tape and made a pull handle out of it by taping it to the back of the fuel tank. I do this with all of my tanks so I can pull them in and out of the area where they are in most planes.
I did mine a little bit different because I glued in the tube before I realized you can't get the tank out. I took a dremel tool and ground out a larger curve on the tank shelf. Now when I pull the tank out toward the wing tube, the tank drops down off of the shelf just as it reaches the tube. Then I can angle the tank back up and over the tube to get it out. To help in pulling out the tank, I also took duct tape and made a pull handle out of it by taping it to the back of the fuel tank. I do this with all of my tanks so I can pull them in and out of the area where they are in most planes.
I did the same thing with excellent results.
Pete
12-15-2004, 05:56 PM
#11
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RE: Sig SE tank hatch
I took the direct approach and put one hatch on the entire front of the plane. I really care about weight so I used a sheet of 1/8 balsa on the top from the turtle deck to the firewall and just contoured it a little flatter than the plans call for. This gives a light hatch that exposes the tank and all else for easy fixes with a lighter than designed fus
