ORIGINAL: auggie622
THIS HAS GOT TO BE FOR THE FUEL LINES BECAUSE IT ROUTS THEM PERFECTLY. THE QUESTION BECOMES, IF THESE ARE INTENDED TO BE FOR FUEL LINES, WHY SO FAR BACK. I'VE BUILT SEVERAL AURORAS IN THE PAST AND THE PLANE IS NOT DESIGN TO HAVE THE TANK MOUNTED ON THE CG. IF YOU DID THAT, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ROOM FOR YOUR RADIO GEAR.
- STEVEN
Steven,
Paul's assessment on the holes in the side of the fuse makes sense. Your assessment on the alum tubes does too. Like you say, they were in all likelihood installed with the idea of putting the fuel tank in front of the tail servos on top of the wing. This makes sense when you consider that the plane was designed for a pumped YS/OS engine.
Unlike a wood Aurora, the glass PA-2 also likely has more room in the interior for radio gear. With four servos (rudder, elevator, throttle and retracts) placed in a square arrangment in the rear part of the radio compartment, a Hayes slim fuel tank should fit nicely above the wing in front of the servos. The battery and an optional mechanical retract and steering servo could be installed in front of the tank mounted to the floor of the fuse where the nose gear is mounted. This should help to balance the model and keep it balanced once filled with fuel.
Try to fit a 12 or 16 oz Hayes slim tank in the front area of the wing saddle and see how it fits. I've seen Tipo setups like this which although more roomy due to the bottom wing, seem to have gear setup in a similar fashion.
Nice Aurora!
David
PS Side comment; it tends to be easier to read when you use mixed case rather than all caps.