Okay has any one ever heard about anyone mounting fuel tanks in the wing of a plane before?

99% of all twins have the tanks in the wings, but I'm guessing you are talking single engine aircraft. Some guys will put it on the CG, so there CG doesn't change as the tank drains down (you need a pump to do this). I've never heard of putting it in the wing, like a full scale, I would think the logistics and hooking up fuel lines would be a real pain in the kiester.

I've thought about doing it but haven't ever tried it because of what Deadeye said. Unless you're building a duration or distance plane that needs to carry as much fuel as possible it's probably a bad idea. I would think a good pump would be mandatory and may not be enough.

Some of the pattern guys mount their tanks over the wing. I guess so the trim doesn't change. But their engines have pumps.

It's easier in a flying wing design .

No, really, the CG of a flying wing is farther forward anyway, so having the tank on the CG is easier, and puts the tank closer to the engine, so you don't have the long tubing runs.

Also, on conventional models, the wings come off, unlike on full scales. So you have to have fittings that don't leak fuel all over inside your airplane. More trouble than it's worth on that one.

If a header tank is used a pump will not be necessary. I am pulling fuel through 21� of tubing with OS 25 air bleed engines and header tanks.

Bill S

I'm wondering how this would work in a 1/4 scale gasser, mount the tanks in the wings (factory location) and run them to a header tank behind the firewall; the main reason this is attractive to me is to get the big tank out from under the instrument panel so it doesn't detract from a detailed cockpit. I realize it would be a pain to hook up fuel lines at the wing root in a manner reliable enough that they wouldn't leak. I guess the biggest problem would be finding tanks that would even fit in the wing.

Plan "B"--Does anybody make a tank that is more cubical; in other words, wider and taller than the typical tank, as well as shorter?. There's usually a lot of wasted room on either side of the tank when mounted behind the firewall. I'd like about 20 oz. capacity (US-41).

khodges - I've seen that shape tank, mainly in Europe. I don't know of any brand.

I can't see hooking up fuel lines to be that big of a pain. It's just part of doing business. Think of the guys who use flying wires on some of the WWI stuff. It can take an hour to assemble the plane at the field. And then there's cleaning it after! Yikes!

The only problems I see with the wing tanks are fuel draw and making sure the tanks are empty before disconnecting anything so fuel doesn't dump all over the inside before you can get the loose lines plugged. If draw isn't a problem then if wing tanks are the best solution then go for it.

I am working on a gasser and intend to experiment with a single tank on the ground (27 inches away from the table top) to see if fuel can be pulled without a header tank. The purpose is to determine if pumper carbs will pull fuel to wing engines from a single center tank in the fuselage. The pumper carbs have a strong pull and there is no reason to believe that the concept will not work. As far as the tank shape is concerned multiple tanks can be plumbed in series to fit in about any confined space necessary.

Bill S

Cafeen- Apparently, the guys who design these nice airplanes understand there are simpletons like me around who overly complicate every small detail. I drug out the plans I just received today and looked (shoulda done this first) at how this "problem" is addressed. Lo and behold-- Roy Vaillancourt knew I'd be along and gave an exquisitely simple solution to the tank being in the way. The plane is a 1/4 scale Birddog, and there's a box on front of the firewall to mount the engine to, so you just open up the firewall and put the tank inside the box, extending it through the firewall. It shows a 16 oz. tank, but a 20 will hide just as well. This is my 1st 1/4 scale bird and I plan to do it right. I might not make Scale Masters, but I'll at least impress all the girls at the field (?)[sm=lol.gif]

If I'm understanding you correctly with the main tank in the wings higher than the header tank behind the firewall, wouldn't the header tank tend to drain back into the main tank when you're inverted? Or do you need a checkvalve to keep the flow going one way only?