Just finishing my Bvm t33 -The tanks dont fit in the fuss-The body of the the fuss de-forms so much its untrue.looks like the tanks are oversized-any ideas?

HELLO
Is the kit you have a newer ASF model or an older one that was converted to Turbine. The older kit used a large upside down shoe shaped fuel tank that sat in the middle of the intakes. The newer kit had saddle type tanks that moved the fuel closer to the CG. It could be possible that you were sent the wrong tanks as they look like Bandit tanks. Its to well designed not to fit if mounted as shown on the plans. I think the new ones are a 3 tanks set up if memory serves me.

my kit is the older one-and there is a total of three tanks which do look like bandit tanks.They were sent by bvm as part of a up-grade package.Funny how now i need something else.more dollars[&o]

Do your tanks have labels on them?
I have the same upgrade kit from BVM, as mine is an older one too...it was originally for ducted fan, but is being built for a turbine. There is a frame that must be modified in order for the tanks to fit.

I won't be home today, but tonight I will fit them into the airplane, and see how it goes. I'll get back with you.
See the attached photos. Note: The Bandit main tanks are 9.2" long...the F-80/T-33 tanks are only 8.02 long. (These dimentions are "as designed".... the joints being fully telescoped together during assembly).

Agentadds,
I have managed to install both of the saddle tanks in my very early turbine conversion BVM T-33, and have found that some modification is required in order to accomodate the tanks in my early airframe. Adequate clearance to install the tanks was non-existant. My tanks were early models that had fairly thick flanges, and required some heard scratching to make them fit.
When I bought my T-33, it had been started, but unfinshed. It was originally a ducted fan airframe, but had the turbine inlets installed, and contained all of the fuselage frames and formers from the original build.
Here's what I had to do to make the tanks fit without jamming them in and hoping for the best.

1. I found that the original frame F-2, located on the bottom of the fuselage, interfered with the saddle tanks. Most of F-2 had to be removed. Removing most of F-2 will not result in structural problems or weakness.

2. The main fuselage frame F-3, which is made from 1/4" plywood, needs to have reliefs ground in it to clear the aft end of the saddle tanks. The drawing top view shows the tanks extending through this frame, so I didn't feel too bad grinding some of it away. See the attached photos. F-3 is massive, and is overbuilt. Tank reliefs will not compromise the strength.

3. The left tank was pretty thick in the joggled area that forms the tank half assembly joint. The photos show how I thinned (tapered) the flange to afford more clearance in the fuselage skin and inlet tract areas. There is still more than enough material remaining to make a leak free joint. The right hand tank flanges were thinner, but still required some judicious material removal.

After accomplishing these changes, the saddle tanks fit the fuselage without deforming the skin.

I used a pnuematic 90 degree die grinder with a sanding drum to remove the material, as a Dremel tool was too large to fit the work area.

The AFS version of these kits (F-80 and T-33) are totally redesigned and should not exhibit the same condition.

Harley -Thanks for your effort-your a real rep!

Harley, I was wondering, why does BVM use 2-piece tanks when all the other brands are 1-piece?
Thanks
Tom

Tom,
All glass and Kevlar tanks start out in two pieces.
BVM could join the tank halves for you, but I'm sure you learned in economics 101, at a fixed burdened rate, the more "hands on" labor involved, the higher the unit cost is.

All of the BVM tanks are made in the BVM factory in Winter Springs, Fl. by Americans being paid American wages.
BVM employs about 20 people, some have been with the company for as long as 23 years. These folks have families, mortgages, and the same kind of bills as we do. They would not stay if they were not paid a competative wage or salary.

I have been to the factory, examined the factory operations in action, and I feel that BVM products are a bargain. Only the ARF's (with the exception of the Ultra Bandit), come from abroad.
Everything else is engineered (by graduate engineers) and manufactured right here in the good old USA.

The tank halves are manufactured with a telescoping "joggled" joint, so they are easy to assemble by an average modeler, with average skills and average tools. The assembly time is minimal, but if it was done at BVM, the adhesive cure time (and cost) would need to be accomodated by the production schedule, and reflected on the price sheet.
BV has elected to keep the cost to the minimum, and let the modeller do it. It is an easy job, but time is money.

The competitors tanks are mainly made abroad, for much lower wages and lower material costs.

Next time you visit central Florida, it would be very informative to take a factory tour, and see just what is involved in the production of a BVM Jet kit. Schedule your tour with Patty at 407-327-6333.

www.bvmjets.com check out customer service

Two bandit saddle tanks and one dur-bro 24once tank

The T33 is steaming on now-By pass is all in and the engine is installed, only radio to go -I will post some pics when finished-Any one else got any great pics of your T33'S.

Agent adds

When do I get to fly my old T-33?

Dave