Hi Lee,
The tanks should not be covered. They originally came from the factory that way but there has since been a service bulletin to remove the fabric from the tanks because it can become dislodged from the tank and balloon up during flight causing bad aerodynamic problems. Fuel running down the wing for various reasons will eat away the glue attaching it to the tank causing the problem.
Hope this helps.
Tim

Tim,
Thanks for the info, I examined the left wing that still is totally assembled and noticed that there is angled braces on the top side of the wing that helps support the rib next to the fuel tank, I suppose it keeps that rib from flexing when the fabric is shrunk. In my post I mentioned that I saw through the years at Oshkosh a hand full of Stinson wings that tanks were not covered. I could see the fabric detaching in flight which could ruin your whole day.
Lee

Has anyone tried using strips of fabric to cover only the gaps around the tank?  On my aircraft the gaps were sealed (attempted) with great gobs of silicone.  A yucky mess to be be sure and not very effective.  I would like to try to keep the gaps sealed though.  Is there a better way?

Thanks.  Andy

You should be using the fabric finishing tapes after you install the tank to cover those gaps.

Thanks!  Just aft?  ... Not sides and forward side?

Posted by: @akarassowitschgmail-com

Thanks!  Just aft?  ... Not sides and forward side?

all 4 sides of the tank

I don't have any good pics.  Basically you run the tape down over the straps, wide enough on the sides to cover the side gaps.  And you run it fore and aft too.

  The last fabric job on my plane (circa 1963) in polyester only covered the gaps, not the straps.

Thanks for the input

Michael.  

The internal braces keep the outboard fuel tank bay rib straight