Radial Engine Stinsons
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Topic starter
24/02/2016 10:22 pm
Brand new (today) to the group. Looks like a good source of information.
I am a member of the Commemorative Air Force and we have a V-77. We had a fuel leak from the left tank that will require new fabric after the repair. Does anyone know of an approved modification to install a metal access panel on the bottom of the wing to allow future access so that we don't have to re-cover again? I have heard that some have been done, just don't know if these were approved modifications.
26/02/2016 1:40 pm
I personally haven't heard of one but you could probably get a field approval for it but why?
The current tank went 70+ years before it started leaking. With a good inspection and repair of the tank
I see no reason it shouldn't go another 70 years. If you decide to put the panel in are you going to do the other wing as well?
Topic starter
02/03/2016 4:51 pm
This one has actually been repaired before. Probably a couple of times. It was just a thought and yes, we would do both.
01/10/2020 1:19 pm
Tim is right. There is no "approved" mod to use a metal panel over the fuel tanks but many airplanes have been modified with a Field Approval. Personally, I think it is the smart thing to do. They early series airplanes had riveted bulkheads in the tank which, regardless of the number of inspections, tend to leak over time. The later airplanes the bulkheads were spot welded which seemed to have held up much better. The bottom line, is the tank will leak at some point.
Oddly the original AT-19 had eyelets worked into a patch type piece of fabric over the fuel tanks. The patch was laced in and then taped over....I guess even Stinson knew the tanks would need work at some point.
Randy
