Wings, Fuel Tanks (Part 1)

Since I decided to do additional research on working with the plexiglass Landing Light Lenses, we started working on Section 18-Fuel Tanks.

Here are all 16 of the Ribs that will make up both Fuel Tanks.

To start, we made sure all the Ribs were perpendicular to the Rib webs and fluted them as necessary.  Next, we Final-Drilled all the #30 and #40 holes in the tank Ribs.  In the picture below you can see the two VA-141 Finger Strainer Flanges clecoed to the T-1003B-R Tank Inboard Rib (the T-1003B-L Tank Inboard Rib looks the same, just opposite).  The 3/4 hole in the bottom of the Ribs were already pre-drilled from Van’s, but we had to cut the top 3/4 hole with a step drill.  The plans provide specific measurements from the Flange edges to drill the hole.  Once the 3/4 hole was cut, the #30 holes in the Finger Strainer Flanges were Match-Drilled and/or Final-Drilled.  (This was done for all four Finger Strainer Flanges....two for the Left Tank and two for the Right Tank).

Now, it was time to debur the holes and edges....then dimple the #40 holes.  Pictured below are the T-10003B-R & -L Tank Inboard Ribs.....

.....T-1003C-R & -L Tank Inboard Ribs.....

.....T-1004-L & -R Tank Interior Ribs.....

.....and all of the Ribs again, post prep.