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I have a drawing of the fuel tanks in the Hog which shows a cut-away of the tanks' construction. There is a line drawn around the tank, horizontally, about 2/3 of the way up from the bottom, labeled "Self-Sealed Level". Does anyone know what this refers to?

Also, what type of material is used to do the sealing and how does it function when the tank is pierced? (I know that these are questions that I'm gonna get asked).

Thanks,

Bob

Thats what I was I taught in tech school, and it never went any further. I'll check the books when I go back to work if noone knows before then.

Liberalism is a mental disorder.

The self-sealing portion of the tanks is only in the mains and it is only a small part, not the whole tank. I want to say it holds about 900 pounds, it may be even less. Just enough to get away from the bad guys.

Coach

The lower 1/3 of the main tanks are self sealing. The upper 2/3 are tear resistant. Not exactly sure of the composition of the sealant itself but from my observations its very similar to the same stuff that Uniroyal Tires puts into its royal seal tires. Contact with air sets up the sealant to plug holes in the tank up to 23mm.

<img src="http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/457/bgnrjsiiw81q1gc.jpg" border=0>

Gravity....its not just a good idea, its the law.

M&M is pretty much right on. I had a chance to watch a bladder being replaced after the floor of the aft main was replaced a few years back. The tank wall is prett heavy stuff. It comes all folded up in a box and then has to be dropped in the tank and unfolded to meet all the sides of the tank. I guess it is a pretty big ass pain.

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

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YGBSM !

In the main fuel tanks, there is a smaller area that is self sealing. I don't think it is the bottom third, but it is a small area near the outlet pipe to the fuel manifold. I remember the amount of fuel in the sealed portion is only a few minutes worth at combat power settings.

Coach

The Fuselage tank comes in a Big Box and is Folded-up in a square.
You pull the access panel off then you take all those HI-Troques screws out around the opening and cut the sealant off pull that bladder out of that "Small Square opening" like pulling on a
Pool liner.
Putting it back in is a LONG JOB because you have tobe so careful not to tear the bladder which is pretty easy.
It feels like a inner tube.

Goose


LIVE FREE OR DIE!

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

Thanks for the info, guys, and for taking the time to include all of the extra details.

When I think about it, it seems like you only would need the lower portion of the tank to be self sealing, 'cus that's where the bullets are most likely going to enter.

Bob

Not if your inverted below the tree line, going mach millif**k with bad guys all around you. Then you would in fact need a cell that is all sealed. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

"By this time tomorrow I shall have gained either a peerage or Westminster Abbey !" Nelson the Immortal Memory

_________________
YGBSM !