SMALL TANKS FEiDW SCALE MODELS Heres clever way simulate out-in-the-open fuel tanks seen some early-era aircraft ENed Kragness HIGHLY visible fuel tanks not-unusual feature early-era aircraft Such designs Bleriot Fokker Spider carried gravity tanks cabane struts next engine building model 1918 Curtiss Seagull realized could also make functional miniature tank Like original would rest alongside engine have hemispherical ends simulate basic tank used deep-drawn aluminum tubes some brands cigars packaged Robert Burns Bering two know Besides acquaintance smokes expensive cigars youll need complete project fine-cut needle file auger bit file razor saw scriber hand drill holder Except legends printed two brands cigar box tubes identical 0757-in-diameter tubes hemispherical end have slip-fit cap other Though cylindrical walls 0010 thick hemispherical ends much thicker drilled tubes can pressed place treated CyA cyanoacrylate glue made sufficiently fuel resistant purposes cylindrical portion carefully cut fine-toothed razor saw its edges trued filing aluminum hard-tempered state because cold-forming work done manufacturing process must first softened alcohol propane torch flame before can flare open end metal expanded rolling small smooth steel ball around inside tube using considerable pressure tube itself rolls glass smooth steel plate Trial fit mating portion until penetrates A6 %2 flared end fit should snug %2 aluminum tubes drill ends #43 drill 0089 taper close fit abrasive cloth Position tubes wring place using touch CyA Assemble two tank segments gap-filling CyA Add fill vent engine feed tubes wish paint tank basic paint job Robert Burns tube will withstand alcohol softening flame can repainted easier using zinc chromate primer legend Bering tube can removed slowly acetone dope thinner scale effect mounted tank A2-scale Curtiss Seagull two straps thin aluminum Cigar packaging tubes also make excellent miniature welding gas bottles nitrogen oxygen bottles bombs torpedoes bottles perfect photographing models flight line settings add carts hoses tiny torches fire extinguisher nozzles extra realism pressure test small tank must find out will hold vacuum wont leak bit tricky Cover end tube wet fingertip Suck remaining tube let stick tongue tube tight should hold vacuum quite some timeII February 1992 21 authors A2-scale 1918 Curtiss Seagull sports authentic-looking fuel tank alongside Cox Tee Dee 051 engIne 24-oz model has 49-in wingspan 415-sq-in wing area cigar tube tank mounted next en gine radIator miniaturized Sea gull Curtiss brought out Seagull 1918 commercial version MF flying boat trainer produced Navy Fuel tank radiator detail tank painted mounted engine bearer Besides aluminum tubes whIch some brands cigars packaged simple tools needed fashion make believe tank L R scriber pin vice hand chuck auger bit file X-Acto needle file