National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

Was the aux fuel tank in a 41'65CA behind the seat in the fuselage or in
the wing? Thanks, Jeff 41'65CA

Believe that it was somewhat round in shape and in the fuselage.

Joe is correct--it was behind the curtain at the baggage compartment in the upper part of the fuselage on the right side. Had a transfer valve near the left side of the pilots seat--some had installed wobble pumps in that location.

Doug

we have a project in the works, a 41ca. the aux tank is round and fits behind the cargo sling. my question, our tank has a tear drop shaped flange attached near the filler neck. does this go inside or outside the fabric.
thanks dave

Dave,

Any chance you can post a photo of the flange?

Joe

im on the road for about two weeks, but will send a pix when i get home thanks dave

davesabre60 wrote:we have a project in the works, a 41ca. the aux tank is round and fits behind the cargo sling. my question, our tank has a tear drop shaped flange attached near the filler neck. does this go inside or outside the fabric.
thanks dave

IIRC, ours was outside the fabric, but had pinked tape around it.
The tank its self was very similar to a Model T ford tank.

JUST SPENT ABOUT TWO HOURS TALKING TO A GUY THAT BOUGHT A 41 CA NEW FROM THE FACTORY, OWNED IT FOR 30 YEARS. HE CLAMS THAT THE TEARDROP FLANGE GOES OUTSIDE THE FABRIC, WITH A DRAIN HOLE AND TUBE FOR SPILLS TO RUN OUT AND NOT STAION THE FABRIC. STILL NOT HOME YET BUT WILL TAKE PIC ASAP.

If your flying a Saber 60 it wont be asap. Just kidding they are a nice airplane.

the nice thing about a sabre, is in three hours, i'll be on the ground

Reminds me of all the years I flew a 20 series Learjet. 3 hours to flameout!

The item you are talking about was a repair kit sold by the factory to handle fuel overflow to keep it from running into the plane. I have a copy of the service letter and the flange looks like it was soldered to the neck of the tank outside of the fabric with a drain tube going through and out the bottom.

If I remember, the cost of the fix was $3.75 for the kit. A service Memorandum # M-63 was issued April 28, 1943 The part number for the Auxiliary Fuel Tank Overflow Drain was 2-645 This letter is 5 pages long and would take a very large file to scan and e-mail. If you would like a copy, send me a mailing address and I can make a copy for you. I do not have this "kit" for my 41 and have installed a overflow below the top of the tank filler. I used a 3/8 alu elbow with o-rings.

We were able to install it low enough that it will be under the fabric but high enough that we could get our fingers in the neck to install the nut and o-ring.

James Beckman jbeckman@charter.net 41 65CA 34585

I filled my aux tank (behind the seat) for the first time since the total re-build on my '41 LB Chief--it does move the cg noticeably aft--requires a real shift of the trim.

A previous owner of my 65CA told me not use the aux tank. I removed it. He told me that it didn't feed properly and with the aft cg, the plane stalled early on the landing flare. He had problems trying recover before he hit the runway.
So I have one if someone needs one.

Richard

Richard wrote:A previous owner of my 65CA told me not use the aux tank. I removed it. He told me that it didn't feed properly and with the aft cg, the plane stalled early on the landing flare. He had problems trying recover before he hit the runway.
So I have one if someone needs one.

Richard

Aeronca would not have been able to certify the airplane with an aux fuel tank in back if it was not safe. It probably has limitations for its use when full.

Just because one person has a problem with it that does not mean a whole lot in many cases. If that pilot is Tony LeVier or Bob Hoover then he or someone like him is worth listening to.

Please find a good new home for the tank and hopefully they can and will use it.

Joe A