Trying to get the fuel cell snap attached in the wing

[joea]

We are working on 068 and finishing up the wings after replacing both fuel cells due to age and having a devil of a time getting the snap on the fuel cell attached.

Anyone have any suggestions? This is for an early Sedan with the small round access hole for the fuel cell. The wings are both removed from the plane and end rib removed to be able to get the fuel cell off, but its something like 28 inches from the opening and neither of our arms, legs or imagination are long enough!

Thx,

Joe A

[dikholder]

Joe:

Dont you have any friends who play basketball?

Dik Holder, N1441H, Queen of the Berry Patch

[joea]

Joe:

Dont you have any friends who play basketball?

Dik Holder, N1441H, Queen of the Berry Patch

Ha! Already thought about going to the zoo and borrowing an Orangutan but could not afford it.

The later model Sedans with the oval opening in the wing are "Do-able" as you can get an arm in there, but not the earlier models... at least not with our arms!

Thx,

Joe

[pmanton]

Use a tool ?? Harbor freight has some 12 inch long nose pliers in different configurations.

[joea]

Paul,

We are looking at building something either out of wood (doubt it would do it) or square tubing that we can put in under the fuel bladder and push upwards to attach the snap.

12" pliers would not even get in 1/3rd of the distance we need. This is a good 30 inches from the wing root that we have to access it from.

Joe

[Dennis]

Joe, I once used a friends niece who had long skinny arms. Not kidding.

Dennis

[joea]

Dennis,

That would more than work on the later model Sedans with the oval access panel.

The older versions are different and now we can see why Aeronca made the change to the later serial numbers.

Thx, Joe