Section 15

Ventral Tanks Restoration

In order to facilitate drainage in the lower fuselage sections, all drainage channels will need to be cleaned and cleared of dirt and debris. This will require removal of all ventral sections to facilitate access. Whilst ventral sections are removed they are to be restored for both internal fuel systems and exterior finish. The sections are split into forward, middle and rear tanks all three of which are removable. The forward ventral section is already removed for access to no1 engine bay.

01/01/05 Removal of rear most ventral section

Above. Rear ventral section removed from airframe, centre section is still attached, as can be seen.

Above. Rear section being stripped of paint finish, to treat any corrosion and re-paint.

Above. Etch priming of tank, ready for top coating.

Above. Tank system areas being readied for rear tank installation.

Above: Rear most tank re-furbished and fitted to airframe. The center tank area and tank can be seen

Ready to by fitted too.

Below.29/03/06

Ventral tank fuel coupling seal replacement.

April 2007 Ventral tank updates

The last 3 months have been spent refurbishing the main ferry ventral pack for fitting to the airframe. The areas concentrated on have been to refurbish the skin finish, by removing surface pittin and significant corrosion, treatment of the pick up areas and an internal inspection of the tank components and areas. See below pictures for progress.

Above: internal tank fittings and systems inspected and passed with clean bill of health.

Above: tank inspection plates being refitted with new new bolts to replace old rusty ones.

TANK SKIN RESTORATION

The tanks skins were in a poor condition having pitting across large sections of the skins. Approx 1 thou had to be removed from the entire tank skin in order to return the skins to their original luster. The process is very simple as such a small amount required removing, to eradicate the corrosion issues.

Above: Close up of the corrosion pitting in the ventral tank skins. BEFORE

AND

Above. AFTER. the tank skins looking swish once again!

The tank support structures were also given a full inspection, clean up , and a new coat of protective etch primer.

Above. Tank support structure, being sprayed with new etch primer, before top coating.