However you look at it, not having the pipes from strake tanks to the sump installed was getting in the way of finalising many positions in the fuel and vent lines. I was going to leave this until after the strakes were built so I could get an exact entry point in the strakes level wise. This needs to be at the lowest point so all the fuel in the wings can be used.

Too bad for me, now is the time. I’ve remeasured the strake positions to within 2mm each side and thats near enough. I can make ramps or whatever is needed as a final adjustment post strake build, pre putting on the top.

Wow it would have been awkward to make these later. I was going to do clay modelling for the pipes but decided on foam instead. Meanwhile the first job was to make the access holes. It took a bit of courage to make holes in my beautiful fuselage sides. I must have hesitated for 2 or 3 seconds. hahaha Some things have to be done.

Pic 1 shows I have a 3″ by 1″ holes in each side just above where the bottom of the strakes will be. Pic 2 shows lines drawn for where the pipes will run down the side to the common sump. Pic 3 is the hole I had to make in the sump. Yes it would have been easier to do this before that lip was built. I hear you.

Pipe to strake access

Pip runs marked

Challenging access