Belly Tank Build Update

Thanks for the great comments guys, here`s what I did this week.
The lower half of the tank , the left side hanging from the plane, was in the worst shape when I got the tank so I made it the bottom. I wanted to install louvers in it and the only way to do it was to make panels and weld them in. The guys couldn`t press louvers in something as big as the tank. By installing the louvered panels, I was able to get rid of some bad sheet metal and some welds where I had cut out the pylon that attached the tank to the plane. I first rolled the panels on the English wheel to get them to fit the curve of the tank and then used a Sharpie pen to draw the outline of the panel on the tank. Then I drew another line about 1/2 inch inside of that line and cut out the metal. The next step was to put the panel inside the tank and scribe a line in it to make an acurate cut. The pieces would have to fit exactly for a good weld. After fitting the panels, I tacked them in place and that was it. We were out of Argon gas for the TIG welder, so the finish welding will have to wait until Monday.

 

OK, here`s what I`ve gotten done in the last few weeks. The first picture is of the lower air intake for the radiator. This was taken before I primed the lower half of the tank. The next picture is of the rear air vent, next is a side view of the lower half of the tank after it was primed. The last picture is a view from the front showing the holes for the front axle and drag link. Well, that`s it for now, more pictures as soon as there`s something to see.

 

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nice build.....

 

Thanks!

 

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that is comming along just fine, lotsa neat tricks and cool bits

Keep up the good work!



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Man a neighbor building something so cool. I wish I lived next door I'd be there alot.... Cool. I can't wait to see more. Thanks for sharing. Godspeed.

 

I really dig Bellytankers!! Yours will be very cool!!

 

Again.......very very nice! Love all the detail work.
What color(s) are you going to paint?
How bout some engine turned silver leaf #'s and lettering?
Thanks for posting new pictures.

 

What a beautiful belly tank, it gives me inspiration for my Bonneville project.

 

That looks like a great project regardless of the SCTA legalities.
I had a smaller p51? steel tank and planned to make a period race car,
just to take to short drags or wherever,
but I bailed out as I kinda need to be able to have a streetable car to justify the time and money.

Even so,
I can't afford the legal fire/driving suit/helmet or the time invested
to become a semi-serious racer anyway!

Thanks for letting us watch!

TP

 

The plan is to paint it black with ivory colored scallops and gold leaf engine turned numbers. Painting it black is the reason I`ve taken so long to get the body ready for paint. Black shows up every flaw in the body and I wanted to make it as nice as I could.

 

Well the body is finally ready for paint so I`m taking the frame and running gear apart to finish welding and paint everything. I`ll also be able to fix a few things I found while taking everything apart. Here are a few pictures of how things look now.

 

Good for you. I agree, it's the journey not the destination. I'm on my sixth build and every one has been an adventure

 

holy mackeral! you are in my back yard and I never new it!!!

I love the tanker! looks like it is coming along quite nicely!

cant wait to see it run

 

That tank looks great ! Definitely the best looking use of the small 12' steel tank I've seen. It's hard to make everything fit in them, and look proportionate. But you did it. Nice job !

 

Thanks Bobby. It`s been a lot of work but I`m almost there!

 

I just wanted to bump this thread due to its awesome content

any progress?

 

This week I`ve stripped the car down to the bare frame and final welding is almost done. The frame will be painted this week, and re-***embly will begin as each piece is painted, polished or plated.

 

I really hope you can get this thing together by Heavy Rebel!!!

we have got some rockstar parking lined up for ya!!!

 

I got to stop by and meet Jeff and Steve yesterday. They are doing some very nice work in the back of their shop. Jeff's Belly Tanker is looking good. He's just fine detailing pieces right now before pain.

Steve's Studebaker is going to be really cool and looooong.

Nice to meet you guys!

Rock

 

Thanks Rock, I`m glad you could make it to the shop. Here are some new pictures of what has been done this week.The first picture is the diff. before it was taken apart to weld the brackets on and paint it. The next one is the piece in primer. Steve is welding the frame in the next one. The frame after it was painted, and the motor ready to re-install in the car.

 

I`ve started to put everything back together.I took a lot of pictures of everything before I took it apart, but I still had a problem getting the shift linkage to fit and work correctly. I had mixed up the shift rods and put the bracket that goes on the transmission in the wrong mounting holes. Now everything`s working as it should, but I still couldn`t believe how much trouble it was. Anyway here are some more pictures I took last week. There are more pictures on the website if you`re interested.

 

Here are some pictures of this weeks progress. Now that everything is back together, it`s time to paint the body. Any suggestions about the color?

 

Awesome detail. I love looking at all the gadgetry.

 

Will you have a reverse gear? People will go nuts seeing a tanker backing up!

 

Wheres' the roll bar etc?

 

Just absolutely beautiful craftsmanship! That is one beautiful tanker. Cant wait to see it up close!

 

Yes it has a reverse. Look closely at the pictures and you can see how I made the shifter work, or go to my website.

 

your tank is killer, the fab work looks top notch....