Warbird Information Exchange

I have a leak in one of my standard category G model auxiliary bladders. I would like to see if I can get field approval for capping them off for right now until the preparations can be made to fix them properly. Does anyone have experience in doing so or have heard anyone in the past doing so? The plane was originally a C model that didn't have the bladders which might help my case for now. Not really looking forward to pulling the wings to do so.

Thanks JH

Not sure what the FAA requirements are, but up here in Canada we have one of our Harvard Mk 4's flying with one aux bladder tank capped off.
All we really did (other than the AME's logbook entries) was to put placards on the wing and in the cockpit that one wing has a 55 Imp Gallon capacity and the other has a 42.5 Imp Gallon capacity.

These guys show having new T-6G-style bladder tanks available: http://aerotechservicesinc.com/home.html (on page 9 of the PDF catalog)

Anyone know if 168-48004-1A and -2A will fit in a Harvard Mk 4? The RCAF IPC calls for 168-48004-1 and -2 (no A)

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The -A would be something in the system at Aerotech as the G model IPC shows -1 and -2 as well.
I've used Aerotech bladders several times in the past and they produce a quality product.
Since it is a PMA product from Aerotech the A suffix might be due with a revision number or some requirement to differentiate between an original and their product. I'd call them for exact info but it should work.

I think the FAA would view capping off a fuel tank as a Major Alteration as it deals with the fuel system.
The C model also had a reserve position on the L/H tank and the quantity indicator that is marked differently. As well as differences in the venting for the tank.
Just capping the tank wouldn't necessarily make it exactly the same as an earlier system.
Hopefully someone has some exact info for you.
Good luck.

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Rich Palmer

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Thanks Rich, that's what I was hoping for.
We'll probably be replacing the bladders in our Mk 4's that have them installed, but it won't be for a while. A little bit more work involved than replacing the main fuel tanks.

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Concerning pricing of new cells, we got a quote around 2200USD per cell from Aerotech.
If the old ones need only minor repairs you have to expect 250-500USD.