Hatz Biplane Association

I received the fuel tank from Makelan today. It's very well made and the welds are outstanding. It fits my center section perfectly.

-Scott

Looks nice. Do you know how you'll get a fuel hose up there? Do you have to stand on a seat, or can you use a ladder?

I can reach the filler cap by standing on the front seat otherwise, a ladder is needed. Someone with a flying 'Classic' may be able to shed some light on how refueling is most easily done.

-Scott

I just got back from the National Biplane Flyin with a friend's Classic. I fuel it by standing on the rear cockpit combing. Jim installed steel tube support in that area. It is quite easy if you have someone to hand you the hose, but a bit difficult to climb up there with a heavy hose and nozzle in hand. Standing on the seat puts you a little low.

JD

We fabricated our own fuel tank and located the filler neck 7 inches from the left side of the tank which makes it very easy to reach with a gas can or hose on a ladder. We got this idea from Lorin Wilkinson's Hatz. Another advantage is if you tip it up on the nose during a bad landing the fuel will go down along side the cowling instead of pouring directly down onto the firewall. This happened to us a couple years ago. Also, if you overfill the tank or have fuel expansion on a hot day, it runs down onto the left wing walk instead of into the front cockpit and all over your clothes. We also added a step on the leading edge of the left landing gear and a removable step behind the firewall and ahead of the left rudder pedal. I can email photos of the step if anyone needs them.
John Hanson HC-012

Can you please post the photos to this thread as attachments? I would like to see them.

-Scott

If you have time please measure the capacity.

TKS

Michael

I will but it'll be a week or two before I can get around to it.

-Scott

John, I would also love to see the photos as I have been considering the left side filler also.

I talked to Ron Sieck, builder of the award winning Hatz Classic SN23, and he said his Makelan-built tank holds 23 gallons of which 22 is declared usable. I'm guessing my tank has a similar capacity but I'll measure it soon to verify.

While on the phone with Ron, I asked how he reaches the tank's filler cap to refuel. He said he uses a ladder. I asked him what if no ladder is available and he said, in my words, you have a problem.

Ron also said in hindsight that he would have relocated the filler cap to the left side of the tank.

-Scott