Wing Tanks! (Fuselage Components)

Yes, it's true - there will be no box fuselage fuel tank in my RV-12.  I believe Viking has a viable and preferable alternative.  It consists of a small standpipe in the corner of the baggage compartment which interconnects to 4 tube tanks, resting in the lightening holes on either side of the main spar of each wing.

The process begins with removal of the box tank and then cutting a hole in the baggage compartment floor, designated by the bracket shown in the second picture below.

Aforementioned bracket cleco'd into place from 3 drilled out rivets in the baggage floor.  The standpipe is temporarily jigged into place on the longeron, where it will call home for the foreseeable future.  The bung at the top of the standpipe will be for a vent.

The standpipe as it projects below the baggage floor.

The third bung on the right is for the engine fuel feed line.  A large finger strainer is screwed and sealed into place.  Later, the supply line itself will be screwed and sealed into the female threads of the finger strainer as it runs to the fuselage center line where it will intercept the existing supply line.
The bung of the end cap of the standpipe will be for a drain sump valve.

Here is a potential mockup of the right wing's supply line fitting.  I don't yet know if this is feasible as I have not built the wings and do not know if there is 1.5+ inches of clearance between the fuselage side and the root wing rib.

Closeup shot of the nipple, coupler and elbow fitted together for the geometry imposed by the standpipe and bung.

Loosely screwed together to see if I'm in the ballpark for clearance between the fuselage and wing root.  The answer is still a long way off.  I have to build the wings first!

Shown below is the termination of the engine supply line, that will run from the lowest bung of the standpipe.

 A shot of the left wing's supply line as it runs from the standpipe.  The 3/8 inch aluminum tubing clears the top of the lightening holes by 1/16 - 1/8 inches.  The horizontal white lines are actually strings that will be used to route control cables for the rudder and stabilator.

 The photo below shows the three lines (from bottom to top: engine supply, engine return and left wing supply) from the standpipe, running toward the center line of the fuselage.

Another view from slightly further aft (near the exit of the right flaperon torque tube), looking forward.

 More to come, so stay tuned.