P51 Mustang Oxy Tank Used as a Fuel Tank

[RT DAVE]

My buddy is going to use this as a fuel tank for his model t hot-rod.  I thought it was cool, so I thought I would share.  I'm sure it's been done before but I'm not really all that knowledgable about old skool stuff. 

[hemihead]

He might get a good chunk of change out of it by selling it to an aircraft restorer or collector. 

[RT DAVE]

He might get a good chunk of change out of it by selling it to an aircraft restorer or collector. 

More than the $100 he paid for it?  I don't think he cares but he ain't made of money either. 

[Drache]

you dont find original parts to those aircraft very much anymore. You could probably toss it up on Ebay and make at least double back.

[GreenMachine]

you dont find original parts to those aircraft very much anymore. You could probably toss it up on Ebay and make at least double back.

I work on Military aircraft, that bottle looks just like the ones being used right now on some aircraft except for the color and fittings. If the Military finds something that works, they keep having them made for years and years and years and years.........

[DodgeByDave]

My concern would be as to how much oxygen is "cold soaked" into the metal, if it's possible for oxygen to do that.

I know that gasoline and a lot of other compounds will be drawn into a metals porosity, rendering that unusable for anything else.

Antifreeze will "soak" into the copper and aluminum of a radiator, causing the blindness associated with bootleg whiskey cooled this way instead of with a thump barrel with copper coils. (old grandad only went to town about twice a year.........)

I would steer clear of using this thing as a fuel tank. Sell it for twice the money. If it's in fact a vintage P-51 part with the proper data tag intact it may be worth a small fortune.

Smart money would go and get a proper crash-worthy fuel cell. This is not the place to be cheap or cut corners.

Yeah it would look cool, I love the idea myself.

this is why I wouldn't fool with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqv68DkPi60

That an old video of Roger Williamson's horrific fire, and not for the squeamish.

My purpose isn't to poo poo on your idea, just to get the thought process from "wow, neat" to "what if?"

DBD

[RT DAVE]

My concern would be as to how much oxygen is "cold soaked" into the metal, if it's possible for oxygen to do that.

I know that gasoline and a lot of other compounds will be drawn into a metals porosity, rendering that unusable for anything else.

Antifreeze will "soak" into the copper and aluminum of a radiator, causing the blindness associated with bootleg whiskey cooled this way instead of with a thump barrel with copper coils. (old grandad only went to town about twice a year.........)

I would steer clear of using this thing as a fuel tank. Sell it for twice the money. If it's in fact a vintage P-51 part with the proper data tag intact it may be worth a small fortune.

Smart money would go and get a proper crash-worthy fuel cell. This is not the place to be cheap or cut corners.

Yeah it would look cool, I love the idea myself.

this is why I wouldn't fool with it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqv68DkPi60

That an old video of Roger Williamson's horrific fire, and not for the squeamish.

My purpose isn't to poo poo on your idea, just to get the thought process from "wow, neat" to "what if?"

DBD

Thanks for the advice.  I'll pass that info on to my buddy.  My best guess is he'll never finish his project anyhow, but it would be a waste of a good part if it was dangerous and if it was better served as a resto piece for an airplane... 

[Lowprofile]

For that kind of application, this is the only way to go............


   https://www.mooneyesusa.com/Store/product_info.php?products_id=1384&osCsid=f79f863526

[RT DAVE]

For that kind of application, this is the only way to go............


   https://www.mooneyesusa.com/Store/product_info.php?products_id=1384&osCsid=f79f863526

It's nice but my bud wants to attempt to do something a bit more atypical.   I'd do that over the other and keep the oxy tank as a conversation piece. 

[Lowprofile]

He can always use a beer keg!