Case Studies

Case Studies

 
Concorde Fuel Tank Preservation

Problem
 
Following presentations given to the British Aviation Preservation Council at Gatwick and Newark Air Museums by Hitek Electronic Materials, a request was made to prepare Concorde G-AXON (01) for storage outside whilst the Hanger modifications were undertaken. Concorde G-AXON was the second Concorde to fly, on December 17th 1971. Concorde G-AXON is unique in being the fastest Concorde and the highest-flying aircraft in the fleet during trials, and was delivered to the Duxford Aviation Society on August 20th 1977. There was concern that the 17 Fuel Tanks could degrade whilst outside.

Application
 
The aircraft would be stored outside for at least two years and the decision was made to fog the 17 fuel tanks with VpCI-337 and to place at least one VpCI-132 pad in each tank depending on the volume of the tanks.

Access to the fuel tanks is via a series of oval hatches and these were removed to allow access and to ensure a photographic record could be taken before sealing after treatment. A commercial powerful handheld paint spray was employed to deliver the VpCI-337 to each tank and care was taken to ensure a good concentration was delivered to each one. Following that one or two VpCI-132 pads were placed as far into the tanks as possible. The small wing tanks were treated with a VpCI-132 pad due to the small volume, these tanks being used for balance in flight.

The tanks were then re-sealed and Concorde will be moved outside early in the New Year whilst major changes are made to the current hanger. A total of 3 litres of VpCI-337 and 20 pads were used for the exercise.