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<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
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Don't put foam in your tank/s. The stuff, reticulated foam, was used in
Bell Helicopters (I was told) in Nam to minimize fuel fires resulting
from small arms and AAA. I saw a classified film (working on combat
survivability of the F-111 at the time) of 50 cal tracers fired into fuel
tanks, one with and one without reticulated foam. Without resulted in
fire nearing explosion - - with just leaked.
In 1995 I found a synthetic reticulated foam and tried it in a tank for
my 320. It was "Type IV Foam" from Foam-Ex International in Conyers GA. After getting a sample, there was an article in Sport Aviation (June 95)
re a crash of an EZE that had ExploSafe in the tank. Sumps had been
drained just before flight, but a water had been entrained in the foam
and killed the engine after lift-off.
I tested the Foam-Ex in a glass jar, and it entrained LOTS of water. Hole in tank, remove foam, breathe easier.
PS: I believe that ExploSafe is aluminum reticulated foam.
Dick Alden, N425A with 10 hours and flying.
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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