4c. Side Tanks

The side tanks on Bob's F-18 Jet Bike simulate the streamlined drop tanks of the real F-18 aircraft.  Each side tank contains 3 gallons of ordinary diesel fuel and is pressurized to 100 PSI.  Diesel is used to produce huge volumes of thick smoke during the "line show" before the actual run.  During the run, diesel is also injected into the afterburner to increase mass flow density and resulting thrust.

Close up of the spun aluminum streamlined nose cones made by Manny's Metal Spinning for Moon Speed Equipment.  The large bell mouth inlet for the jet engine was also made by Manny.

August 26, 1999
Side tanks after welding hemispherical heads, and fittings and then pressure testing.  Ready for electro polishing to a shiny gleem!	Correll discusses optimum side tank plumbing and pressurization with John Cole of Anzus Technologies.