Need aerodynamic help for a tank

[tortoise]

you don't need a 5 strut Indy suspension with all that extra drag either.
  Sid.

Extra drag versus what? Those are mighty skinny struts; the smoke goes through them with very little disruption. 

[kiwi belly tank]

In my opinion a straight tube axle with a fairing over it will disturb less air than a multi strut system. Single seater formula cars need all that for obvious reasons.
  Sid.
 

[SPARKY]

Damm--- Sid there you go giving away all the secrets 

[RichFox]

Markley Bros. tank. And with later  scoop and GMC

[SPARKY]

Thanks Rich---I always wondered why the wishbones

[oj]

Markley Bros. tank. And with later  scoop and GMC

Yes, that thing is a little sweetie and quite the the history.  I see I'll have lots to research. 

[oj]

In my opinion a straight tube axle with a fairing over it will disturb less air than a multi strut system. Single seater formula cars need all that for obvious reasons.
  Sid.
 

I was wondering id strut tube is available with heavy enough wall to make the axle from.  All the strut I've worked with is very thin. 

[kiwi belly tank]

Build a regular round tube axle then build a sheet metal fairing over it with the tie rod inside the fairing. I have a 30" aluminum tank from an F-101 Voodoo here that I would donate if you are interested.

Sparky's gunna cross me off his Christmas list now!
  Sid.

[RichFox]

PBY wing struts would be the "Traditional" axle shape.

[NathanStewart]

I'll go ahead and be mr unpopular and poke at a hornets nest and say that tanks are the absolute worst cars to build - especially p38 based tanks.  packaging nightmares.  everything is a compromise.  i for one absolutely don't understand the tank craze that seems to be so hot for the last decade or so.  horrible, horrible cars to deal with. 

Flame away.   

[oj]

Build a regular round tube axle then build a sheet metal fairing over it with the tie rod inside the fairing. I have a 30" aluminum tank from an F-101 Voodoo here that I would donate if you are interested.

Sparky's gunna cross me off his Christmas list now!
  Sid.

I appreciate it but I've been working with a 38ish diameter and don't know if I could get by with any less.  It gets small quick.   Whats a 'fairing'? kinda like a little wing?  is that legal? 

[kiwi belly tank]

Nathan is right, tanks are a horrible thing to build. It's like shoving 10lb's of $hit in a 5lb bag & the bag's not even the right shape for all that crap! You will have a new appreciation of those that have done it before you.
I think the old Benham tank #34 was the best packaging I'd ever seen, 24" tank, SBC & Norm was looking through the nose. Now that was snug!! My 30" tank is kinda roomy.
Axle fairing.....yep that's legal, read the book.
A 1" round tie rod out in the air has roughly the same amount of drag as a tube axle with a fairing over it.
  Sid.
 

[Eddieschopshop]

I agree Nathan, 

[Stainless1]

38 inches... that's huge.... sure you don't want to build a rear engine modified lakester... errr.... roadster  

Lakesters are hard to streamline.... it's all that nasty air swirling around the exposed suspension and tires.... you can do a little about that, but the best streamlining trick available is minimum frontal area.... that means don't tote a lot of excess air inside the vehicle, that air space inside slows you down more than anything else.

Good luck with your project OJ... start taking pics

[kiwi belly tank]

Yeah, 38 inches is a bus!
  Sid.