I made the various fuel tank straps; 6 upper and 10 lower using the Avipro supplied materials. I set the short strap length so that the tensioners would be midway along the aft and front spars when at their maximum length. I used 3 AN470-4 rivets as shown in the Beartracks drawing, which details the fuel tank mounting. To get the bends right, I used a 1/4 inch socket extension to bend the strap around, and then placed the ends into the vise using aluminum angle so as to avoid scratching the metal set at at a gap narrower than the socket extension and pounded on the strap with a rubber mallet as I slowly tightened the vise. I primed the straps using self-etching primer and dipped the rivets in zinc chromate prior to setting them. The short straps were then painted with Ford light tractor grey, as they are pretty much done.
