Gilbert, something a little different

Nice plane. Pictures are a bit confusing to me though, maybe just the angle at what they were taken. Is the wing flat in that shape, or is it a gull-wing?

Thanks for clearing that up for me. The pictures sure played mind games with me earlier!

Looking at the shape of the wing, you might almost assume that the original design had a balance problem, so the wing was shifted back half and inch or so.
Then again, they might have just been trying to cash in on the stylish leading edge design of the Mustang.

Bob,
Since you have a full-on Gilbert plane/engine combo, I'd like for you to entertain a notion please.

You mentioned tank placement. Is the tank centered on the spare bar's jet/hole? I ask because this engine appears to favor a high-mounted tank with the intake port so high.

I just got through reading an older thread about the Gilbert .11, and it was mentioned that an All American Trainer (26") would be an ideal plane for this engine. That plane is a low/mid-wing model with the crank centerline up high in the nose. Considering tanks are "supposed to be" centered on the spray bar, or rather, the center of the venturi where the NVA passes, in this model this leaves little room for a shallow, but long tank above the wing.

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=347

I'm considering modifying the AA to be shoulder-wing with inverted engine and the tank down low. Moving the engine upright, but low so the tank is above the wing will only lead to prop strikes.

What do you think? Your answers regarding Gilbert's OEM solution will be of significant influence.

Oh, and an alternative plane may be to provide Capt Black Hawk another 27" Mosquito, but with upright Gilberts and the tanks ABOVE the wing. He still needs a ride, and I kept the canopy from the last one...just in case. Anyway, that places the tanks centered on the NVA, and gets the tanks away from controls. Even better may be to invert, or sidewind the engines, mount the tanks as appropriate (sidewinders would have the venturies inboard with tanks also inboard) and move controls above the wings  The bonus is I get to use the two Gilberts that fell into my lap.

Thanks in advance.

HIya Bob! You have been rescuing these AC Gilberts, so you might know if this one is worth the asking price. It's on Facebook and ships from Ohio.