#16 Rocket Fuel | Revel Architecture + Design & Millworks Solutions

ROCKET FUEL ::
Taking salvaged aircraft material & putting it back into flight!

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Together, the Revel Architecture & Design and Millworks Solutions team designed and built a truly one-of-a-kind wine bar dripping with character. The concept sees the transformation from an aviation “Tip Tank” commonly used on small airplanes such as Beech Model aircrafts, into a wine-bar.

Inspired from a rocket perched on it’s launchpad. this transformation, dubbed “Rocket Fuel” has three spacious shelves which wrap the body of
the tank and are reinforced using steel arms that stem from the back spine.

The spine does all the heavy lifting and suspends the tank above the ground using a large steel baseplate for stability. What we are left with is a functional piece of art with a unique story to tell.

The Piece

What is a Tip Tank? Some aircraft designs feature fixed tip tanks mounted at the end of each wing. The weight of the tanks and fuel counteract wing bending loads, enhance overall stability, and lower landing speeds.

The Tip Tank used for “Rocket Fuel” features a data tag indicating the part number, serial number and manufacturer; Beryl D’Shannon Aviation Specialties. Research uncovered a certificate containing the part number, RB4-100, and a list of which aircraft it could be used for.

A call to the manufacturer also confirmed the age of the part (a hot young 40 something) which backs up the dates stated on the certificate.

The Process

Inspired by a project a Reveler had previously completed, and noticing a similarity in shape, the concept of creating a rocket was pitched. The idea
was an instant hit and we began exploring various ways the rocket would stand and what it’s function would become.

Original concepts saw us cutting into the tank itself but were quickly abandoned due to potential safety issues that could arise from sparks flying around old fuel cells (no premature rocket launches, please).

So, with all our limbs intact, we shifted focus on developing a shelving
system that would wrap the tank and utilize the back cavity of the
piece as the support which connects it to the ground and acts as an
anchor of stability.
This is when we began collaborations with the Millwork Solutions team. Their team provided indispensable skills, knowledge of materials, constructability, and creativity as we moved into the construction of the Rocket.

The remaining materials used to build “Rocket Fuel” were objects looking for a new life from around the Millworks shop. FSC certified wood create the three shelves while recycled steel parts from an old shop machine make the base and spine. By utilizing materials already on hand the design added just the cost of paint to the original $100 spent on the Tip Tank which had been acquired via Craiglist.

Using an image of a rocket on it’s launchpad helped generate what components would be helpful in constructing Rocket Fuel.

The Result

The final design for Rocket Fuel is both playful and functional and has a story unmatched by any other. And because 100% of the material used was scrap from various locations and dark corners of wood shops and airplane hangers, it’s safe to say this Rocket has more than just one story to tell.

We could go on and on about how much fun we had building it, or how much character it is going to bring to the space as it stands tall through it’s next iteration in life, but a picture is worth 1,000 words, and the video, I’m sure, is worth even more.

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