Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank construction for the type of fuel tank which is fabricated by joining a split cylindrical center section with two conical end sections and which is disassembled during shipment and storage. The center section is joined together by a connecting plate which maintains a gap between the joined ends at a fixed, predetermined width for optimum sealing effectiveness of an interposed elastomeric seal. Owing to the manner of construction, the seal may be seated and then visually inspected for potential leakage before the center section is joined. Leakage at the interface of each end section seal with the center section seal is avoided during expansion or contraction of the center section seal by the center seal being suitably positioned to slide over the end seal during such movement. The tank is free from drag-producing obstructions as all joints are flush with the surface of the tank.