The fuel tanks in almost all aircraft are in the wings. They have always been built that way. The designers feel, from several different angles, that it's the best place to have the fuel tanks - simple as that.
in the wings
Fuel is generally stored in tanks built into the wings.
In most modern aircraft they are in the wings.
Fuel is normally stored in the wings of the Boeing 737. directly above the wings on the engine. The fuel takes the shape of the inside of the wing, it is obviously protected.
Jumbo jets have several fuel tanks. The majority of these fuel tanks are located in the wings of the aircraft. Some aircraft may also have auxiliary tanks in the tail or belly. The Douglas (now Boeing) MD11 has a fuel tank in the Elevator(horizontal tail surface) that is used to balance the aircraft to fly at altitude with less drag.
It is stored in two separate tanks. In the shuttle, the external tank(s) hold the two fuels as well as smaller tanks inside the shuttles wings.
Yes, in self sealing cellular fuel tanks so that if a bullet or piece of flak punctures the wing the fuel will stay in the damaged tank.
Fuel on the 747 is stored mostly in the wings. There is a "center wing" tank that is actually underneath the cabin. Some models of the 747-400 also have fuel in the tail.
Because it is a good place too keep them leaving more room for freight in the cetral part of the plane.
Did they ever find It?
Fuel on a Boeing 747 is stored in multiple tanks located in the wings and the center fuselage. The wing tanks are the primary fuel reservoirs, while the center tank, located in the belly of the aircraft, provides additional capacity. This configuration allows for optimal weight distribution and balance during flight. Fuel is pumped from these tanks to the engines as needed.