LANDING GEAR
TUE 09SEP14 Middlebury, CT
After reviewing the landing gear designs of Flying Fleas, I settled on the external, spring-shock-mounted style. I think that by placing the springs on the outside of the tubes and with larger (than wheelbarrow) tires with exposed spoke wheels, I'll have more of the vintage look I want. We've welded up the brackets to the upper tube that connects to the fuselage, and now I'm just trying to find some suitable shock springs that are of the right compression strength (but not too strong, as this is a light aircraft) and dimensions. That's proving to be as much a search as finding the right size and look of wheel and tire. I'll soon post some pictures of my progress in this area, including any helpful links.
After reviewing the landing gear designs of Flying Fleas, I settled on the external, spring-shock-mounted style. I think that by placing the springs on the outside of the tubes and with larger (than wheelbarrow) tires with exposed spoke wheels, I'll have more of the vintage look I want. We've welded up the brackets to the upper tube that connects to the fuselage, and now I'm just trying to find some suitable shock springs that are of the right compression strength (but not too strong, as this is a light aircraft) and dimensions. That's proving to be as much a search as finding the right size and look of wheel and tire. I'll soon post some pictures of my progress in this area, including any helpful links.
TUE 25NOV2014 - Middlebury, CT
About a month ago I finished the tailskid. Ed and I are working on the main gear with springer shocks- should have photos soon!
About a month ago I finished the tailskid. Ed and I are working on the main gear with springer shocks- should have photos soon!
SUN 07DEC2014 - Middlebury, CT
Today Ed and I really got stuck into the landing gear for the plane- mostly because it's getting cumbersome enough that I prefer to roll it around than carry it! Keep an eye out on the Wing section soon- friend Tony Moore has performed CAD on a bunch of brackets- we'll waterjet those soon!