Fixed gear vs. retracts

[Rick Wallace]

Randy -

My Elan uses the wing mounted bent wire thing -- 3/16 wire not 5/32- works 
well, no bounce. Mounted in standard blocks just like sport planes.

The strut end of the gear is at about a 60-70 degree angle as ooposed to 
vertical when viewed from the front. -- gives a wider stance and looks 
nicer.

I softened / bent the gear / tempered it -- link to the instructions is
http://www.spmrc.com/tips/HeatTreatingMusicWire.html

Had to try a few times, but the re-tempering finally worked - seems like 
good heat control is the answer here. A learned skill that I'm still working 
on.

Hope this helps.
Rick



>What is the shape U are bending?
>Randy
>
>On Thu, 5 Sep 2002 16:27:09 -0700 Jeff Hughes <jhughes at hsonline.net> wrote:
>
> > Yeah, it costs about $5 for the blocks and a
> > piece of wire. It's a U bend it
> > operation.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: John Ferrell
> > To:
> > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 2:00 PM
> > Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> >
> >
> > > I have been wanting to try that on a
> > Prophecy. The only down side I can
> > see
> > > is the transportation. It should cost a lot
> > less and be much more rugged.
> > >
> > > John Ferrell
> > > 6241 Phillippi Rd
> > > Julian NC 27283
> > > Phone: (336)685-9606
> > > Dixie Competition Products
> > > NSRCA 479 AMA 4190  W8CCW
> > > "My Competition is Not My Enemy"
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Jeff Hughes"
> > > To: ;
> > > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 4:47 PM
> > > Subject: RE: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > The thing all you guys assume is that the
> > only way to have fixed gear
> > > > is in the fuselage. I've got a Jupiter with
> > torsion bar wire gear in
> > > > the wing, and you can't hurt it, no matter
> > what kind of landing you
> > > > make!. It's tough, lite and maintance free.
> > > > Jeff
> > > >
> > > > > I have two identical Hydeouts. Same CG
> > everything, except the U/C.
> > > > >
> > > > > The retract version needs 30% more rudder
> > to KE and struggles over a
> > > > > KE-loop. The fixed gear version requires
> > less rudder for all of the
> > > > > aforementioned.
> > > > >
> > > > > I love the way the fixed gear flies but
> > hat dead stick landings off-
> > > > field
> > > > > and have delaminated my share of legs...
> > Retracts soak up the
> > > > punishment and
> > > > > bounce much much less. However they bend,
> > they break the retract
> > > > plate etc.
> > > > > so you carry the out to runway, and back
> > again.
> > > > >
> > > > > Bottom line - fly fixed gear - get good
> > engine - land slow..
> > > > >
> > > > > Eric.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > > From: Gray E Fowler
> > [mailto:gfowler at raytheon.com]
> > > > > Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 10:38
> > AM
> > > > > To: discussion at nsrca.org
> > > > > Subject: Re: Fixed gear vs. retracts
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > The faster you go the more impact a gear
> > door can have. I would guess
> > > > that
> > > > > at the slower speeds that everyone is
> > attempting, gear door effect is
> > > > > negligible at best.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Gray Fowler
> > > > > Principal Chemical Engineer
> > > > > Composites Engineering
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > CoreComm Webmail.
> > > > http://home.core.com
> > > >
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