Looking for wheel pant mounts

[Ldandu03]

With the purchase of a 1950 Tcraft I have a set of wheel pants. I’m not sure exactly what they came off of however I’d like to install them on this aircraft. Any help would be appreciated.
Larry

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Beware the cast pant mounts. If you find a set INSPECT THEM WELL looking for cracks. The welded ones don't look nearly as nice, but at least you don't get the thrill of landing on a pant that isn't fully attached to the strut anymore.

If you DO find cast ones that are cracked don't trash them. I have one and have been trying to design a machined mount that a resin "cover" can go on to look like original but not suffer from crack failures. It is a long term back burner project, so don't hold your breath waiting for them. I also have a good welded set, but rarely put the pants on. They look really nice for Glamor Photos, but aren't really worth the trouble to me.

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Here's a copy of the fuselage prints. Note the wheel pants and mounts.

Gary

[NC36061]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Hi Larry,

The wheel pants you have are for a post-war Taylorcraft. The trim piece would originally have been left unpainted. Cast aluminum mounting brackets are impossible to find, and like Hank said, are broken or cracked, or will become so if used. Best bet is to weld up some steel plate and channel to mount the pant to the gear leg. Do you have the axle nuts for mounting them?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

If you need a drawing for the welded mounts I have one somewhere in "the mess" here. As I said, the welded ones are "Butt Ugly" but pretty hard to see between the gear leg and pant. These are photos of the cast mount I have. As I also said, I WOULD NOT ever use them on a flying plane. They DO look pretty good if you are just putting
the pants on for a static display at a fly in.

Hank

[PA1195]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Being an inventor I'd consider taking two pieces of aluminum angle (maybe 2x2x1/8" thick or whatever size works) and bolt one ear of the angles to the pants. Drill and sandwich the other ears under the head and nut of the lower strut bolt. Longer bolt of course. Screw the outside of the pants to the threaded inside of the hollow axle.

Fly and go faster.

Gary

[Ldandu03]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

That sounds like a great idea as the bolt pattern of the cast mount appears to have 6 holes for the pant and these pants have a 4 bolt pattern.
Thank you,
Larry

[Ldandu03]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

If you need a drawing for the welded mounts I have one somewhere in "the mess" here. As I said, the welded ones are "Butt Ugly" but pretty hard to see between the gear leg and pant. These are photos of the cast mount I have. As I also said, I WOULD NOT ever use them on a flying plane. They DO look pretty good if you are just putting
the pants on for a static display at a fly in.

Hank

Thanks Hank, one other question these pants have a wire retainer clip on the inside behind each bolt hole. Do you know what kind of fasteners I should use?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Sounds like maybe someone was using a quarter turn fastener to mount the pants (which would be great if you just put them on for show and don't fly that way). I would NOT mount a wheel pant with Dzuse fasteners (or any other quick release fastener!), they need to be BOLTED on and have reliable safety devices. Landing on a wheel pant that is partly off or rotated under the tire would NOT be a fun time.

Hank

[3Dreaming]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Sounds like a Dzus fastener.

[PA1195]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

That sounds like a great idea as the bolt pattern of the cast mount appears to have 6 holes for the pant and these pants have a 4 bolt pattern.
Thank you,
Larry

Hard to tell what will fit and some final shaping and grinding of the angle brackets will probably be required. Maybe let us know how it ends up and what speed improvement you see?

Get out for a scoot on that Harley in the pics for the 4th holiday. I sold my Deluxe and went dark side BMW recently.

Gary

[Ryan]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Wag aero sells them. Welded inner brackets and a bracket that fits in axle for outside of pant. They sell it as a kit.

[Ryan]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

I also have the drawing for the little wings if you want. I can email it if you PM me.

[PA1195]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Wag aero sells them. Welded inner brackets and a bracket that fits in axle for outside of pant. They sell it as a kit.

Hey good find! https://www.wagaero.com/model-specif...faa-pma-d.html

Gary

[M Jones]

Re: Looking for wheel pant mounts

Larry, I have a new set of these Wag mounts, but based on your pictures and comments about being 4 hole mounts, they won't work for you out of the box. Maybe they could be re-drilled to fit your pattern, assuming the hole spacing you need is not too wide. They're about 6 3/8" long.