Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

[mike lutz]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

When I sent in my original struts to Wag-Aero for my 40-bl65 as I stated in a earlier post, I also bought a new complete set from Wag for a 41-bc65 I was working on. I was VERY happy with the new Wag struts. For instance the rear struts were the same outside dim. as my pre-war rears, but were alittle heavier in weight. (thicker wall). And the front tube size is the same as Super Cub (I was told by Wag) , and amounted to the new ones being aprox 3/16 thicker, and just slightly heavier than my 40 front struts. The fit was great. I have a couple friends with other makes of new struts, and theirs are much bigger in physical size. The one buddy that got his from some place way up north put them on his bc-12d and the angle they are at is not very lined up in the slip stream and are plowing air, He told me he lost 7 mph after putting those on. I couldn't notice ANY difference with the Wag-Aero new struts. I,m not knocking any manufactures struts, just relaying facts we have had out here in the field here. I,m sure others have had other results than mine, but out of seven T-crafts in this area it appears to be conclusive. Just my two cents worth.

[PA1195]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Has your friend with the strut issues contacted the manufacturer?...likely http://www.airframesalaska.com/TaylorCraft-s/1859.htm They may be able to help rectify the problem if it's due to their manufacturing process, and would likely want to know of any discrepancy in conformity.

I have a similar set produced by the former STC holder (http://www.airforms.biz) and have not noticed a drag or offset/twist problem, but am not saying it can't or didn't happen. The ears are perpendicular to the chord of the struts and offset as required to fit the lower an upper fittings. There are two offsets available for the upper front strut fitting. Unless his aircraft's fuselage and wing attachments are atypical they should fit and perform as original. Mine are a couple of pounds lighter than the pre-war originals, yet are wider and stronger especially the rear strut that's prone to collapse under heavy snow load or with a strong tailwind while parked.

Gary

[Guest]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Has your friend with the strut issues contacted the manufacturer?...likely http://www.airframesalaska.com/TaylorCraft-s/1859.htm They may be able to help rectify the problem if it's due to their manufacturing process, and would likely want to know of any discrepancy in conformity.

I have a similar set produced by the former STC holder (http://www.airforms.biz) and have not noticed a drag or offset/twist problem, but am not saying it can't or didn't happen. The ears are perpendicular to the chord of the struts and offset as required to fit the lower an upper fittings. There are two offsets available for the upper front strut fitting. Unless his aircraft's fuselage and wing attachments are atypical they should fit and perform as original. Mine are a couple of pounds lighter than the pre-war originals, yet are wider and stronger especially the rear strut that's prone to collapse under heavy snow load or with a strong tailwind while parked.

Gary

Gary,
I am not disputing the text in red. I recognize that it has been a problem.

What are your thoughts on this; I cannot think of any reason for so called angular variation ( I called it that ) other than struts are being made from different width tubing and each is not referencing the "center line" the same way.

Generally it makes no sense to me that 2 angles can be observed unless something like what I said is going on.

Dave

[PA1195]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

Hello Dave. Here's a link to the front strut offset noted by http://www.airframesalaska.com/v/vsp...craftangle.pdf in their installation instructions. I'm unaware of any major cause for the variation, but did contact Jason at Airframes this morning regarding the question ([email protected]). Others may wish to do the same to obtain further clarification.

Edit: I did send Jason a link to this Thread topic should he wish to review or reply at some point.

Basically he noted that there was about a 2% chance that the front strut would need to be the larger 8* offset to properly fit, the remainder were normally within the 0-4* range. He suggested it was due to airframe and wing tolerances, possibly created at original build or during later repairs to either the longeron/strut fitting or wing attach fitting. Again he may be able to explain the variation better than I can.

As far as different width tubing, well the original and new widths vary (newer are wider front and rear I believe) and the tubing is 4130 vs 1025 according to Jason.

So I have no definitive answer other than to say a bend here or there may cause problems, perhaps noticed more on wider streamlined strut stock than the original rounder parts.

Gary (I have no vested interest in either Airforms or Airframes Alaska)

[PA1195]

Re: Got struts back on today. Inspection info...

I looked at four T-Crafts today...mine, an earlier model (Eddie's) , and two F-19's. The lift struts were similarly aligned fore and aft on all, but except mine I don't know the strut manufacturer of the others.

If I had lost significant airspeed after installing STC'd struts from Airframes Alaska I make sure I'd followed their recommendation to measure before and after these dimensions:

http://www.airframesalaska.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/Tcaftinstall.pdf

If there was still a problem with airspeed I'd adjust the wing washout to provide proper stall behavior consistent with minimal trim offset from neutral in flight at a normal loading configuration.

Gary