Orginal Wheel Pants

[Jim Herpst]

I just purchased some original Taylorcraft Wheel Pants. The person selling them said they had the attachment hardware with them, which was true, only the hardware is obviously for new Fiberglass wheel pants for a B series Taylorcraft. So that being said any body have the original hardware ? For sale or loan for me to copy and have them made ?. If not that then some pictures with dimensions so I can get some made up (including the "wing" on the exterior side.) Thank you ! Jim

[Hank Jarrett]

There are a couple of types of original attach fittings i have seen (and have). This is the first and as far as I know earliest. It is cast aluminum and in my opinion a mass of cracks in loose formation. I DO NOT TRUST THEM. That is the bad news. The good news it they look great and "should" be reproducible with a welded bracket with a GRP or vac formed shell over them. They would be slightly larger and unless someone was holding an original next to them no one would know.

[Hank Jarrett]

OK, this is frustrating. Just went through my photo files and can't find a pic of the welded up brackets. They are solid and reliable, but look like CR*P! Probably why I didn't take a picture of them. They are made up of welded up pieces of flat stock and ugly as sin. If you are interested in making brackets it would be a good project, but right now wheel pants are kind of off my RADAR. Let me know if you are interested in a winter cold weather project. I also have a drawing of hte "bird wing" that goes on the outside of the pants and will post it as soon as I find it. I took an AWFUL LOT of photos while working on my planes! I need a long winter to sort them. ;-)

[Hank Jarrett]

Found a pant bird (not mine, but just like mine). Still looking for the drawing but you should be able to scale from the traced one with the dimensions.

[Scott]

Here's a drawing of the flyers I made (slightly oversize to address small issues left by originals):

https://vb.taylorcraft.org/forum/taylorcraft/everyday-taylorcraft-discussion/12221-wheel-pant-flyers

I think the cast ones are magnesium done by Wellcast, the same company that did the magnesium aileron hinges. The welded steel versions were used by the factory but not sure when. Welded aileron hinges predated the cast versions, wonder if there were welded wheel pant mounts during that era as well.

Just in case.... post war pants are welded along the center joint and the weldment is covered with an aluminum extrusion held in place with Pk screws. Prewar pants are joined by a formed flange.

I was never able to find specific reference to the flyers in any drawings or parts catalogs so can't say which model aircraft they appeared on. They do appear in old photos of BC12D models.

[Jim Herpst]

Hank and Scott, Thank you both for the excellent responses! They are going ( after restoration) on my fathers 1946 that I have been chasing for 27 years. Scott, The pants I have are indeed post war with (thankfully at least) good extrusions . Wings can indeed be made! Hank YES I do want to take on making some up. I have a friend that is also in aviation that owns a fab/machine works shop. I have another friend who is great with Carbon Fiber. My thought is to make welded brackets with a carbon fiber cover. I do not know if the demand is much (read few have original pants BUT) however while doing them would be willing to do up extras. I am down in Columbia SC. Thanks again

[Hank Jarrett]

Thanks for the drawing Scott. I have added to to my "stolen drawings" file! At least now i put the originators name on them. ;-) Jim....I think I will be interested in making some pant brackets later, just need to get my baby back in the air first and pants aren't required to fly. Right now I only put them on for show. I will look for the brackets for you if you want to copy them or I can make drawings.

[Jim Herpst]

Thanks for the drawing Scott. I have added to to my "stolen drawings" file! At least now i put the originators name on them. ;-) Jim....I think I will be interested in making some pant brackets later, just need to get my baby back in the air first and pants aren't required to fly. Right now I only put them on for show. I will look for the brackets for you if you want to copy them or I can make drawings.

PMD you Hank

[Ryan]

The welded up brackets that Hank speaks of can be purchased new from wag aero if you are in a hurray. They were around $120 last I checked. More important they come with the outside hardware to secure the outside of the wheelpant to the axel. I made my wings up from aluminum but I suggest something stronger as they are a doubler to support the weight of the pant and help with vibration. We had to rivet bit of steel on the pants to keep the holes from wearing.

[Ryan]

you can see the brackets in this pic. Best I had with me right now lol

[Jim Herpst]

Ryan, I have the brackets you are describing. The outside one should work. The inside brackets do not fit up to my wheel pants. Could be I am missing metal on the inside of the wheel pant as the brackets come in beyond the wheel pant .. not totally but at least one third of the bracket. The ones Hank has should solve the mystery. Ryan if you could next time around your plane snap a pic of your as mounted on the inside it would be helpful. I am tryin to get some parts and some of the smaller jobs done first .

[Ryan]

I will do that Jim. In the mean time here is a photo of the back of my pants before mounting and MAYBE a better one of the bracket. I will get closeups this weekend

[Jim Herpst]

I will do that Jim. In the mean time here is a photo of the back of my pants before mounting and MAYBE a better one of the bracket. I will get closeups this weekend

Thank you Ryan, I see a little better on these. Please do when you have a chance shoot a close up. I am beginning to see I may (probably) am missing some metal on the pants.

[Scott]

Details on my wheel pant odyssey can be found here: http://c-fclr.blogspot.com/p/landing-gear-and.html
including info on the mounts I made.

[Jim Herpst]

Ryan and Scott . When I saw your pictures I now realize the backside cut out on ya alls (sorrry SC talk) that slides over the gear on mine ,Much of that area has been butchered away. The WAG aero hardware will work ! I see that with yours Ryan and with what Scott made up (nice work as always Scott ) Two things realize I need a template sketch (trace) of that opening when some next has their Pants off ( Not I did not say down for the sickos!) (Hank how are yours? ) Ryan how does the outside hardware attach.? I have what appear to be two tubes with a circle flange attached and a small threaded hole for screws in the middle of the circle flange (missing the screws but no matter.) I presume the long tubes some how go into the axle but see no attach point there and also the small screw attach does not seem near enough where it secures to the pant (I am guessing).. I will send along pics. Could be I am missing something (Not unusual for me...) or at least a few parts