Orginal Wheel Pants

[Hank Jarrett]

When i go to look for the attach hardware (and all the other stuff guys are waiting for) I will grab a couple of pants too. I can trace the openings since my pants aren't on the plane now anyway.

[Jim Herpst]

Scott,

Once again a picture is a thousand words.The hardwarebI have for the outside is not correct. I don't know what is is from however not thik enough shank to accept a bolt!!

[Scott]

These are the outboard mounts that slide into the axle:
AN4 bolt through the center of the flyer attaches it to the pant.

Oh and you need 6ea 10-32 nutplates installed on each pant for the inboard mounts.

DSCN4350s.jpg

[Jim Herpst]

Scott, so clear even a cave man like me understands. Think though I am missing a piece of hardware. The little threaded hole fitting against the pant now has me perplexed

[Scott]

The outboard mount slides into the axle. Assemble the first time with the cotterpin removed from the wheel nut. Mark the natural position of the mount in the axle (ensuring the pant is clear of the tire), then dismantle everything.

Now put the o/b mount in the axle up to your mark and use a drill bit to mark the tube mount from each side through the cotterpin holes. Drill the mount tube on the bench or drill press so you don't damage the axle. I drilled them slightly over size so it's easier to install the Cotterpin.

The aluminum used to make the pants is very soft so all the mount locations will be messed up. The original doublers were not much better. You'll see I cut out all the damaged soft material and replaced with 2024T3. I also replaced all the doublers with new larger versions made from 2024T3 (032" for all except the flyer which was 040"). You'll need to install the pants and adjust their "angle of incidence" then mark the inboard mount hole locations. Remember the pants should line up with the airflow while in cruise so it may help to level the aircraft when positioning the pants.

I also put 3/32"" rubber/silicone baffle material between the steel mounts and aluminium pants to prevent chafe.

like I said..... An odyssey !

Oh and this year I replaced the structural washer-head screws with AN3 bolts for the sake of authenticity.

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[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

[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]

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.

[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]

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]

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

[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.

[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

[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]

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