Landing gear covering

[Laz]

I am in the process of covering my landing gear. I have seen several different methods, but was wondering what the original factory way was.

Some do not cover the top of the gear that is inside under the seat.
Some do not cover the gear all the way down to the bottom.
Some cover everything.

Any help would be appreciated. I am on a mission to finish this project this summer.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Landing gear covering

The old pictures I had showed the top of the triangle that fits on the bottom of the fuselage uncovered (covered on the outside surface only). It makes it very easy to look at the tubes on an annual and clean out the little bits of trash that collect in there.
On the legs themselves the fabric covers both sides with the top edge open front to rear. At the bottom mine has cut segments of inspection rings to support the fabric so the bottom is open. You will find that open top catches anything you drop and funnels it through the open bottom. If you drop something, look just inside the wheel. That's where the "funnel" will drop it.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Landing gear covering

Mine has a pice of Pine that is wedge shaped and coped at the rear of the rear tube of the leg, it make a nice aero dynamic shape but I dont know if it is original. Tim

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Landing gear covering

NEVER seen a piece of wood on the gear! Where is it? In the rectangular gap at the top between the gear lugs?
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Landing gear covering

It is on the trailing edge of the rear leg, when it is covered it gives an aerodymanic shape to the gearlegs. It was on it when I bought the airplane.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Landing gear covering

OK, I have NEVER seen that! Someone may have been making "improvements" that weren't authorized. I doubt it will improve performance or be dangerous, but if your IA knows it isn't supposed to be there he may make you take them off. I would remove them if you need to recover or repaint the gear leg unless someone on the group knows they were original. I can't believe I could miss something like that.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Landing gear covering

That is what is nice about being my own IA, its a minor IMHO. Tim

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Landing gear covering

That is what is nice about being my own IA, its a minor IMHO. Tim

Sure sure............rub it in!

By the way I have never seen that either. My 41 and the 46 we are covering has a wire across the top of the V. The fabric goes up and over to close the top in. The bottom is left open. Then there is one stitch in the middle to cut down drumming.
Larry

[Laz]

Re: Landing gear covering

Thaks to everyone. Does anyone have pictures on how to handle the bottom ? How far past the brake arm do you go down?

[Robert Lees]

Re: Landing gear covering

This far?

[astjp2]

Re: Landing gear covering

Here is my version of a wheel alignment. It also shows the rear tube with the wood extension. And my 1.5" axle adapter with disc brakes. Tim

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Landing gear covering

This far?

Yes! and if the slight pucker in the fabric is annoying to you, just dope in a stiffener such as a strip of 1/16 plywood, flat piece of plastic sheet, or a bit of .015 aluminum.

[Laz]

Re: Landing gear covering

I am trying to figure where the Return spring on the bottom of the bellcrank ataches to the gear leg? Myine were lost and I am also looking for that spring

[mulwyk]

Re: Landing gear covering

My gear leg bottom doesn't have an aluminum or plywood backing (wish I would've thought of that) instead I added a semi-circle fabric patch across the bottom and then covered over that with a strip of 2" tape. The resulting triple layer of fabric makes it quite stiff.

The brake return spring from the bellcrank attaches to a tiny hole in the web at the bottom aft inboard side of the gear leg. Look close the hole is probably full of crud or old paint. If you can't find it, I have a not-so-good photo I can post.

I got my springs from Ace Hardware Aerospace Spring Dept. They're 3/8" diameter and (looks like) about 2" long.

[Laz]

Re: Landing gear covering

Thanks to all I found the small hole for the return spring. I will purchase the offical spring from the Ace taylorcraft store here in Ohio. I sure miss the good old days ( 1970 ) when I could drive to Alliance and buy one off the shelf from Mr and Mrs Ferris.