re: belly landings & engines damage

SuperDave Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:45 pm

As with the "Lil Satan", there is no doubt that eliminating a landing gear creatres less drag and thus improves flight performance. Attendant is the potential for engine damage upon landing. Even when hand launched a gearless aircraft is best landed on a forgiving surface like grass rather than pavement.\

To do otherwise is to risk engine damage.

I once has a Class C gearless "Stunt Wagon" which I launched from a dolly off pavement with the thought in mind of the landing to come. Before the flight I selected a soft landing area with that thought in mind. Though it often meant stepping out of the established flying circle slightly, the result was worth the forethought.

SD
Older 'n dirt

Kim Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:27 pm

Many combat planes have a crescent-shaped ply skid beneath the engine to protect it (you can inset a wire along it's edge ).

You can also attach single gear wire and plywood wheel (spun on a dremel tool, and "petrified" with CA) with no real depreciation in performance. A tiny wire skid on the outermost rib and rear elevator strut will provide protection from the pavement.

I've got a completely finished 1968 "Winder" combat plane (McCoy .35 power) that's gonna have a small belly wheel attached, because I'm hesitant to have one of my buddies hand-launch it. I want to use my non-human "launching stooge" so that I don't perform an instant vasectomy on one of my pals!

re: belly landings & engines damage Winder10

re: belly landings & engines damage Winder10

SuperDave Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:40 pm

OMG! A genuine "McCoy Redhead .35! Haven't seen one in years.

When they first came out I rember buying one for $4.95 brand new and flew it in CL stunt compeitions at Sand Point, NAS in Seattle. That engine went on to power a series of Sterling "Ringmasters" in CL combat events too.

The end came when the crank became so loose in the crankcase you could see the prop wobble when the engine was running. It served yoman service in my early days as a CL pilot.

I may have even tossed it when we moved. It returned every penny and more than I had invested in it.

SD

Kim Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:50 pm

Yeah, I've got another "Redhead" from youth that's got a "wobbly" crank! When I bought it with lawnmowing money, the fact that they were considered "economical" engines was lost on me! I STILL thought it cost plenty enough !

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re: belly landings & engines damage

re: belly landings & engines damage

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Re: re: belly landings & engines damage

Re: re: belly landings & engines damage

Re: re: belly landings & engines damage