Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: MBrusilow(at)aol.com
I am really torn by the decision on whether to do the landing gear inall wood or metal.The questions that come to mind are:1. What is the weight difference between all wood and all metal?2. I have the plans for the all wood gear from the 1932 Glider Manual,BUT, how is the axle hooked to the woden frame? I am assuming that therehas to be bungee cord somewhere in the system.3. How much would be sacrificed in cruise speed wood versus metal? Doesit matter?Would sure like to hear some comments from both sides if possible. Ifanyone has a drawing of the axle assembly attachment, or knows where itcan be found, I would appreciate your help. If possible to fax it, sendAttention Ian Holland 807-623-7555.The reasons that I am asking are:1. I like wood2. It could look pretty, different3. I don't weld worth a darn!However, I see more tubes than wood!Help! Please?-=Ian=-________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Ian Holland
> I am really torn by the decision on whether to do the landing gear in> all wood or metal.> > The questions that come to mind are:> > 1. What is the weight difference between all wood and all metal?This depends on what you use. I think it is safe to say that the metal gear is in most instances lighter. Mine has metal gear and I estimate it weighs less than 25lbs from the bottom of the fuse down. I know of another project that has wood legs that weighs 65 pounds.It has a lifting wing between the wheels however which should ofset some of the extra weight. More drag-- but hey. its a piet.> 2. I have the plans for the all wood gear from the 1932 Glider Manual,> BUT, how is the axle hooked to the woden frame? I am assuming that there> has to be bungee cord somewhere in the system.Thats right --its just the bungies. Unless like on some ships you build a square tube and channel affair to provide for brakes and a non rotating axle.> 3. How much would be sacrificed in cruise speed wood versus metal? Does> it matter?> who cares. See above statement on drag.> Would sure like to hear some comments from both sides if possible.I used the steel tube gear because I thought it looked better. I have had second thoughts now that it is all done. I guess I better build a second plane. Either is authentic, and both work. Just pick what you like and build it up. There is lots more welding (obviously) with the steel gear, but I don't think you save time either way.I think that I have seen several different drawings for the straight axle. Very simple if you forget the brakes. I think there were some drawings in the past issuse of the Buckeye Pietenpol Newsletter. I'll have to do some digging for them since I opted for the tube gear.Steve E. ________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: Gary Gower
Steve Eldredge wrote:> Thanks for the input! I had no idea that the weight difference would beso great! Up here we have to comply with a climb test, so the lighterthe better. I like the looks of the wood, but will likely jig up andhave the welding done someone that make two pieces of metal sticktogether properly. I saw a really neat jig that should allow me to dothe work other than the welding. Just curious, did the query on wooden landing gear get on the generalchat list, or to you directly? Even after you said you'd stick me backon, I was getting delivery error messages.The more I think of it, the more I had better try to get to Brodhead in1997. You do allow attendees from out of state/country?Thanks again, the project is starting to move along.> I am really torn by the decision on whether to do the landing gear in> > all wood or metal.> >> > The questions that come to mind are:> >> > 1. What is the weight difference between all wood and all metal?> This depends on what you use. I think it is safe to say that the> metal gear is in most instances lighter. Mine has metal gear and I> estimate it weighs less than 25lbs from the bottom of the fuse down.> I know of another project that has wood legs that weighs 65 pounds.> It has a lifting wing between the wheels however which should ofset> some of the extra weight. More drag-- but hey. its a piet.> > > 2. I have the plans for the all wood gear from the 1932 Glider Manual,> > BUT, how is the axle hooked to the woden frame? I am assuming that there> > has to be bungee cord somewhere in the system.> Thats right --its just the bungies. Unless like on some ships you> build a square tube and channel affair to provide for brakes and a> non rotating axle.> > > 3. How much would be sacrificed in cruise speed wood versus metal? Does> > it matter?> >> who cares. See above statement on drag.> > > Would sure like to hear some comments from both sides if possible.> > I used the steel tube gear because I thought it looked better. I> have had second thoughts now that it is all done. I guess I better> build a second plane. Either is authentic, and both work. Just pick> what you like and build it up. There is lots more welding (obviously)> with the steel gear, but I don't think you save time either way.> > I think that I have seen several different drawings for the straight> axle. Very simple if you forget the brakes. I think there were some> drawings in the past issuse of the Buckeye Pietenpol Newsletter.> I'll have to do some digging for them since I opted for the tube> gear.> > Steve E.>________________________________________________________________________________