anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
06-11-2003, 08:10 PM
#1
anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
Have a 1/4 scale Extra and was trying to figure a way to carry it on top of the car. Thought about using a ski rack. Dont think it would be a problem attaching it. Have to use cushions for the straps to protect it. Just wondered if the wind would hurt it much. Would stay off expressway. Anyone tried something like this? Or do you all think I'm crazy? Someone at my field says he's heard of this, but I haven't.
Dan
Dan
06-11-2003, 10:35 PM
#2
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
I haven't seen it, not sure I've even heard of anyone trying it, but don't see why it wouldn't work. You might want to make sure the tail surfaces are at zero degrees incidence when it's mounted on the roof though. (No sense ripping the tail off at 40 MPH.)
Other than that, this plane is probably capable of flying at 70, so it should tolerate lower speeds on the car.
Dennis-
Other than that, this plane is probably capable of flying at 70, so it should tolerate lower speeds on the car.
Dennis-
06-11-2003, 11:23 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
that's like trailing a bike with training wheels one it behind your car. i suppose, if you are careful, the bike may not fall. i just wouldn't try it. if it falls off with somebody behind you, that might cause an accident. one of the parts you attatched to the car may come off during a quick stop. in your best interrest, i wouldn't. try folding down your back seat. if that doesn't work, try investing in a small flat trailer.
06-11-2003, 11:44 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
If you were to get hit with a direct 20mph wind from the side, it might overload the tail.
I have seen it done but I would go slow. Expect to attract a lot of attention; but nothing beats a puppy for getting chicks.
Tom
I have seen it done but I would go slow. Expect to attract a lot of attention; but nothing beats a puppy for getting chicks.
Tom
06-12-2003, 03:06 AM
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tranport
Hi guys, One of the guys in our club has a 1/3 scale cub he transports with a 2 door Saturn! I wish I had a picture! the plane is as long as the car!
He has 2 foam blocks for the fuse to sit on. places nylon straps around the landing gear, and runs them down through the sunroof. And a piece of yellow nylon rope around the tail and tied to the rear spoiler!
Regards
Mark
He has 2 foam blocks for the fuse to sit on. places nylon straps around the landing gear, and runs them down through the sunroof. And a piece of yellow nylon rope around the tail and tied to the rear spoiler!
Regards
Mark
06-12-2003, 12:54 PM
#8
anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
<-- Hanging head in shame.
Ok, I might as well admit it. I've done this a few times.
I have a luggage rack on top of my Blazer. The backs of the wheel pants slide under the forward luggage rack bar, and the tail rests on a block of foam which is (still, I might add) duct taped to the rear luggage rack bar. Two bungie cords hold it down.
And I drive very slowly, (under 40 mph).
Ok, I might as well admit it. I've done this a few times.
I have a luggage rack on top of my Blazer. The backs of the wheel pants slide under the forward luggage rack bar, and the tail rests on a block of foam which is (still, I might add) duct taped to the rear luggage rack bar. Two bungie cords hold it down.
And I drive very slowly, (under 40 mph).
06-12-2003, 01:36 PM
#9
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car top carrier
Many years ago I was transporting my 60 size Pitts on top of my VW bug....made the trip many times...one day going to the field on the interstate...I noticed more people honking and pointing than usual....arriving at the field. I found the main gear and tail wheel firmly attached to the roof rack................NO AIRPLANE>>>>
06-12-2003, 01:40 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
It should work fine. Just make sure it is firmly attached. Most bikes and luggage carriers weigh much more than our planes. I have wondered about this myself. If you use a bellcrank for the rudder, you may want to make a pin to lock things in place during the drive. I seen a lot of things worse than a plane on top of a car. There was another post about this months ago that may help you.
ML
ML
06-12-2003, 02:13 PM
#11
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kinda unrelated..but funny
A guy in our club had a small S-10 Pickup. WEll on the way to the field he had is new trainer strapped down to the bed of the truck. The bungees either slipped off or broke and the entire assembled airplane was sucked out of the bed and landed in the middle of the road. Of course I am sure that damaged the plane, but what came next really killed it. I full sized Greyhound bus ran right over it. All the wheels on the one side of the bus ran over it. THe only thing left was one WHEEL!!! Everything else was gone, smashed. His wife felt so bad, she told him to go buy a new plane.
I guess the moral is to be sure it is strapped down well, wherever you put it.
I guess the moral is to be sure it is strapped down well, wherever you put it.
06-12-2003, 10:25 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
Jeff,
"His wife felt so bad, she told him to go buy a new plane."
If I could get that deal, I'd scotch tape my old beater to the roof and head for the Interstate!
Tom
"His wife felt so bad, she told him to go buy a new plane."
If I could get that deal, I'd scotch tape my old beater to the roof and head for the Interstate!
Tom
06-13-2003, 05:47 AM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
My question would be why??
------------------------------------
coz it makes people like you ask questions!!!!!!!!!!
i think he did it for a laugh
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coz it makes people like you ask questions!!!!!!!!!!
i think he did it for a laugh
06-13-2003, 11:48 AM
#18
Re: kinda unrelated..but funny
Originally posted by JeffH
His wife felt so bad, she told him to go buy a new plane.
I guess the moral is to be sure it is strapped down well, wherever you put it.
His wife felt so bad, she told him to go buy a new plane.
I guess the moral is to be sure it is strapped down well, wherever you put it.
06-13-2003, 02:49 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
Maybe this is too obvious.
Why not build a 1/4" plywood box that the fuse (and wing for that matter) would fit in. Slope the front of the box for aero dynamics. Your plane would be protected from cross winds/bugs/rocks etc. You could make it strong enough in certain places to realy strap it to your car without worrying about breaking your plane.
You could even make it break down into flat pannels for storage when your not using it.
Why not build a 1/4" plywood box that the fuse (and wing for that matter) would fit in. Slope the front of the box for aero dynamics. Your plane would be protected from cross winds/bugs/rocks etc. You could make it strong enough in certain places to realy strap it to your car without worrying about breaking your plane.
You could even make it break down into flat pannels for storage when your not using it.
06-13-2003, 06:32 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
well, it impresses people becaue it does. like when you launch rockets near a soccer field, you see the players scramble to catch it. when you go flying, and there ar e visitors who were never there before, you have this little dinky plane and their kids say "does that really fly?" and stuff like that. it is just a bit out of the ordinary i guess. except for us, most people don't see them too often
06-13-2003, 06:50 PM
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anybody transport fuselage on top of car?
Daver,
I made a "coffin" to carry planes on top of my car like you described. It's has hollow doors for the top and bottom and thin plywood for the sides. I can knock it down or put it together in 30 minutes with drywall screws. It easily carries 2 planes and 2 helicopters.
Tom
I made a "coffin" to carry planes on top of my car like you described. It's has hollow doors for the top and bottom and thin plywood for the sides. I can knock it down or put it together in 30 minutes with drywall screws. It easily carries 2 planes and 2 helicopters.
Tom
06-20-2003, 08:01 PM
#25
Car topping
This is what I think I'm gonna try. Plane wont budge. With the towels, I donk think I am putting any pressure on it with the straps. Think it should work. Will just stay off the highway. Also, think I'll double up the straps just in case one should snap. Their rated at 300lbs. each, so I cant see one snapping. But you never know.
Dan
Dan