rossmick

After a long delay, I have returned to install the Sierra gear in the P51. I really burnt out fighting the Century Jet electric gear install so I got a Giant Stik, put a new DA-35 in it and coupled it up to my new JR 28X radio. Been flying the Stik and having a great time, but now it is time to get the P51 finished.

Old electric gear out and the Sierra gear in.

Photo 1 - 5 show the main gear installed in the wing. I made new nut plates which are 1/8" alum, drilled and tapped. The nut plates mount under the alum angle that the gear sets on. The extended forward bolt location will require an epoxied hard wood block and a 3/4" screw to add additional strength to the gear for those less than perfect landings. Running the air lines in through the wing proved to be an interesting endeavor, but with a string and a washer tied on the end was able to feed through the wing, Then I attached a yellow Nyrod to the string and pulled it through. Once I had the Nyrod pulled through I attached the air lines to it and pulled the lines through. One lesson learned was to leave yourself 4 to 6 " of extra air line for that moment when you have to remove the gear for repair or adjustment. Air install is pretty much standard with a air gauge, filler port, tank and control value. It took 6 "T"s and two removable connectors to get it all hooked up, photos next time.


Photos 6 - 12 The tail wheel install was a complete tear out and start over for the Sierra tail wheel. I got the gear and servo mounted on the mounting plate and then wired the the servo pull pull wires up to the control horn. Many trial attempts were accomplished to get the clearance required by the servo control horn and the fuselage . As the tail wheel retracts forward the colored air lines had to be reversed from the pattern on the main gear to get the tail wheel to retract with the mains.