Go Back  RCU Forums > RC Airplanes > Questions and Answers
Reload this Page >

Nose gear placement

Notices
Questions and Answers If you have general RC questions or answers discuss it here.

Nose gear placement

Old 07-02-2012, 05:25 AM
  #1  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default Nose gear placement

If the nose gear is moved back a bit, does it affect the plane in any way? To convert the T-34 to glow, the motor mount is moved back almost 2 inches, which was also where the nose gear attached. I can move the nose gear forward a bit, there is room behind the engine, but not sure how strong a mount I can make for it. Would it still work OK if it was a inch back from the original location? I can attach it with a good strong backing with good clearance from the engine if it will.
Old 07-02-2012, 07:53 AM
  #2  
big max 1935
Senior Member
My Feedback: (9)
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: huron s.d.
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Why not use a combination motor & nose gear mount ? Should not be too hard to do. Max
Old 07-02-2012, 11:21 AM
  #3  
countilaw
 
countilaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Grand Prairie, TX
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Moving the nose gear back 2 inches will have a drastic effect on steering. It is possible that it make your take offs and landing very hairy.

Frank
Old 07-02-2012, 11:55 AM
  #4  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

In that case, maybe a longer nose gear strut and  angle it forward so the wheel sits in the normal spot. Heh a winged Chopper!   I just dont want the bracket sitting against the engine were it either affects the flow of air, or worse, melts.
Old 07-02-2012, 01:39 PM
  #5  
SeamusG
Senior Member
 
SeamusG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 3,919
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Is the T-34 set up for either electric OR glow from the manufacturer? If so, then I would hazard a guess that it will be just fine otherwise the manufacture would toss in a warning and alternative method for mounting the nose gear.

What's the main gear width and how forward of the main gear will the new nose gear be? My LT-40 is 14.5" and 11.5".
Old 07-02-2012, 03:29 PM
  #6  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Its electric only.  I think I can get the gear within 1/2" of stock, I just need a strong mount for it that doesn't weigh a ton. I need to find my scale and weigh the parts and pack I took off and compare to what I am putting on. I think the magnum is a touch lighter than the OS 52 I was going to put on, and that one came in within an ounce of what was removed. The additional servo and rx pack should counter any extra weight from the build out.
Old 07-02-2012, 06:42 PM
  #7  
big max 1935
Senior Member
My Feedback: (9)
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: huron s.d.
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Nose gear placement

I think you are going to need to beef up the firewall & maybe the nose area for a glow engine . A lite-ply firewall just won't cut it . I still say use a mount that will take a nose gear or drill a Dave Brown one for the strut . Nothing will melt by using a glow engine .Good luck, Max
Old 07-02-2012, 07:03 PM
  #8  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Beefed!
Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Ca80716.jpg
Views:	16
Size:	353.0 KB
ID:	1778052   Click image for larger version

Name:	Ql35531.jpg
Views:	18
Size:	51.5 KB
ID:	1778053  
Old 07-02-2012, 08:14 PM
  #9  
JohnBuckner
My Feedback: (1)
 
JohnBuckner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 10,441
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

When you shorten the effective wheelbase the most notible effect will be directional instability during takeoff something that is exacerbated by the large fourstroke.

The takeoff problems can be avoided simply by using a racing launch just like the popular warbird pylon racing. Actually various T-34's with vastly over sized four strokes are popular in this type of pylon.

The launch method is not the typical slow throttle up which allows things to get out of hand, instead the caller typically positions the airplane in the t/o position and the pilot runs up the engine to half or as much as full power. The pilot sets full right rudder and postions the elevator where needed. Then and only then the pilot nods for releast to the caller. This is a far safer and easier method to launch any airplane that may have directional problems on takeoff and particularly ones with vastly oversized engines.

Neat project

John
Old 07-02-2012, 08:27 PM
  #10  
big max 1935
Senior Member
My Feedback: (9)
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: huron s.d.
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Nose gear placement

OK! Fixed gear I guess. Try Tower or local hobby shop for DUBRO LXD892 or LXD846. You can also use a Robart fake plastic gear cover for more scale look. Your pictures helped ! Max
Old 07-03-2012, 04:57 AM
  #11  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

What I could do is make new mains that bend rearward a 1/2", and the 1/2" set back on the nose gear should equal out. I have seen planes with the nose gear angled forward, but cant recall which one. I'm still working on the platform to mount it to in my head. So far what I have come up with in my minds eye has worked on this mod. Since I used scrap pieces of 1/4" for the mount and just tacked them in place for now, I can adjust the thickness so the spinner to cowlclearanceis right on. The one thing I noticed, when I lined theengineup with the cowl on the bench, it was right on the money, but when I mounted the firewall on the plane with the motor, its slightly off to the upper right. It may just be that itwasn't100% clamped to the fuse too, cant fit the cowl on with the clamps in place.
For mounting the nose gear, still trying to come up with a strong but light design. The original was a box that tied the fuse to motor mount together. I included the picture of the original box, the nose gear is at the top. The fuse internal sides stuck out and ply was glued to them, then the motor/gear mount ply notched in to the sides, and a pice on top and bottom notched into the main firewall and motor mount. Pretty strong, took a really hard nose in landing to break it.

So what Im thinking is two pieces of 1/4" ply, or maybe 3/16" to keep the weight down, notched into the 1/4" firewall on either side of the gear mount, the height of the mount, then angled upwards a bit for more strength, and a 1/4" ply backer notched into the front of the side pieces, with a 3/16" floor piece also notched in for rigidity. I think this should be strong enough to take abusive landings. For some odd reason I land tail draggers much smoother than trikes. Then again both trikes I have are really light electrics, this T-34 being one of them. Even with the glow engine it will be light. I will probably need to add some tail weight because of the added plywood, but the Magnum, mount and tank weigh in right about where the ESC, motor and pack weigh. The RX pack and throttle servo may be enough to offset the plywood, but overall the plane will not weigh much more than it did when I first flew it.

Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version

Name:	Qo40817.jpg
Views:	21
Size:	426.4 KB
ID:	1778137  
Old 07-03-2012, 05:53 AM
  #12  
Jetdesign
My Feedback: (8)
 
Jetdesign's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 7,056
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Moving the mains back will affect the aircraft's rotation as it lifts off. The location of the mains is specifically designed point. Moving the front gear back will affect ground pitch stability (increase chances of nose over). Wire gear is designed to resist axial loads. Bending the gear forward will increase any likely bent gear issues


I think the right thing to do is build a motor box with a place to mount the nose gear. I'm sure there are other ways that might work too. Its up to you if you want to experiment. I'm tired of experiments, I just want to fly planes
Old 07-03-2012, 06:02 AM
  #13  
JohnBuckner
My Feedback: (1)
 
JohnBuckner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Kingman, AZ
Posts: 10,441
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

As noted moving the main gear rearward and further aft of the CG will will increase the force needed to rotate for takeoff and cause takeoff attempts that are characterized by jumping off the ground suddenly and at steep pitch attitudes. This is definately something you do not want to deal with especially with somewhat oversized engines and precisely when there is substancial 'P' factor present which often can result in a snap roll into the ground.


John
Old 07-03-2012, 07:37 AM
  #14  
big max 1935
Senior Member
My Feedback: (9)
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: huron s.d.
Posts: 2,050
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Don't know where I came up with numbers I sent you BUT DUBRO # are 153 & 156 for the nose gear stuff. Sorry , Max []
Old 07-03-2012, 07:54 AM
  #15  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Im reusing the nose gear stuff, so no new parts needed, thanks anyways.   As I looked at it again, the nose gear will be back 1/2" from stock, but also 3/8" lower than stock, so with a slight forward bend, I can place the wheel at stock position and height, so the control will remain the same. 

As it was this plane leaped off the ground after a short roll out, with the gear bent back, I usually bent the gear back from the rough ground during landings, and didn't fix them until I got home, so whether they are straight down, or bent back, its what im used to.  

Where I fly, there is corn at either end of the runway, so take offs are steep, as well as landings. If I dont touch down in front of me and go past, I usually have to go around or I will run off the end into the corn.   Happened to me a few weeks ago with my Kadet, had a dead stick and landed down wind, touched down in front of me, but that bugger just kept on rolling into the corn, thankfully it wasn't very tall. 

Then again, if there is wind, I usually dont need much runway to land the T-34, it can land like a helicopter, dead stop and drop.  
Old 07-03-2012, 09:17 AM
  #16  
Jetdesign
My Feedback: (8)
 
Jetdesign's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Honolulu, HI
Posts: 7,056
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

Gotcha. I was picturing bending the gear something like parallel to ground. Sounds like you are pretty close though.
Old 07-03-2012, 10:31 AM
  #17  
acdii
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Capron, IL
Posts: 9,996
Received 97 Likes on 88 Posts
Default RE: Nose gear placement

I'll figure it out, the main thing I was concerned about has been answered, and that is what happens if the nose gear is not far enough forward.  Thats the fun of this hobby, figuring things like this out.

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.