IAFF 21 Pipeman

My Feedback: (5)

Hi-

I bought an Astro Hog from a club member late last year and flew the heck out of it. Well, as a used plane it flew great and is sound as heck. I would like to recover the plane and possibly convert it to a tail dragger. Does anyone know where the new CG would be and where would I put the new landing gear? Any help, suggestions, photos etc would be appreciated.

Thanks,


D. D. Jones

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

D.D.
The new CG should be in the same place as the existing one.

You want the mains set up so that the center of the wheels is about at the leading edge of the bottom wing (or slightly back from that point). Too far back will result in nose overs.
Dennis-

IAFF 21 Pipeman

My Feedback: (5)

Dennis-

Then, if I follow your advice, I assume the mains will still be attached to the bottom of the wing. How do you propose I adhere the gear to the bottom of the wing? I have a few ideas but I am not sure.

I look forward to your response.


Sincerely,

Dennis Jones

DBCherry

My Feedback: (4)

You'd actually be better off moving the gear to the fuselage, and mounting it just in front of the wing.

There should be room in the bottom of the fuse, under the tank, to add a 1/4 inch plywood plate. You'll want to use 30 minute epoxy to mount it, then add balsa triangle stock between the ply plate and the fuse sides to strengthen it.

Drill holes and install blind nuts to mount "Dural" type aluminum gear.

Hope the explanation makes sense.
Dennis-

huggins

Assuming you Hog is like mine, there are actually notches die cut into the ribs for both trike and taildragger configuration. Open the notches and move the grooved blocks to the front set. Obviously, you will have to pull the front sheeting off. Not to bad to do if you have the covering off, but still a little work. I can't remember for sure, but I think the gear for the taildragger is a little longer than the trike gear. Anyway, I like the looks of the Hog with the wing mounted gear much better that a fuse mounted gear. However, I have seen them both ways. To each his own. Here is mine.

Mike

IAFF 21 Pipeman

My Feedback: (5)

Dennis and Mike-

Thanks for the great advice!!! The photos help a great deal too!!! Once I get to doing the project, this afternoon hopefully, I'll check to see how the previous owner constructed the wing and the fuse to see what would be the best alternative!!!

Mike-

Nice looking plane by the way!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks,

Dennis Jones

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Mike, that is one good looking Hog.....

Jerry

huggins

Dennis and Jerry,

Thanks!

Mike

rctrax

I have a Hog that is a taildragger and I mounted the gear on the fus directly in front of the wing You can turn the dural gear backwards to make the axles come closer to the wing L.E. I always put the axle about 1" ahead of the L.E.. I know somone is going to say that is wrong but that's whare I put it and It works just fine. Any further back and it's going to nose over. I build taildraggers all the time and set them all up this way.