Sundownee

My Feedback: (30)

Ok guys, this question may have come up before, but i did a search and did not see any answers. For a front strut with one wheel with offset strut, there is some positive caster built in the strut, ok, now on a straight strut with dual wheels do we want to put some positive caster on the strut, but if I do that, there is a tendency to bend the strut from a harsh landing, yes?. I quess the best way is the keep the strut straight up and down, correct, but what about the caster, as positive caster is a guide in steering.



Paul

GlennisAircraft

My Feedback: (1)

No, you cannot use either positive or negative caster with the dual nosewheels because you will lift one wheel off of the ground when steering - 0 degree caster is the only workable angle with duals.

Dennis

six shooter

You apply caster to lower strut to acheive directional stability, you know, the part below the oleo. You don't want the wheels to have the pivot point as the strut itself.

Ron S

My Feedback: (2)

My book on this stuff is at home - I hope I remember this correctly... You don't want caster in this case, but you do want trail.

Caster is angle of the NLG strut fore/aft.

Trail is the distance from the CL of the strut to the CL of the axle. By moving the axle aft slightly (either bend wire strut aft some at lower portion of strut, or make/use a strut whose axle is moved aft slightly), you will gain steering stability.

six shooter

MY view is whether you trail or lead, it's still caster, as opposed to camber which is tilt in/out or toe in/out.

GlennisAircraft

My Feedback: (1)

I agree with 'Six', the 'trail' (placing axle behind the centerline of the strut itself) is the same as caster and the wheels won't come off of the ground with this set up (like seen on full size F-4 nose)

To be more clear on what I stated - your retract (where the steering pivot passes through) has to be 90 to the surface. The strut doesn't matter above or below the oleo section, if it (the retract) is angled to give caster, the wheels will lift.

Dennis

Sundownee

My Feedback: (30)

HI guys, thanks for all your info, good thing I asked. Here is a pic of what I beleive you all are refering to.

Paul

six shooter

Paul,

Why didn't you just say so in the first place. I've been flying that plane you showed in your picture for the past couple years now. The nose gear works fine. You can bend anything if you smack the ground hard enough. That strut is a tough unit, it can take some abuse. If it does bend, well bend it back, and go fly again.

FYI, you should always have spare landing gear parts in your field box. You'll damage those components more than any other part of a plane over a course of time.

Sundownee

My Feedback: (30)

Hi six shooter, sorry but I don't have the strut in the picture, which comes from a f100. I got it from BVM's site. Yup I can believe this is the most damaged part of the aircraft. Depending on different surfaces. I am putting this on a Mirage 4000, Turbine version, with a KJ66 GB auto electric start. Going to talk to BVM this morning to see if he could sell me the nose strut and wheels he has for the f100. Looks like a perfect match for me, if the sizes fit tho, eg: lenght of strut and the wheels are nomare than 2 1/8 inches. thanks........Paul

RC_MAN

My Feedback: (11)

Does your wife know about this?

I think she needs a new kitchen

Sundownee

My Feedback: (30)

Hey RC_MAN, easy that word "wife" is a bad word for R/C enthusiasts, could not get a hold of Bob or anyone accept the the phone receptionist. They all went to Florida Jets, hmmm I wonder whats going on there.... hehehehehe


Paul