bfd04

I am looking for information of how difficult it would be to retrofit a fixed gear Midwest Texan with retracts? I am sure it won't be a walk in the park, but can anyone who owns one be able to help? If there is a place I could download the instructions for this plane would some one please post the location.

Thanks
John

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

John If I remember right on the Midwest AT6 it is pretty simple. The plywood plate that the fix gear is hooked to just take it out and the Robart retracts should fit in the same place. Then cut out for the wheel and strut. I will check to see if I still have the plans tomorrow. Rich

bfd04

Rich,
Thanks alot for responding, I hope you still have them.

Yellowflier

The only problem is the sticker shock, this particular Robart setup is kind of pricey.

As another poster mentioned the plates the fixed gear are mounted to unscrew and the Robarts screw in in place of the plates, course you will need to cut out the wells if they aren't already. In the Fuse are cutouts in the formers for the air tanks. You mihgt have to remove your radio to get the tanks in. Midwest suggests something like 2.5 hours for conversion.

Incidentally, I noticed at the Midwest site recently that the T-6 is discontinued. I must have gotten one of the last kits in production at that rate.

David

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

John my plans are in pretty bad shape maybe this will help. Rich

Rumva

the midwest is already set for either fixed or retracts...the plates for fixed were just screwed in...- im just finishing mine and yellow is right for the sticker shock - but one thing you may want to do ..make sure the frame is ok or try to reinforce the frame abit....-

Taildrager-inactive

My Feedback: (11)

T-6

Yellowflier

It's been suggested to me to reinforce the gear mounts and by others to not reinforce the gear mounts !!! What did you do ????? I'm at the stage right now where I need to decide, I have the top skin on my wings and center sections but have not glued in any reinforcing at all, including the ply webs as yet. I have one wing panel in the jig as I type this and ready to cut the ply webs, probably should decide now if I want additional support or not.

The argument for extra support is to use 1/64 or 1/32 ply along the ribs back sides ( ribs attaching the gear) and the added weight is not worth mentioning.

The argument against extra support is that the spruce spars, the existing ply webs and triangle stock combined with the epoxied in gear supports is all that is needed. All forces are in front of the spars and well tied in to the spruce. A kit like the Midwest T-6 is pretty well tested and corrected.

I'm the kind of person who can agonize over this simple decision, where either answer is probably correct anyway !!!


David

Taildrager-inactive

My Feedback: (11)

Some use plastic bolts that will break on bad landing and not take out blocks. Dealers choice on this one.

bfd04

thanks for all the information. It made my decision easier to make.