Thorp Air Command - T18.net

After 5 hours and about 15 landings since first flight, somehow the landing gear bent. I was practicing landings and had a couple of not-so-soft landings (but not too hard either) and once I got back to my hangar I noticed that the wheels were flared out at the bottom. As I got a closer look, you could see that the leg fairings were torn from the bending of the leg gear. I had Dan look it over and he told me that the gear needs to be replaced.

I have the longer gear (came with the project) and I have heard that others may have had a similar experience with the longer gear. So, I think I am going to go down to the original short gear.

Anyways, I want to put out a REQUEST out into Thorpville to see if anyone has a short landing gear that they would be willing to part with for a reasonable price. I am anxious to get the bird back in the air with little down time as possible.

I would appreciate any input and/or leads

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

The vast majority of thorps flying out there have the long gear. I have not heard of them being prone to bending.

There's a reason we went with the longer gear it puts the airplane at the right attitude on the ground, you'll be landing on the tail wheel with the short gear.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I would curious if your gear leg has been heat treated?
call 209-942-2002 and ask the guy that answers the phone about a gear.

Usefull info Bill, thanks a bunch.......Dan

You need to do a rockwell hardness test to see if it was heat treated. To bend it back use the chain and jack (bow and arrow) method to straighten. The long gear is a keeper.

I dont see the tubular sleeve that goes over the bar.... it appears to be missing

He as the CSA 3 part gear, it does not have the outer sleeve.

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

Will fix it, will replace as per print.........Dan

Here is a pic when it was in the build phase. It looks like a CSA design and Mike Archer said that all of his gear was always heat treated. I don't think the heat treatment is an issue here...

I don't know the full history of this project, so perhaps somebody made a poor COPY CAT design without heat treating it. Hmmmmm, sounds like a conspiracy/mystery story is a brewin' . Anyone up for solving it????

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

@ Lee - I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers as far as long gear goes. I do realize that many thorpers have the long gear and they couldn't be happier with their performance over the years. My concern however, is that not all the long gear out there has been made equally well. I have heard that there are a fair number of long gears that have had problems with the bending out of of shape.

Saying that (hoping not to stir the pot >:D )..... I would like to throw out the request once again to see if anyone out there has extra landing gear (short or long) that would withstand my "not-so-soft"..... but "not-so-hard" landings for years to come. Either way I would be happier than a bird with a french fry. Maybe even happier than a tornado in a trailer park.


@ Bill - I made contact with the number that you posted, but I am not sure if he is ready to part with his extra gear. I appreciate the contact.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

No feathers ruffled. I will agree both long and short can bend when put under un do stress, off runway excursions, ground loops etc. and that many gear emerged from heat treating facilities warped, but I have never heard anyone say "the long gear tends to bend easily". I will say that at the point your gear bent the standard gear long or short i do not believe would have happened if it were the per plans gear. The outer sleeve serves a purpose and this is definitely not the first 3 piece gear I've seen bent or in the process of splaying out of shape, hard landing or not.

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Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

The landing gear was one determing factor when I didn't but an S-18 from Grants Pass Oregon.
We flew into the local airport, and the seller was not there to meet us. I met a few nice people, including the guy who welded up the gear! Nothing was mentioned about heat treating. Then a ride was organised to the home where the S-18 is, and a previous 'buyer' was the driver! It was a good thing, as we got a pretty good background on the plane.
Because I joined this group, I was able to print out the list of items to look for, and ask some critcal questions.
Thanks!

@Lee - I think you hit it dead on.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

I found a fellow named Pete from Reno, NV who is selling his t-18 project on Barnstormers. I gave him a call to see if he would part out his landing gear for a good deal.... and sure enough we were able to come to a really good arrangement.

He has the "OEM" short gear (lol) .....in one piece mind you. I ran over to Reno today and picked it up and hopefully I can get it installed this weekend and be flying again by Monday.

BTW: Pete said that if anyone is looking for some specific pieces, that he is more than willing to part his project out. You can give him a call at 775-742-1979. Great guy talk to and deal with.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

If anyone has a set of bent landing gear they would like to sell, please PM me. I just got a new Shop Press and Tig welder to try some repairs.

Thanks,
Bob MO