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Wheel fairings
http://t18.net/thorpforum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7569		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Cook11 [ Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Wheel fairings
Are the exposed wheel pants on T-18's on the plans? Or can you purchase them?
Author:  dickwolff [ Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Drawing 651L.

D
Author:  Cook11 [ Fri Apr 18, 2014 3:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Thanks! I don't own any drawings....I wanted to fabricate a set for my experimental Pacer that I own.
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Fri Apr 18, 2014 10:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
If you could purchase them they would be priceless ! ??? Making them requires a great deal of skill with the torch/welder/English wheel . ;)

RB O0
Author:  Bill Williams [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
The wheel pants are the JT design that can be built, no compound curves.
Author:  leewwalton [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 9:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Bills right the Thorrp style wheel pants are not difficult to make, like the rest of the airplane flat sides and a wrap around.

Does anyone have a copy or scan of the 651 drawing we can provide to our fellow homebuilder?
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 1:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
I just looked at my 651L drawing as I was going to try and scan it/copy it , BUT it is a full size drawing ! Any suggestions ?

RB O0
Author:  Bill Williams [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 2:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Rich, try this
Image
Author:  Rich Brazell [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 3:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
There you go Cook 11 ! Thanks to Bill Williams . :)

RB O0
Author:  Cook11 [ Sat Apr 19, 2014 4:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Thanks for the help gentlemen!
Author:  flyingfool [ Thu Aug 07, 2014 12:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
I know that in past readings in sport aviation, they say that the geer leg fairings and wheel fairings can make a HUGE drag different/improvement.

What is the consensus (if any) on what farings and wheel pants are the best for drag?

I think the RV pants (Pressure recovery???) would seem like they have a lot of following and availability and I think are low drag.

What say you guys?
Author:  fytrplt [ Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Actual test data: Wheel pants = 3 mph. Gear leg fairings = 7-8 mph.
Author:  leewwalton [ Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:44 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
There are basically 3 wheel pants being used on Thorps right now ... see pics.

Gary Green had identical Thorps at one time, same prop, same motor same paint .. one (older) had the standard wheel pants the other (newer) the RV pressure recovery style. They were both evenly matched.

I've had the Sam James style and the standard wheel pants on the same airplane and also did not see much difference. I think the 10mph claims from the RV folks are a tad bit questionable.

Attachments:
File comment: Standard Thorp most have these
standard_thorp_wheel_pant.jpg
standard_thorp_wheel_pant.jpg [ 19.71 KiB | Viewed 16346 times ]
File comment: Sam James
sam_james.jpg
sam_james.jpg [ 31.54 KiB | Viewed 16346 times ]
File comment: RV Style
rv_style.jpg
rv_style.jpg [ 14.9 KiB | Viewed 16346 times ]
Author:  flyingfool [ Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
Are Sam James off the shelf units or homebuilt?

They sure look better in my opinion than the RV style when seen in the picture above. The RV style is just too rounded/curvaceous given the relative straight lines or dare I say "boxy" style of the T-18.
Author:  leewwalton [ Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Wheel fairings
http://www.jamesaircraft.com/
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