Thorp Air Command - T18.net

I am in the process of making the gear leg fairings. The print calls for an741 tube clamps. Does anyone know where they can be purchasd or an alternative. Internet search has turned up nothing.

Thanks, Everett

I was looking at this recently and found a reference in the genuine Aircraft Hardware Co. reference book, they probably have them in their online catalogue. http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com
They list the MS 27405 as superseding the AN471
No doubt there probably a range of variations on the method shown in the plans for attaching the fairings used by various builders.
Stuart

I think most builders don't use the clamps. If the cowl has fairings and wheel spats have fairings that hold the leg fairing in position from traveling for and aft then all that is needed is a location strap (about 4" long 1/2" wide) that is secured under an axle bolt. The top end has an 8-32 anchor nut. One screw throught the fairing into the strap stops the fairing traveling up or down. I have had such an arrangement on my T18 for 24 years.
Tony
ZK-VMS T18C

Tony any pictures?
Could the strap you are referring to be incorporated into the flat layout of gear leg fairing itself, rather than being a separate piece or would it not be flexible enough?

I think it needs to be separate, certainly in mine it does. My lower engine cowl needs to go down 5-6 inches to get it off so I need to get the leg fairing out of the way. I do this by taking the one leg fairing attach screw out and I can slide the fairing down far enought to clear the engine cowl removal. I had some drawings somewhere, actually I think Peter Hodgins drew them. Grothy will probably know.
Tony S
ZK-VMS T18C

I stab at this.....I seen several ingenious ways to attach the fairings. Punch a hole in a hose clamp, stick a rivet through the hole fron the inside of the clamp, tighten the hose clamp around the gear leg and with a small hole in the cover will hold it in place. Close up the trailing edge with screws or hinge.
I used a "+" made from 4130 .040 sheet, formed two ears to rap around the gear, used hose clamps to secure the +, the other two tabs installed nut plates, used screws to hold the cover. Closed the TE using PK screws.
Another is to make a "T", form the two tabs and clamp to the gear leg and a nut plate on the other tab, They were installed only on the bottom side of the gear leg using two screws.
Make sure they are in alignment with the slip stream as they tend to be a giant brake.

The hose clamp option sounds pretty good to me, I am not sure you could make it any lighter any other way. I just knew there would be a few different options to try.
Everett which option did you end up going with?
Stuart