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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2008 19:51:52 GMT 12
When the P-51D Mustang that's now ZK-TAF was restored in the USA by John Dilley, the undercarriage fitted during the restoration was apparently actually from a Bell Kingcobra.
Does anyone know why these were used over standard Mustang legs/wheels, and what the advantage was?
Are they still fitted today?
In fact, has ZK-TAF undergone a full strip down to basics 'depot level maintenance' and restoration in the last 23 years since it came to NZ, or is it pretty much that same as it was in 1985?
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Post by agalbraith on May 25, 2008 21:47:23 GMT 12
Dave, I havent looked at the Kingcobra u/c to check what they look like. But I have heard they use Kingcobra(?) wheels & Brakes as they had a better system/brakes were bigger and worked better I think.
I remember when we collected all the P-51 bits up from Wanaka to go to the UK, there were several wheel hubs. I am pretty sure Ray said to me at the time that they probably wont be of any use as he will want to use different ones with the better brakes, but I am a little unsure which ones hey were off(pretty sure Kingcobra).
My memory is a little fuzzy on that point now so maybe an expert out there can clarify it for us.
Cheers
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Post by Radialicious on May 25, 2008 22:00:35 GMT 12
Yeah Dave, I remember that fabled issue of NZ Wings with TT's pilot report on ZK-TAF. It said the wheels and brakes were from a P-63. I'm not sure whether or not they were sourced for performance or availability. Many Merlin powered fighters for sale these days advertise if their engines have "transport banks" as part of the engine specs. Transport banks refer to the stronger cylinder bank assemblies that were made to run harder for longer.
Old school fluffy dice
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2008 22:03:06 GMT 12
I wonder what 'Dove of Peace' has fitted then.
What do they use in P-63 restorations if the Mustangs have nicked all their wheels? :-)
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2008 22:06:29 GMT 12
Al, I got that info fom a few months before in Ross Macpherson's article preparing the public for the arrival of the Mustang. Dec/Jan 1985 NZ Wings.
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Post by Bruce on May 25, 2008 23:00:25 GMT 12
I know Sea fury ZK-SFR had non - standard wheel and brakes assemblies as well. The originals used Pneumatic brakes, but the new units were hydraulic, with the Pneumatic system operating a proportional valve to make them work. The wheel and brake units were off some American Jet fighter bomber - F105 rings a bell but I cant be sure. The hydraulics were substantially more effective and reliable than the originals. The only problem of note was when the flexible coupling between the Engine and the accessory gearbox (similar to the B170 arrangement Al mentions in his other thread) failed coming back from Wanaka one year (1990?) causing an emergency landing at paraparaumu without Hydraulics (gear and flaps did O.K using the handpump, but no brakes) the aircraft ended up nudging the AACA hangar with its prop spinner.
Swapping wheels is actually quite common in restoration circles, many of the WWII braking systems left a lot to be desired, but were OK as a wartime contingency. with the amount invested in rebuilds, many owners perefer to protect that investment by making improvements. The general public dont notice but the aircraft is safer to operate.
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Post by hairy on May 26, 2008 22:33:08 GMT 12
I wonder what 'Dove of Peace' has fitted then. It has King Air wheels and brakes.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 26, 2008 22:38:09 GMT 12
Really??
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