Pittsartist
Well Known Member
"Every picture tells a story" or so the saying goes.
........... So here's my little story.
Spotted at the 2nd annual from new, 116 hours total logged, Almost all flying off grass strips (in reasonable condition)
Cracks in gear leg sockets - both sides, same place, red Dye Pen shows it
[/url]IMG_3387 by WIGY TV, on Flickr[/IMG]
Mount off
[/url]IMG_3372 by WIGY TV, on Flickr[/IMG]
http://flic.kr/p/Rse2Pw
Engine Off
[/url]IMG_3380 by WIGY TV, on Flickr[/IMG]
Strip Mount
[/url]IMG_3391 by WIGY TV, on Flickr[/IMG]
Bare Metal ready for Welding
[/url]IMG_3393 by WIGY TV, on Flickr[/IMG]
3 Days work so far. I'm expecting the get the mount back later this week and start re assembly - Predicting about 6 days work in total to repair the problem.
What I have learned so far
- The standard "6" mount is in need of some strengthening if you regularly operate from Grass
- I plan to change my operational technique post repair to give the mount as easy a time as possible (No more "Wheeler" ladings, Tail up taxiing, choosing rough grass strips when a smoother alternative is available, 20 min Aeros flights that could be tagged onto the end of another mission)
- There seems to be 3 levels of repair available
1) Just weld the cracks
2) Weld and add reinforcement gussets from 4130 steel
3) The above plus replace the gear socket tubes with custom made replacements machined from steel billet with a thicker wall.
- Above all, I really wish I had done "2" in the above During the build
I don't suppose there are that many 6's at this stage of build these days - but I hope this post may be of use to any that are.
...... Still love the aeroplane though, No regrets
........... So here's my little story.
Spotted at the 2nd annual from new, 116 hours total logged, Almost all flying off grass strips (in reasonable condition)
Cracks in gear leg sockets - both sides, same place, red Dye Pen shows it
Mount off
http://flic.kr/p/Rse2Pw
Engine Off
Strip Mount
Bare Metal ready for Welding
3 Days work so far. I'm expecting the get the mount back later this week and start re assembly - Predicting about 6 days work in total to repair the problem.
What I have learned so far
- The standard "6" mount is in need of some strengthening if you regularly operate from Grass
- I plan to change my operational technique post repair to give the mount as easy a time as possible (No more "Wheeler" ladings, Tail up taxiing, choosing rough grass strips when a smoother alternative is available, 20 min Aeros flights that could be tagged onto the end of another mission)
- There seems to be 3 levels of repair available
1) Just weld the cracks
2) Weld and add reinforcement gussets from 4130 steel
3) The above plus replace the gear socket tubes with custom made replacements machined from steel billet with a thicker wall.
- Above all, I really wish I had done "2" in the above During the build
I don't suppose there are that many 6's at this stage of build these days - but I hope this post may be of use to any that are.
...... Still love the aeroplane though, No regrets
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