MidGenerationAL
Well-known member
Plans built 4A model, started by my father. He made the original airfoil style shock struts. I am wrestling with 1) use the airfoil struts dad made, 2) purchase a set of the new round tube struts from Bearhawk aircraft, 3) rebuild the struts I have in the new style.
I can weld and fabricate, and could recruit dad to help with option 3), but my skills are not to his level (and his level of energy and engagement isn't what it was 15 years ago when he made these). I think we could get them done but then I'm wrestling with whether this is the best use of my time.
We did modify the original shock struts he made, by cutting them on a 45 degree angle and fitting 1/2" 4130 tube inside the airfoil section. This 'reinforcing tube' was rosette welded up and down the length of the airfoil section, then the 45 deg cuts were welded back together.
Dad got the idea of reinforcing the airfoil tubes in this way from somewhere in Bearhawk world, but I don't think it has been endorsed by Bob or any other official source.
So I don't know if we really strengthened them significantly or not.
Nor do I know how much of a weakness the original design was.
I would be interested to hear folks' thoughts on this
I can weld and fabricate, and could recruit dad to help with option 3), but my skills are not to his level (and his level of energy and engagement isn't what it was 15 years ago when he made these). I think we could get them done but then I'm wrestling with whether this is the best use of my time.
We did modify the original shock struts he made, by cutting them on a 45 degree angle and fitting 1/2" 4130 tube inside the airfoil section. This 'reinforcing tube' was rosette welded up and down the length of the airfoil section, then the 45 deg cuts were welded back together.
Dad got the idea of reinforcing the airfoil tubes in this way from somewhere in Bearhawk world, but I don't think it has been endorsed by Bob or any other official source.
So I don't know if we really strengthened them significantly or not.
Nor do I know how much of a weakness the original design was.
I would be interested to hear folks' thoughts on this