Ringmaster Jr Landing Gear Question

[Chancey Chorney]

Hi all. So, I am about ready to install the wing into my Ringmaster Jr I recently aquired. I had done some reading and determined that I will put in about 3/4 oz. of weight for the wingtip. If this is wrong, you can also correct me on it as well. But, the main question is related to the landing gear. I have a template of teh shape of the gear, but I am only missing one thing. Can someone please tell me what size of wire I need to buy to make the gear from? It is juat s Ringmaster Jr that will be powered by a Fox .15x engine if this makes a difference. Thank you.

[Chancey Chorney]

Thank you.

[C.T. Schaefer]

3/32 better.   Save weight. Single wheel gear.

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

What size lines for the Jr. Ringmaster / Fox .15x combo?  0.012" x 45' ? 

[dennis lipsett]

What size lines for the Jr. Ringmaster / Fox .15x combo?  0.012" x 45' ?

If you want to spin like a top then use the 45 foot lines. Usual length is 52foot  and with a good 15X it will still be lively but manageable.

[Steve Helmick]

3/32" wire is standard for .15 sized airplanes...but I would suggest aluminum sheet (6061-T6) if you can make it yourself or get a rough blank from SIG. If you can deal with a single wheel or better yet, no LG at all, your RM Jr. will fly a bunch better. They're not stellar fliers.

For flying lines, 30 lb test Power Pro "Slick8" would be my choice, or the .012 x 52' cables. With the outboard mounted engine and tank, you won't need much tipweight with Spectra lines, saving a little more weight.  Steve

[Paul Smith]

Are you certain the Fox 15X will actually run?  Not all of them do.

Life is too short to spend it on a hurling engine.  LA 15. 

My standard landing gear for that kind of plane is two-wheel, wing-mounted with .075" wire.  The way I set it up, I can upgrade to 3/32" if needed.

The wing gear swings back-and-forth, rather than spreading like a wishbone. 

I don't like monowheel because it buggers-up the wingtip and tail tip.

Getting the landing gear out of the engine & tank are avoids some conflict.

[pat king]

My Ringmaster Jr. Kits use 3/32 Music wire landing gear. Slightly heavier, but stands up better to rough landings.

Pat

[dennis lipsett]

Are you certain the Fox 15X will actually run?  Not all of them do.

Life is too short to spend it on a hurling engine.  LA 15. 

My standard landing gear for that kind of plane is two-wheel, wing-mounted with .075" wire.  The way I set it up, I can upgrade to 3/32" if needed.

The wing gear swings back-and-forth, rather than spreading like a wishbone. 

I don't like monowheel because it buggers-up the wingtip and tail tip.

Getting the landing gear out of the engine & tank are avoids some conflict

Actually all of the Fox 15X engines run. Some were put out with an extremely thick head gasket and it reduced the compression so much that it was a bear to start. If you change it out and put the correct gasket in they are an easy starter. I had over a dozen of them and they were always 3 or 4 flips and running. Ir puts out surprisingly good power if you take the time to really run it in. I just got rid of my last stash of them and was sorry to see them go as I had a lot of fun with them in the 60's. As a side benefit they are one of the lightest 15's you can own.

[Chancey Chorney]

Thank you all for the help and replies. I will be using 52' x .012 lines on mine. I was hoping for a tamer flier, but it looks like I will have a lively little bugger! I never thought of solid gear. Well, I will be ag a stand still for a couple weeks then tilman i can make it back to the hobby shop to get some 3/32 wire for the gear. I wish I thought of it before when I was there.

[Chancey Chorney]

I really like your method of mounting to the wing, paul, but I am unsure of how it really is mounted. My wing is already built and am thinking you may have beefed up the mounting area. Mine is just a 1/4" LE spar and 1/16" sheeting. I may have an in on thicker wire, but won't know till Friday. As for now all I have is 1/16" and I formed one, but it feels very weak to me still. I could go without gear, but I would then not be able to fly by myself.