Landing gear placement

[Leester]

A while back I got a ARF Tutor II on scratch and dent minus the fusalage. It was suggested that I just make up a fusalage of my liking and make the plane. I decided on putting the wing in a P-51D Mustang fusalage that I'll make from Allen Brickhaus's profile design. The wings are fairly close in appearence and size. Allens design shows wing mounted gear, the Tutor II wing is not so I'll have to use fusalage gear. How do I determine where to put the gear. Also the mustang's fusalage is 38 1/4" long, not counting the rudder. I am going to go with 36" long fusalage, where should I shorten it at ?  Thanks

[Richard Oliver]

Put the axle(center of the wheel) on the leading edge for smooth surface and 1/4" to 1/2" forward for grass.
Some will tell you 15° forward angle from the cg but most of them end up in the range that I gave you.
RO

[Bill Little]

Lee, don't shorten it.  Just because you only have 36" wood doesn't mean it can't be 38 1/4" long. 

Add the extra in the nose where it will be covered by the plywood doublers.  As long as you make the maple mounts the full length, the "filler" on the top and the bottom will not cause any loss of strength to the nose.

Unless of course, you just "have to make it" only 36" long for some reason. 
( )

Bill <><

[Leester]

Thanks RO and Bill, didn't know if adding wood would hurt or not but now that I know it sounds like a plan.

[Bill Little]

Thanks RO and Bill, didn't know if adding wood would hurt or not but now that I know it sounds like a plan.

Hi Lee,

If you use epoxy to glue up all the pieces of the front end (like I know you will) then it will be stronger than a single piece of wood, and there is basically no weight penalty as long as you use "just enough".

I have built Profiles from "pieces" several times, and a strong nose wasn't a problem with them.  I guess what I'm saying is that I'm "cheap"!  I use up all the 1/2" scraps a lot of times.

Bill <><