Skids in lieu of wheels?

[frank mccune]

     Hello All:

     I replaced the wheels on several of my profile sport planes, Flite Streak, Buster, Cosmic Wind and Super Clown with simple wire skids under the fuselage.

     The reason for this was due to the fact that where I fly, the grass is too high for take offs and landings for planes of this size and power.  We have hand launched the planes and then attempted to land without them flipping over breaking the prop and/or the rudder.  I think the skids will permit me to land in the grass without any damage to the plane.  I did this to a Flite Streak last Summer that was powered via a ST G20/15D.  Not only did the plane land great, but it was a better flying machine due to the less weight  After all, those Combat fliers fly like this all of the time. Lol

       I guess that I could go to three inch wheels to see if that would also solve my problem but the skid seems to be a better idea.

     Any thoughts about this approach?

                                                                     Stay well,

                                                                     Frank McCune

[Jim Roselle]

I would think if the grass is to high for take off you could probably remove the skid as well and just belly land it.
Jim

[Tim Wescott]

I did that years ago for 1/2-A stuff and it worked great.

The skinny e-flight wheels seem to cut through grass fairly well (and are probably more aerodynamic than big fat wheels, to boot).  They'll never be as good as wire skids, but if you want something that'll fly in competition as well as flying sport, they'll do.  It may be a good idea to get some rubberized CA and glue the tires to the wheels, though: I have a Ringmaster with 2-1/4 inch eFlight wheels and after about a season the tires would pop off the rim when I started the plane on pavement.

[Russell Shaffer]

I like your idea, frank.  Do you have a picture of any of these?

[Motorman]

Back in the 70's there was a guy at the Winston/Salem meet who had a 5/32" wire skid on his fast rat. It came out of the pan, went under the prop and out the front about 3". It was horrifying to watch it fly.


MM

[frank mccune]

     Hi Russell:

     No, I do not have any pictures.  I must learn how to post them here someday! The skid is about 6" long and projects about an inch and a quarter from the bottom of the fuselage.  Of course there is the old rear skid left over from the original wheel set up.  If one wanted to get really cute, one could put a wire skid on the bottom of each wing near the tip ala U2.

      In the the past, I used old coat hanger wire that was soft and a bit shock absorbing.  I was going to use music wire but thought that it may be a bit too stiff to take the bumps.  Thus far, it appears to work quite well and there are no unsightly wheels dangling down while the plane is in flight! It is less expensive than wheels! Lol

      Thanks for the replies.  I was afraid that I would have to put my fire suit on as there a few purists on this site! Lol

                                                              Stay well my friends,

                                                              Frank

[john e. holliday]

Hey whatever works for you.   Up until the time I found a paved take off strip I flew over grass.  Hay field actually.  No landing gear and never had a problem landing.   Never broke a prop either.   Guess the old Top Flites were tough.   The I was sold a nylon prop.   

[Randy Cuberly]

     Hello All:

     I replaced the wheels on several of my profile sport planes, Flite Streak, Buster, Cosmic Wind and Super Clown with simple wire skids under the fuselage.

     The reason for this was due to the fact that where I fly, the grass is too high for take offs and landings for planes of this size and power.  We have hand launched the planes and then attempted to land without them flipping over breaking the prop and/or the rudder.  I think the skids will permit me to land in the grass without any damage to the plane.  I did this to a Flite Streak last Summer that was powered via a ST G20/15D.  Not only did the plane land great, but it was a better flying machine due to the less weight  After all, those Combat fliers fly like this all of the time. Lol

       I guess that I could go to three inch wheels to see if that would also solve my problem but the skid seems to be a better idea.

     Any thoughts about this approach?

                                                                     Stay well,

                                                                     Frank McCune

UUhHHHHh...
Why not just get a lawn mower and do a little work?

Somehow, I have trouble imagining skids on a Impact!!!  Or for that matter hand launching same!   

Randy Cuberly