Landing Gear, Wheels and Brakes

The project came with a set of Type F narrow racing landing gear. There were problems with them so I decided to have a new set made per the Monocoupe Type F landing gear print.

Balsa wood is used on the rear leg to fair and shape a streamline. The tubing for the hydraulic brakes is run down the inside of the gear leg. 

I had a discussion with DJ Short about brakes. At the time, there was an original set of wheels and brakes for sale in the Monocoupe Newsletter. Faced with the decision of purchasing the original wheels and brakes versus upgrading to Cleveland wheels and brakes, DJ said: “Do you want to be original or do you want to be safe?” So, working with DJ, I was able to obtain a 337 approval for Cleveland wheels and brakes, using the same approach that DJ had used on his own Monocoupe (NC15440) and on Cam Blazers (NX15429). 

This approach is really quite nice. It uses Cleveland 6.50 x 10 wheels and Cleveland 6.00 x 6 brake calipers. The geometry works out perfectly such that the brake calipers fit inside of the wheel, with significantly less protrusion, which you would get if you used a larger brake caliper. This makes the intersection fairings between the wheel pant and the gear leg, smaller and cleaner. 

The brake master cylinders are mounted under the floorboards and are connected to the original heel brake pedals. This makes for an installation which provides modern safety with original appearance.

Bud Dake had written some excellent notes on how to install the bungee cords.  I used them as a starting point. Here is information on how to tie off the beginning and ending 

terminal loops. I used a boat trailer winch to tighten each loop of the bungees. I fabricated a special clamp to hold each bungeeing wrap in place while the cord was repositioned. More pictures of the bungee installation in the gallery below. 

I fabricated a tailwheel using the Monocoupe prints. The originals used a 3′′ caster for the wheel. These wear out quickly and have a tendency to slide across pavement (poor grip depending on what you are able to find). So, as the project neared completion, I decided to install an Aviation Products 6131 tailwheel. This unit is now standard on several production certified aircraft and many Luscombes have them added via 337. I’m glad I made this decision. 

I had the original wheel pants, they were pretty beat up from the accident. DJ Short hammered them out and I finished them off.