Undercarriage Back Stay For a Large Model

[Andy J]

Looking for suggestions on how to construct an undercarriage back stay for my 80 inch Seagull Sparrowhawk.

 

As can been seen from the attached photo the standard 5mm diam piano wire legs as originaly supplied have been cut short to allow the use of two sprung oleos for the main legs.  At the moment both legs are mounted on independent piano wire torsion bars but my thoughts are to join these just above the top of each oleo just to give a bit of rigidity to the structure.

 

Obviously in a hard touch down both legs are going to be driven backwards so need some form of rear support with some degree of give. In the original config Seagull did this by using a horse shoe shaped rear support but would like to engineer a better design possible using some form of oil suspension shock absorber.

 

A picture of any design built by anyone would be appreciated.  

[Engine Doctor]

Have a look at the small gas struts used in kitchen cupboard hinges

[John Minchell]

You may find something useful on this site https://www.assocspring.co.uk/welded-end-gas-struts.html

HTH

John M

[Andy J]

Thanks John but now inclined to build a solid rear support after viewing designs on an American scale builders forum. Site also showed how the legs could be held together using a shaped ply infill which will likely be simpler than trying to silver solder a suitable cross beam