AustinHancock51 wrote:
Hello WIX gang,
Been looking around, and I am trying to find the dimensions/specs for the bazookas that got mounted on L-4s and L-3s during the War. I found some info in the Bald Eagle Aviation thread...(
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... ka#p330682). I want to try and make some, this winter. Np particular reason!
Also, to mount them on an airworthy aircraft, what would need to be done to be "legal." Thanks!
Good Morning Austin,
I have several photos somewhere of the bazooka installation during WW II that I will try to locate for you. To my knowledge they were never mounted on any L-3 aircraft.
With regard to actual installation on an aircraft it would have to be done either with a full STC or one time STC for that N# aircraft.
I obtained a one time STC from the FAA to install replica launchers on a Cessna O-1 that I restored and it was very expensive. The FAA required a detailed structural analysis of the aircraft including wing skin thickness, drawings load engineering, and an engineering analysis done by a Company accredited to perform it. I used Kosola Engineering at the time. In addition we had to write an installation and service manual for the launchers drawing heavily on the USAF documents.
The construction of the launchers themselves had to be well documented with type material, specific aluminum alloy, strength etc. along with specific listing of all material used and structural analysis. We used the Cessna drawings to construct exact replicas of the launchers to exact specifications using only aircraft grade material and fasteners.
The mounting was accomplished using original shackles locked in place with all functional wiring removed. The final cost was thousands of dollars, the process is not for the faint of heart. I don't believe there would be any chance at all of getting an installation approved with a 337.
Good Luck with your project,