Warbird Information Exchange

I recall from the forums that it was good practice to carry vice grips in the front seat, as there had been cases of the gear handle breaking off in the cockpit. When I was sitting in the Collings 51 C and discussing it with Rob he had not heard of this and does not carry vice grips. Am I out of date, is this no longer standard practice ? Has someone manufactured a stronger gear lever? Thanks

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

I would advise it along with the handle for manually pulling the gear uplocks if that linkage should break.
Rich

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Rich Palmer

Remember an Injured Youth
benstear.org
#64- Stay Strong and Keep the Faith

BOOM BOOM, ROUND ROUND, PROPELLER GO

Don't Be A Dilbert!

Rich, thanks, How does the gear uplock puller work? Do you reach down through the floorboards with it? Do you make these or who does?

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Bill Greenwood
Spitfire N308WK

I have heard about carrying vise grips and having the uplock stick for years and have in the airplane. Does anyone know of an incident where the gear handle actually broke and vice grips saved the day or where someone used the stick?

I am not sure if it ever happened (broke handle) to him, but Ed Bowlin always wanted lock grips in the cockpit when he flew Steve Collins Mustang "Ole Boy".
Robbie

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Fly Fast Make Noise!

The original handles were made from Magnesium and were suseptible to breaking especially over the years where corrosion may have become a factor. There are newer ones available from a couple of sources that are made from Billet aluminum and are beautifully done. If I didnt have an aluminum one I'd carry the vice grips just in case.

Mike

I always carry them under the seat cushion (or seat pack) and we also have the uplock hook puller thingy that Jim Shuttleworth had made. I wrap the vise grips in a towel that I can also use to clean the windshield if necessary. I also have a kit with jack pads, special tools, a spare plug or two and various fasteners. We also have a spare tailwheel in the hellhole. It's easy to put a simple kit together and it can really save your butt on the road. jb

Used to carry some clean clothes bungeed down in the right gun bay to change into for those endless rubber chicken dinners we always seemed to get invited to by the local COC and a large stuffed Teddy Bear in the left that might have been the world's greatest chick magnet, although Lacy's Snoopy Dog might have been the all time champ in that department

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Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

Dudley,
Welcome to Wix, I am used to seeing you on the miltary usenet. You will find this a much nicer crowd,

Thanks very much. I'm long retired and no longer flying but I still try to keep my hand in wherever I can offer a word or two.

You're right. These moderated forums are a great improvement both content and people wise over the Usenet environment.
Dudley

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Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

Does anyone know of an actual incident where either one of these things happened, handle breaking or using the stick to unlock the gear?

Again, I have heard about these isssues for years but have never been able to confirm an actual incident.

I had heard some things but never had any issues with the handle. It would stick in the indents sometimes if you went inboard and up or down at the same time so you (or at least I did anyway) had to remember to come inboard to release before moving the handle up or down, but that was about it for us anyway.

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Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship

Bill Speer had a problem at the races and Gary Levitz sat in his mustang and worked it out so he could get the gear down and land.....

Lynn

That was a very interesting day at the races for sure. The radio chatter was great.