Speaking of Gear Doors, How 'Bout Them P-51's?

Pogo · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 11:59 am

Can't help but notice that sometimes the inboard gear doors hang down, and sometimes they snug up, on the Mustang (when the gear is down). The first pic of Never Miss on Jack's "A Few From Salem Past..........." thread made me think of it, and, lo and behold, the second pic of the same a/c illustrates the "conundrum" to a tee. Wonder what gives?

51fixer · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:12 pm

Pogo wrote:

Can't help but notice that sometimes the inboard gear doors hang down, and sometimes they snug up, on the Mustang (when the gear is down). The first pic of Never Miss on Jack's "A Few From Salem Past..........." thread made me think of it, and, lo and behold, the second pic of the same a/c illustrates the "conundrum" to a tee. Wonder what gives?

P-51 hyd system has a bypass handle that you pull after shutdown to relieve pressure on the system.
When pressure is relieved the doors will fall down after a period due to gravity.

Rich

mlenoch · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:35 pm

Rich is correct.
Plus some hydraulic systems are tighter than others (read:less internal leakage), thus the doors may take longer to droop down than on other airplanes. Also, on the same airplane, one actuator may be tighter than the other side, thus uneven 'droopage' (is that a word?).
VL

Pogo · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 12:48 pm

vlado wrote:

.....'droopage' (is that a word?).

Absolutely, young fellers. But we are a polite company, and shall skip the explanation.

Thanks guys, that clears it right up!

sdennison · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 1:28 pm

Oh, you mean "One Hung Low"? by Claude Bawls?

Tom N · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 8:55 pm

Also, some mustangs have a device in the left gear well that is engaged by the left clam shell hanging down that prevents the gear handle from being raised..........Can be a nice thing when the airplane is parked...........

TN

gregv · **Posted:** Mon Jan 18, 2010 10:49 pm

is that the same situation with the speed brakes on the F-86? I have noticed that they are always out when the plane is on the ground.

greg v.

hang the expense · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 12:35 am

sdennison wrote:

Oh, you mean "One Hung Low"? by Claude Bawls?

That would be TIGERS REVENGE

gale_dono · **Joined:** Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:32 pm **Posts:** 328

Allison Mustangs have a lock (or something to that effect) that keeps the doors up until they need to do their thing, however.

Lynn Allen · **Posted:** Tue Jan 19, 2010 7:59 am

Even on the Hawker 700 I flew, the pressure would bleed off and the right door would open over night or over a few days, both doors would open..

Lynn

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Speaking of Gear Doors, How 'Bout Them P-51's?

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