p-38 landing gear

[tiger1]

hi guy`s- anybody knows which way the main landing gear retracts
on the p-38?Is there room for larger wheels in the wheel bay`s?
Anybody got pic`s?

[Folkwulfe]

I take it you need pictures of the gear bays? I can do that....

[tmanthegreat]

You sort of push the wheel in and simultaneously retract it back towards the cockpit - on the XD version at least!

[Folkwulfe]

This is the nose gear bay, gear extended. It simply folds backwards into the bay. You'll notice there is a recess for the wheel and there is not alot of room. An oversized tire would probably prevent the gear doors from closing.

This is one of the mains bay, gear extended.

...and the same gear retracted, doors open for detail. You pull out slightly and fold the oleo strut backwards. The gear base slides forward a little while the gear folds backwards. As you can see, once stowed, there is NO room to either side of the wheel since it folds into the narrow part of the gear bay. I doubt larger wheels would allow the oleo to be folded completely and the gear doors could not be closed. Hope this helps some.

[p51]

Be careful of the nose gear, as I recall if you apply too much pressure and forget to push DOWN on the gear to 'unlock it', it could snap off.

[wm69]

Be careful of the nose gear, as I recall if you apply too much pressure and forget to push DOWN on the gear to 'unlock it', it could snap off.

What kinda idiot would do that?

(ok I broke the gear off my shark about 3 min after I got it out of the box )

[kevrut]

I hate when that happens.

[Teamski]

hehehehehehehe...... There were a lot of broken hearts with the P-38's gear that 's for sure!!

Thanks Folkwulfe for the great pictures. They are very helpful!!

-Ski

[tiger1]

Thanks guy`s-most helpful-I am thinking ?about getting me a p-38,and was dreaming of relocating the maingears and fitting larger mainwheels....

[Folkwulfe]

Glad I could help. Have digital, will travel!