Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: G0ALY on March 16, 2012, 10:26:03 AM
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As some of you know, I’ve been collecting old plane parts to display in my garage. I recently bid on a pair of T-6 main wheels on ebay, but I didn’t get them.
Does anyone know of any for sale? Or even just how much I should realistically expect to pay? I’m really only looking for one. Without a tire would be fine, I can find that later, and it would probably making shipping the wheel easier.
I may consider a different wheel if it was interesting looking enough. I’m only focusing on the T-6 because I already have a wingtip for that plane displayed.
Thanks
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PM Bodhi, he owns an AT-6 and probably has a line on parts.
shamus
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I believe you can find one (or two) under most T-6 Texans, try there first
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Buy these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Navy-Blue-COVERALLS-New-Red-Kap-All-Sizes-plumber-mechanic-welding-overalls-/360431187609?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear&var=&hash=item53eb5f7699 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Navy-Blue-COVERALLS-New-Red-Kap-All-Sizes-plumber-mechanic-welding-overalls-/360431187609?pt=US_CSA_MC_Outerwear&var=&hash=item53eb5f7699)and go to local airport....follow Mechanics advice.
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I believe you can find one (or two) under most T-6 Texans, try there first
:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl
:cheers: Oz
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All great ideas............ :noid
:rofl
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Bodhi sold the T-6, but he could point you in the right direction.
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PM Bodhi, he owns an AT-6 and probably has a line on parts.
shamus
I'm thinking along lines like this too. Two facts in this quest of yours to consider:
1- shipping.
2- just-above scrap condition.
Call local airports, museums, and try to politely contact local T-6 owners/operators (there are a lot out there). Wheels get old, need replacing, and they probabley have just one in marginal condition you can pickup one afternoon for a relative steal and they'd be glad to get rid of for a little cash (and assurances it will only be used as a table or something). Same with old tires, it costs money most places to dispose of them, offer to take a well-used one off their hands and see what they say.
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Call Lance Aircraft in Fort Worth, TX and ask if they have a junk wheel you could buy. The real deal is very expensive. If they do not, run a free ad on barnstormers.com looking for one under T-6 parts.
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Don't know of any T6 parts, but I do know of a Pratt & Whitney radial from a ( assumption from those who work at the facility ) Sherman tank that may be thrown out.
Its just what you need :D
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Don't know of any T6 parts, but I do know of a Pratt & Whitney radial from a ( assumption from those who work at the facility ) Sherman tank that may be thrown out.
Its just what you need :D
Is it trashed? I am interested depending upon location.
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Whoops nevermind I thought you were talking about the texan II.
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Whoops nevermind I thought you were talking about the texan II.
Stealing government property? Ten years in Leavenworth :neener:
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My original post was about why T-6 Texan II parts are almost impossible to find...
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I sent Lance Aircraft an email. Thanks for the suggestion
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Thanks Bodhi! I just ordered a used wheel form Lance Aircraft. I also ordered the small bearing cover for the center of the wheel.
Now for a tire… The wheels I originally bid on had agricultural tires mounted on them. While doing an online search for these wheels I read how old crop dusters would put BT-13 wheels on Stearmans and actually use tractor tires because they were only $25 and lasted four times as long.
So I am now on the search for a used 27” 9.75 aircraft tire, or a 9.5L 14 wagon tire that looks the part. Once again, any ideas would be appreciated, and thanks for the helps so far.
I’ll be sure to post a pic when the project is finished.
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Thanks Bodhi! I just ordered a used wheel form Lance Aircraft. I also ordered the small bearing cover for the center of the wheel.
Now for a tire… The wheels I originally bid on had agricultural tires mounted on them. While doing an online search for these wheels I read how old crop dusters would put BT-13 wheels on Stearmans and actually use tractor tires because they were only $25 and lasted four times as long.
So I am now on the search for a used 27” 9.75 aircraft tire, or a 9.5L 14 wagon tire that looks the part. Once again, any ideas would be appreciated, and thanks for the helps so far.
I’ll be sure to post a pic when the project is finished.
Make sure you also ordered the retaining clip that holds the cover in place, as it is a part of the assembly and looks "odd" without it. Not to mention the cap will not stay in place.
As for main wheels, let me make a couple of calls. I know a couple of operators. Had you asked me three weeks ago, I would have given you several, but alas, those are long since gone to become road base or whatever it is they do with old tires these days. PM me your location, that will help as well, as I may know someone near by who is an operator.
The only thing I am going to tell you, is mounting the wheels is beyond a squeak without effing up the rims. I made special spoons made of aluminum to do it, but it still sucked major arse. The wheels are aluminum or magnesium, depending upon manufacturer and both are very suceptible to gouging when placing the tire on. An old tire that has been laying around a long time will be stiff beyond belief and nigh impossible to get on. The reason is, the wheels are one piece, so you can't just split them to place them in. A tire mounting machine will be your best bet, but explain what you want before hand as I have had a tire company destroy a wheel trying to mount a new tire.
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The T-6 main wheel arrived. Here is a quick trial mockup of what I want to do with it. It needs a light polishing, and once a tire is mounted, I’m going to place a 24” circular glass table top on it. The base is from an office desk chair. That way it can be wheeled around the garage easily.
(http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/4065/rimu.jpg)
My original plan was to remove the mechanics of the desk chair and mount the wheel on a steel tube at a fixed height… But I am now thinking that I may keep everything below the seat of the desk chair. This would allow me to lower the wheel when we are sitting in chairs, and raise it when we are standing near the dartboard.
Wish me luck! CHEERS!
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Goaly,
Does the wheel have the Zeus springs still in the retainers for the wheel cover? If it does, use a nice plexi and give me a depth to the spring. Then you can countersink the plexi and attach the "top" that way. It will be very strong.
As for polishing, just get out some good degreaser and a couple of scrub brushes. That is one nice looking used wheel from here.
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Hello Bodhi, the wheel did not come with springs for the retainers. I was planning on using a 3/8 inch thick glass top because the local hobby shop has them pre-made with rounded edges for thirty bucks. If I use a 24 inch top the tire should stick out past the glass about an inch and a half.
Thanks for the idea though, I will have to consider plexiglass and clips.