Bald Eagle Aviation

[51fixer]

One of the current projects is add a set of Red Line Brakes on Andrew's T-6G.

Old drum brakes-

New Disc Calipers-


While extracting the brake drum on one of the removed wheels the inner bearing race fell out. The bore where the bearing is pressed in showed signs of the race rotating.
Also signs of metal set epoxy were evident.

Found a replacement wheel upstairs-


Another disc to remove. After plastic media blasting the wheels could be inspected.


New disc has been fitted to both wheels. Now wheels need to be masked and primered. Then tube and tires will be installed along with the discs. The the top coat will be applied.
Disc pics.

[bdk]

Rich, what are the primary advantages of the Redline brakes? Seems overkill to me, that's why I ask.

[Lynn Allen]

Rich, what are the primary advantages of the Redline brakes? Seems overkill to me, that's why I ask.

Less mtx and better braking? Also, can the old rim be repaired??

[51fixer]

Maintenance of Drum Brakes can bring issues of Chrome flaking off of drums, linings wear, need adjustment, linings can become contaminated with hyd fluid.
In use they can fade.
The disc units are less maint. They won't fade and have consistent braking. They are not really stronger than the original but won't change in their effectiveness.
The pads used are a Cleveland part. On Jim's SNJ-5 I changed pads after 7-8 years of use. Other than annuals, nothing else was required maint wise.
I can't say they are for everyone. They are around $4K plus installation.
Red Line produces kits for Stearman, FM-2 and others.
When I was based at NE Philly airport a friend took care of a Harvard that the owner flew maybe 4-5 times a year. Always with my friend in the backseat. At Princeton NJ the owner lost it on landing. My friend said he was looking at buildings through the windscreen past the front seat pilots head. One jab of the brake and he was able to get it going down the runway again. He had a ton of time in T-6s, ex military and had checked out many pilots in them. He mentioned to me that this situation was one that he felt stock brakes couldn't have straightened things out but the Red Lines did. Prior to installing he didn't think they were that much better and he couldn't justify the cost. The owner wanted them installed IIRC. After that incident he was sold on them.
IMHO these are one of the few changes that I feel is worth the cost.

[Lynn Allen]

Keep the pictures coming on this please....

[51fixer]

Got the wheels painted yesterday.
After Michael got them unmasked-


With the discs torqued and ready for the tires.


The 27" SC inner tube from Desser.

Installing the tire and tube.


Caliper assy removed and pieces laid out.


Wheel installed on axle.

Next will be installing the calipers and lines along with bleeding the system.

[51fixer]

I recently got a set of studs for the Spit tailwheel that were made by Supermarine in the UK. Not that Supermarine but the modern company that makes parts for Spitfires. The website is Supermarine.net.
1st couple studs in place.

The process involved placement of the stud. Then marking the flange for the retaining pin placement.


Removing the stud and then cutting the flange to match the locking pin.

Bare stud.

[Lynn Allen]

Rich, any updates?? I still have the F-250 in the front yard up on jacks and the wheels knocked off waiting for more pictures....

[51fixer]

Rich, any updates?? I still have the F-250 in the front yard up on jacks and the wheels knocked off waiting for more pictures....

I thought that was how all Ford PUs are parked overnight?

All the A/C are cowled. The T-6G was away to a Formation Clinic last weekend and still hasn't returned. BE and the Spit went flying the other day before the rain hit.
Working on some small items around the hangar.

[Eric Rogers]

Rich,

How long has it been that you have been able to say "All the A/C are cowled" ?

All the A/C are cowled. The T-6G was away to a Formation Clinic last weekend and still hasn't returned. BE and the Spit went flying the other day before the rain hit.
Working on some small items around the hangar.

[Jim Beasley]

PLEASE don't challenge him ....

Rich,

How long has it been that you have been able to say "All the A/C are cowled" ?

All the A/C are cowled. The T-6G was away to a Formation Clinic last weekend and still hasn't returned. BE and the Spit went flying the other day before the rain hit.
Working on some small items around the hangar.

[51fixer]

PLEASE don't challenge him ....

Rich,

How long has it been that you have been able to say "All the A/C are cowled" ?

All the A/C are cowled. The T-6G was away to a Formation Clinic last weekend and still hasn't returned. BE and the Spit went flying the other day before the rain hit.
Working on some small items around the hangar.

You want to fly when?
(Evil laugh gets inserted here)

[bdk]

One of the current projects is add a set of Red Line Brakes on Andrew's T-6G.

Old drum brakes-

Rich, what is the reinforcement at the bottom of the gear leg?

[51fixer]

One of the current projects is add a set of Red Line Brakes on Andrew's T-6G.

Old drum brakes-

Rich, what is the reinforcement at the bottom of the gear leg?

The lower gear legs came from a set of gear off of a South African T-6.
They added the gussets. They are a plate welded in place, one on the aft side and the other on the front.
On both of the gear legs that were removed there was a large chunk welded in this place. There was some cracks in the base metal coming out of the welds so I replaced them.
I believe there was several different types of reinforcements added to beef up the axle to gear leg part of the MLG.

[bdk]

Interesting Rich, thanks. So it was a reinforcement, not a repair. I'm not sure I would trust a repair in an area that sees so much abuse.