Flat struts on display

[The Inspector]

Exposed chrome on inner struts require a regular (like about twice a week) wipe with 5606 as the chrome will rust from moisture in the atmosphere and in no time would look horrible.

[T-28mike]

Or when Junior has his fingers in the torque links when a flat strut decides to "un stick" and collapse because he was kicking the tire.

so...a strut collar would prevent any failure of parental supervision....and most of us have been around airplanes long enough to know that stuts don't just collapse...there is usually a slow, very visible trail of fluid before the strut compresses...especially for an a/c that is not in use.

They have been like that, or atleast most of them, for more than 35 years...it ain't gonna change...it's a misrepresentation of the aircraft...but in the long run, who cares, atleast they are there to look at.

jh[/quote]


Wow, obviously not been around too many aircraft that have just been down-jacked have you?

A strut can stick in the "up" position for a long time... then they can collapse, and usually at the most inconvenient time.

My point is that there is a policy in effect to prevent injury or damage because of a static aircraft having a strut collapse un announced. that should be good enough for anyone who has been around aircraft to understand, let alone people that do not understand aircraft.

Also think about, for example, a B-52 on outdoor display. If the wings are not pre-loaded with enough weight to keep them on the ground with no movement in the outrigger gear, than that gear will always be in a state of motion. The (outrigger) struts could have gone flat 35 years ago, but if the wind shifts and the (for eg:) right wing compresses ( without warning because the wind shifted) then Junior could get his hand (or worse) cut off when 60,000 pounds plus (think leverage) of wing comes down on him in an instant.

Struts stick. they relieve themselves without warning, and very fast.

It is a simple matter of precaution. Not if, but when...

[JimH]

deleted...it isn't worth the effort

[Steve Nelson]

I understand the struts on indoor static display aircraft have to be drained along with all the other fluids, to comply with environmental, safety, and fire regulations.

a static airplane injuring persons or property...NOW thats funny, absurd, but funny.

Well, I suppose leaking fluid could create a significant slip-and-fall hazard (and a lawsuit wating to happen.)

sn

so...if indoor static aircraft have to be drained to comply, yada yads, doesn't that make your next comment irrelevant?

No..I was simply saying that I assume possible slip-and-falls is one of the reasons that fluids are required to be drained.

SN

[Ken]

A quick look a a couple displays in Pensacola reveal the same flat struts.

For comparison, Google recent photos of both Enola Gay and Bocks Car. BC flat, EG showing chrome ... and I doubt someone is crawling up on those pedestals to wipe down EG's chrome twice a week, yet she's doing okay.

Inserting an internal spacer during restoration sounds like the best suggestion, just like the addition of no-flat in the tires (unless the axles are supported in stands).

[mustangdriver]

If you are looking for the best way to preserve than the flat struts are correct. Most people are not bothered by a few inches. Some of the NASM aircraft are also displayed with flat struts. Although most of their aircraft are on wheel stands.