Best way to keep plans-built retractable gear from collapsing is convert to
fixed gear. (Insurance companies like that also.) If you feel that
converting is going to cost to much time and money, consider the time and
cost of a new prop and rebuilding an engine. If you simply must keep the
retract gear, then rig a safety pin for the down lock. Taxi and rough field
landing wiggle and jiggle everything including the down lock. You cannot
count on a little spring to keep the down lock engaged. Plans call for AN3
bolts for the gear leg casting to spring bar; upgrade these to AN4 bolts.
Upgrade the bolts for both sides of the gear hinge casting to AN4.
John Shaffer had retractable tri-gear for his KR.
Sid Wood
Tri-gear KR-2 N6242
Mechanicsville, MD, USA
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I have been trying to pass my Medical for about ten years, with no luck.
I built this Kr2 many years ago, flew it. The first time, only to have the
kr landing gear collapse because I never got the bulletin to put bigger
bolts in landing gear. I rebuilt the plane using the same gear as John
Shaffer-N 455JS. The only difference is I made it electric hydraulic. This
plane is powered with a Suburu E81 engine and propelled with a Al Shouse
wooden prop. It has a 16 gallon Aluminum gas tank and hydraulic brakes. It
has always been hangered and run about 4 times a year. I feel I am not
capable at 79 to fly this plane. Also Ellason Throttle body carb.
This plane is located in Benson,Mn. I can be reached at 1-320-843-4525 or
my cell 1-612-720-9216 or E-mail cjijlin at charter.net
Thank You,
Kelly Lindblad,
311-16th St. So.,
Benson, Mn. 56215
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I just finished KR-2 and received the Airworthiness certificate. I have the
original landing gear.Tell me please, which bolts collapsed, wheel center or
at the spring bar or else?
Which bulletin (you mean surely the "News Letter")shall I look in?
Which gear(retractable?)did John Schaffer use??? before my gear collapse.
My gear retracted while taxi run, in Oct., the prop was broken and the
crankshaft got off center,I`m waiting for the engine done next week, so, I
am desparate to avoid another collapse!!!
It would be a great help, if you would give me these answer, or anything
else, many thanks!!
With best regardYoshio Morino N5247N, Hamburg, Germany
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