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Ww1 fighter pilot5/29/2023 ![]() ![]() Long ago, plane manufacturers experimented with 10-foot wheels, and they did alright for the plane – but they chewed up the runway. Should any single wheel fail on landing, there are still plenty more to keep the plane on an even keel as it limps towards the gate. The first is aviation’s predilection for redundant systems, a safety issue. There are two good reasons why this isn’t done. Why do planes have so many wheels? Wouldn’t it be easier to have three huge wheels and reduce the complexity of the landing gear?Ī B747 has eighteen wheels, and that means that it has eighteen tires, seventeen brakes, sixteen axle sleeves, nine axles, five legs, and about a million other gizmos & widgets.Īctually, it probably would be easier and cheaper to have a trio of monster truck tires and associated parts. They say, “She’s bleeding.” Therefore US military landing gear is painted white, so that hydraulic leaks can be spotted easily. And when the red fluid spews all over the white landing gear it is very visible to the line mechanics. But they don’t use Skydrol, no, they use Red Fluid. Landing gear has many hydraulic components, and their seals & gaskets are prone to leakage during this abuse. ![]() Especially when landing on aircraft carriers, these controlled crashes are brutal on the landing gear. It’s a red, white, and blue thing, but without the blue. Why do US military planes have white landing gear? Why did WW-TWO pilots also wear dashing white silk scarves? Therefore the pilots sported white silk scarves. They used a white scarf so that they could be sure that it was itself clean, as an oily rag would just make matters worse. Those goggles had to be wiped clean, so the pilots would put their convenient scarfs to double-duty clearing the lenses. Even worse, those old engines were prone to leak oil, and that could splatter upon the pilots, too. Prop wash prevented most of the bugs-in-the teeth enjoyed by happy motorcyclists, but rain and fog could still accumulate on the pilot’s goggles. Of course scarves looked great, but the white color served a real purpose, and here’s why: While flying in an open-cockpit bi-plane a pilot was vulnerable to the elements. The silk prevented neck chafing as the pilots scanned the not-so-friendly skies looking for enemy aircraft. Why not a nice plaid? The white silk scarf is a classic, worn by everyone from Charles Lindbergh to Snoopy. Why did WWI pilots wear dashing WHITE silk scarves? Make a simple wager over the following questions, and I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that you’ll come out ahead: ![]() You just missed them – things are different now. “The good old days,” in case you don’t know it, ended six months before you showed up. After hours, when the socializing begins in earnest, we can talk about the good old days. You can find me holding the fort at the booth (or the “stand” in London) at the MRO, AP&M, ACPC, and other trade shows. A time-honored tradition at the aviation trade shows is having serious scholarly debate with your fellow aerospace professionals. Read on, and you'll be able to hold your own with the best of them. ![]()
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