Bomb Racks ????

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 13:03

My L16 project has some sort of a soleniod operated 'gizmo" about midway out on both wings. My AI stopped today and he didn't know what they were either.........they wouldn't be bomb racks

by any chance?? They're marked right and left (wing). Don't look as though they'd carry a lot of weight considering they're on the rib.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 19:00

In side or outside the struts? Could be racks of some sort, or maybe antenna mounts. I use to work on a Cherrokee 6 that had hard mounts for Rockets, from the factory no less! Piper's attemp at an earily trainer.

nkh

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 19:39

Third rib in from the struts. Notice it's electrically operated, 12 volt soleniod I believe. If it was for rockets, think of all the fun I could have. Might be hard on the fabric, though

.

Nathan K. Hammond · Post by **Nathan K. Hammond** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 23:12

Whats the millitary history of the airplane?

nkh

Mike's new slogan...... "FEAR ME! I travel at 80mph, carry 13 gallons of gas and now with ROCKETS! Spam Can's beware."

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 09:07

Not sure. The CD says it was transfered to the CAP in 1956 (Watertown,Wisconsin) Rest of the logs are gone. Typical project plane that's been moved several times, however most of the necessary parts are there. Doesn't appear to have a lot of hours, but I don't think it's been flown since about 1975 or so.

I served in the Air Force from 1957-63. I suppose they would be about my vintage, but I don't remember them being on the base. They were probably all transfered to civilian use by that time. We had mostly jets, T-33's, F102's and F106's, along with some big prop jobs.

Hard to believe they would put any kind of armament on anything like that but stranger things have happened, I guess.

Mike

Mnflyer · Post by **Mnflyer** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:48

Hi Mike they could be flair mounts, I've seen C|hamps and cubs with mounts simular for flairs, and they weren't exmilitary planes something to due with night flying before nav lights or maybe emergency flairs. Now that my interest is peeked I'll have to reseach some.

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 14:18

Well, that was my other thought, but I thought bombs, rockets or machine guns sounded more interesting

. The CD makes no mention of any electrical system ever being installed.

Mike

Ron Babos · Post by **Ron Babos** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 14:18

Mike: I'll take a wild guess here and say that they are camera mounts and the electric solenoid are used for shutter operation. If I'm right, where can I claim my prize?
Ron

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 14:24

Should be good for one can of Leinkugels beer (made with water from the Big Eddy springs........most people don't know that Big Eddy was a horse).
I'm still going for rocket, machine gun or bomb mount........but you could be right........stay tuned

.

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 17:41

Mike,
Piper had a removable landing light that plugged in with a 1/4 turn to lock in place. Or it could be a part of the wing folding mechanism for the Navy models.
Paul

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 20:02

Yup....I believe Paul wins the free can of Leinenkugels. I took a flashlight, looked on the side of it where it's marked "Grimes"......duh

Heck! That's a new one on me and there go my plans of rockets. Oh well, win one and lose one

.

Thanks for the mystery solver, Paul.

Does anyone have any of the plug in lights for nostalgia purposes?

Mike

Paul Agaliotis · Post by **Paul Agaliotis** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 23:24

Mike,
I,ve only seen one set and that was on a Cub Cruiser. It,s not a very attractive light.
Paul

Ron Babos · Post by **Ron Babos** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 09:29

Mike: Must be a real let down to see your plane go from a weapon of mass destruction to a trying to see in the dark airplane

Ron

MikeB · Post by **MikeB** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 16:16

Bummer!!