Expert: Joe Martin - 4/12/2009

Question
Mr Martin, I'm researching the subject plane for an RC model project.  This rather obscure Boeing prototype had such clean lines (for its era), I immediately fell in love with it.  What I can't find is sufficient details on how the split axle was shock absorbed.  Were there hydraulic shocks inside the fairings; were they in the fuselage?  Any information you could supply or any other info sources would be greatly appreciated since I plan to make it as scale as my skills will allow.  Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
Well, Robert, short of going to the BuAer records in the National Archives or maybe delving into whatever Boeing records survive, your guess is probably as good as anybody else's!

About the closet I can come is a quote from Bowers' Boeing Aircraft Since 1916, p.89, in reference to Model 54: " ... use of a cross-axle type of undercarriage on the FB-2 with oleo shock absorbers IN THE FRONT STRUTS ..."

If you have access to this book, you might find more hints in the photos of similar models. Anyhow, an interesting project--good luck with it.

JM