I'm often blown away by some of the craftsmanship and ingenuity of this homebuilding community, especially here in the backcountry circles. This new Knowledge Base article is no exception (by the way, we have no Murphy Rebel aircraft page...volunteers?)

BCP member Craig Walls, aka @snowyriver, turned lemons into lemonade after a forced landing damaged his original Rebel gear. The result is probably quite bit close to what we'd all like to see on a Rebel. But this mod is not for the faint of heart.

Enjoy!

https://backcountrypilot.org/knowledge-base/aircraft/modifications/198-murphy-rebel-cub-gear-mod

From this angle it also looks better, very cool

Being a Rebel(s) owner, I am also very impressed! Thanks Craig!! I have the spring gear on mine, ala Cessna type, and prefer the look but also realize it is the weak link of the plane. On the soon to be inspected Rebel, it is closed up and way too far along to go back and modify the gear mounting. I'm hoping to try and land lightly with a set of 29" Airstreaks.

Awesome write up Craig!!!

I can relate. The newer RANS S-7's have spring style gear, and it is tempting as it is so obviously less draggy, BUT I'm not giving up my Cub style gear, drag be damned!

But, I did totally fair all the exposed round tubing, and covered the gear legs, that will make a significant difference on your bird as well, not only in cruise, but fuel burn, climb rate, range, etc. etc.

After I had my gear mod installed in west Idaho by John Roberts of Avweld, I had to fly it home......and remember thinking as I climbed over the Boise foothills : "hot day, bad air, kinda sinky." No big deal though.....then a few days later while climbing through a very familiar mountain pass right behind my place, in nice cool early AM air, I gradually realized I was lower then usual. Over the next few days, I came to realize the overall performance of the plane was less then before, and then the light came on, GEAR DRAG. Yeah you can counter it with more throttle, but once I faired everything I gained the performance I was used to back.

courierguy wrote:I can relate. The newer RANS S-7's have spring style gear, and it is tempting as it is so obviously less draggy, BUT I'm not giving up my Cub style gear, drag be damned!

But, I did totally fair all the exposed round tubing, and covered the gear legs, that will make a significant difference on your bird as well, not only in cruise, but fuel burn, climb rate, range, etc. etc.

After I had my gear mod installed in west Idaho by John Roberts of Avweld, I had to fly it home......and remember thinking as I climbed over the Boise foothills : "hot day, bad air, kinda sinky." No big deal though.....then a few days later while climbing through a very familiar mountain pass right behind my place, in nice cool early AM air, I gradually realized I was lower then usual. Over the next few days, I came to realize the overall performance of the plane was less then before, and then the light came on, GEAR DRAG. Yeah you can counter it with more throttle, but once I faired everything I gained the performance I was used to back.

I was thinking the other day, why does noone build gear with streamlined tubing? I'm guessing it's because the tubing isnt as strong?

Mine is round chrome moly, cheap and easy to fabricate, faired with aluminum, fabric, and wood, like they've been doing since the '20's! Streamline CM is super expensive, and not available in all sizes like the round stuff.

A1Skinner wrote:

courierguy wrote:I can relate. The newer RANS S-7's have spring style gear, and it is tempting as it is so obviously less draggy, BUT I'm not giving up my Cub style gear, drag be damned!

But, I did totally fair all the exposed round tubing, and covered the gear legs, that will make a significant difference on your bird as well, not only in cruise, but fuel burn, climb rate, range, etc. etc.

After I had my gear mod installed in west Idaho by John Roberts of Avweld, I had to fly it home......and remember thinking as I climbed over the Boise foothills : "hot day, bad air, kinda sinky." No big deal though.....then a few days later while climbing through a very familiar mountain pass right behind my place, in nice cool early AM air, I gradually realized I was lower then usual. Over the next few days, I came to realize the overall performance of the plane was less then before, and then the light came on, GEAR DRAG. Yeah you can counter it with more throttle, but once I faired everything I gained the performance I was used to back.

I was thinking the other day, why does noone build gear with streamlined tubing? I'm guessing it's because the tubing isnt as strong?

Yep.

This guy putting cub gear on his Rebel has given me the terrible idea of putting Stinson gear on my Bearhawk.