Gear Retraction Load Test Results

[steen]

Hans,
I am blown away by the thoroughness of your assessment of the forces needed to operate the "simple" landing gear mechanism of the Comanche.
I am also amazed at the high percentage of the available power of the standard operating mechanism required to retract the gear. The gear box and motor seem to have (in my case) a 30 year/3600hr life with no popped circuit breakers just the sound of marbles in a coffee can notifying need for overhaul/replacement,
Is it true (in the truest since of William Piper) that the gear motor is really a Cadillac (GM) convertible top or power seat motor? It is robust, for sure.
Again, thanks for a very informative piece of investigative reporting and I think I will cut the duty time of my bungees based on your info.
Steen

[Hansmeister]

In my younger years, we used 1955 Cadillac power seat motors to operate the flaps on Pazmany PL-2's.

The two are surprisingly similar in size and shape as our own gear motor assemblies.