Folding Wings - Aircraft of World War II

Velius · 03-04-2008, 02:47 PM

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone knows where I can see a schematic or a sketch on how aircraft wings fold- particularly the folding style of the wildcat and/or hellcat. I'm able to find text descriptions, but it's kinda difficult to picture it's operation without a drawing. Any info will be appreciated.

Oh, other drawings on simple folding wings (like that found on the Corsair) will be helpful also!

Thanks

Micdrow · 03-04-2008, 06:21 PM

Try this, this one is from the book published monographie on the F6F hellcat.

seesul · 03-05-2008, 01:33 AM

How does the wing locking system look like? It must be pretty strong...
How many minutes did it take to fold/unfold the wings?

Wurger · 03-05-2008, 04:48 AM

Hi,
These pics are from two books "In Detail & Scale" Vol.26 and 49 - Grummman F6F Hellcat

evangilder · 03-05-2008, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seesul

How does the wing locking system look like? It must be pretty strong...
How many minutes did it take to fold/unfold the wings?

On the Hellcat, it's very quick. A release is held in the cockpit and one person can swing the wing up into the locked position, although we typically use 2 because of the size and weight. On the Bearcat and the Zero, it's just wingtip folds.

evangilder · 03-05-2008, 08:26 AM

There's also an old thread on the F8F and Avenger wing fold mechanisms here:

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/air...mech-3251.html (grumman F8F and TBM avenger wing fold mech.)

seesul · 03-05-2008, 01:51 PM

thank you friends, it´s more clear for me now...

Velius · 03-05-2008, 03:11 PM

Very good stuff!

There were no fuel or electrical lines to be disconnected? I do remember that the Hellcat had wing tanks, but I guess they were in the inboard sections.

Wurger · 03-05-2008, 04:03 PM

Yes two main fuel tanks were mounted in the central section and the spare one under a pilot's seat.

p51flier · 09-15-2008, 10:51 AM

Does someone know the angles of the hinges (seen from the side and from the front)? From the sketches I measure alpha = 60 and beta = 30 deg. Do you think that's right? Or do you think a dummy mockup is the only way to find things out (OK 3D-CAD would also work).

tommurphy · 06-07-2009, 08:57 PM

I sent a letter to Grumman concerning the wing fold angles and they sent me the following:
1. XF4F-8 General Arrangement drawing SP1250, a section of
2. F6F-5 General Arrangement drawing # 27913, a section of
3. F4F Modelers Packet
5. F6F Modelers Packet

The alpha angle you are looking for is 63 degrees and 40 minutes from horizontal
The beta angle you are looking for is 28 degrees and 30 minutes from the vertical
Grumman address is:
Northrup Grumman History Center
Bethpage N. Y. 11714
Mail stop L05-25

p51flier · 06-08-2009, 02:17 AM

Thanks a lot

Having the data I could start making the mechanism

Well, meanwhile I have to finish the mold of the fuselage.

Joe

Aurum · 06-19-2009, 08:16 AM

Sorry. but I did not get if the wings folding was only manual with the help of 1-2 men on the deck or there were pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders and pilot could fold & unfold wings independently?

03-04-2008, 02:47 PM	#1
Velius Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Texas Posts: 250	Folding Wings Hello All, I was wondering if anyone knows where I can see a schematic or a sketch on how aircraft wings fold- particularly the folding style of the wildcat and/or hellcat. I'm able to find text descriptions, but it's kinda difficult to picture it's operation without a drawing. Any info will be appreciated. Oh, other drawings on simple folding wings (like that found on the Corsair) will be helpful also! Thanks

03-05-2008, 01:33 AM	#3
seesul Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Zlin, Czech Republic Posts: 2,489	How does the wing locking system look like? It must be pretty strong... How many minutes did it take to fold/unfold the wings? __________________ Roman Susil Zlin, Czech Republic ...a friend of Joe Owsianik,So. Plainfield, NJ, a former left waist gunner from B-17G ''Tail End Charlie" from 2ndBG,20th Sqdn who was forced to bail out on Aug. 29th, 1944 over my country.

03-05-2008, 08:26 AM	#6
evangilder "Shooter" Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 14,809	There's also an old thread on the F8F and Avenger wing fold mechanisms here: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/air...mech-3251.html (grumman F8F and TBM avenger wing fold mech.) __________________ http://www.vg-photo.com For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo Da Vinci

03-05-2008, 01:51 PM	#7
seesul Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Zlin, Czech Republic Posts: 2,489	thank you friends, it´s more clear for me now... __________________ Roman Susil Zlin, Czech Republic ...a friend of Joe Owsianik,So. Plainfield, NJ, a former left waist gunner from B-17G ''Tail End Charlie" from 2ndBG,20th Sqdn who was forced to bail out on Aug. 29th, 1944 over my country.

03-05-2008, 04:03 PM	#9
Wurger Siggy Master Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 13,974	Yes two main fuel tanks were mounted in the central section and the spare one under a pilot's seat. __________________

03-05-2008, 03:11 PM	#8
Velius Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Central Texas Posts: 250	Very good stuff! There were no fuel or electrical lines to be disconnected? I do remember that the Hellcat had wing tanks, but I guess they were in the inboard sections.

06-07-2009, 08:57 PM	#11
tommurphy Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1	wing fold angles I sent a letter to Grumman concerning the wing fold angles and they sent me the following: 1. XF4F-8 General Arrangement drawing SP1250, a section of 2. F6F-5 General Arrangement drawing # 27913, a section of 3. F4F Modelers Packet 5. F6F Modelers Packet The alpha angle you are looking for is 63 degrees and 40 minutes from horizontal The beta angle you are looking for is 28 degrees and 30 minutes from the vertical Grumman address is: Northrup Grumman History Center Bethpage N. Y. 11714 Mail stop L05-25

06-08-2009, 02:17 AM	#12
p51flier Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Austria, Tirol Posts: 8	Thanks a lot Having the data I could start making the mechanism Well, meanwhile I have to finish the mold of the fuselage. Joe

06-19-2009, 08:16 AM	#13
Aurum Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 21	Sorry. but I did not get if the wings folding was only manual with the help of 1-2 men on the deck or there were pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders and pilot could fold & unfold wings independently?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode