The Murphy Builders Site

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Fri, 13 Nov 1998 14:56:42 -0800
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From: "Tim Carter" <tlcarter@email.msn.com>
To: "'Rebel Builder's Group List'" <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Subject: changes to the bungee gear
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 14:44:45 -0800
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Dave:

Do you have details of your changes to the bungee gear? Specs, drawings,
etc...? I plan to use the bungee gear and would be interested in your
improvements to it.

Tim C
#438R

-----Original Message-----
From: subersys [mailto:subersys@nidlink.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 12, 1998 7:58 AM
To: (Murphy Rebel)
Subject: Re: strengthening for O320 and spring gear; float
reinforcement?


Bob,
I dare to differ. I believe through 2 complete gear failures that the
spring
gear is probably a better system, stronger, safer, if used right out of the
box. Having been the reason for the safety cable AD was the first failure.
And
a ground loop being the reason for the second. Had the gear stayed together
in
the ground loop incident I would not have spent the next 9 months
rebuilding.
Yet.........in getting and starting the mod for the spring gear the same
feeling
of nausea (and much greater in strength)overcame that actual installation.

Everytime I have had that little voice induce nausea in my brain it was for
good
reason. That is why I sent the spring gear back and rebuilt the original
gear
out of chromemoly. Yes it is heavier than the aluminum gear, but I won't be
rebuilding the airplane every other year. Twice is enough. In regards to
the
aluminum spring gear visualize this. Touch down on a rough mountain strip
and
encounter a gopher hole. I see bolt heads popping and the creation of a
retractable gear. Yes, the Murphy demos have not had a problem, but keep in
mind who has been flying the demos. Robin hasn't made a lot of bad landings
lately. A drop test is fine and strainght down it will come through every
time. Try a drop test while encountering that gopher hole at 30 mph. Food
for
thought.

I do agree that the bungee gear is better, but only after mods. I also
reinforced the fus between the front and rear attach point with 2" square
tube.
No more wrinkling of skins in the door area.

I believe that any area of the airplane that is cause for concern needs to
be
looked at really hard, as I have had problems with every area that has ever
been
a concern. Don't consider that since Murphy designed it it must be okay.
The
design testing is a result of years of use. More AD's will come and go as
weaknesses are discovered. Better to look ahead and visualize the trouble
before it happens.

The float fix. That became apparent right away after the groundloop. The
rivets sheared full lenght of the door post, the windshield shattered, the
engine almost left the firewall. I believe the nose area needs major
strength
mods. Just my own personal feelings. Created through experience.

Don't think I don't love the airplane. It is wonderful and I would build
another in a heartbeat. What a joy to fly.

Dave Bangle

Bob Patterson wrote:

Alister,
I had another look at the "floatfix" bulletin, and it doesn't
mention the extra rivets - maybe just being updated now ??

All the more reason to check with Tech Support directly - there
may be other recent additions as well.

I agree completely - if you're still building, ADD THE MODS !!
Even if you don't plan floats !

There is no question that the bungee gear is stronger, better
triangulated to spread the loads, and MUCH more effective in energy
dissipation (the friction of hundreds of strands of rubber, rubbing
over each other !). It is also 28 lb. lighter, and about $700 cheaper !

BUT - the spring gear looks sexy, and "Cessna did it, so it
must be good" ..... Murphy bowed to customer demand.

You're right about the problems with Cessnas - ask anyone
who's owned one for a while about the inspections and problems with
the gear box structure . Again, these are things that the general
public DOESN'T hear about - they only hear the good bits. ALL aircraft
have problem areas (the fuel system on the Aeronca Sedan comes to
mind !! - horrible !!)

Please keep us posted on progress ....

Thanks ! .....bobp

--------------------------orig.--------------------------------------
At 07:56 PM 11/8/98 +1300, you wrote:

Hi Dan,

I see Dave has sent the address to pick up the floatfix bulletin,

Thanks

Dave!) but remember that Bob mentioned that there has been an addition to
that very recently, that is, the addition of more and larger diameter
rivets down the doorposts.

Bob suggests to contact Murphy for details on this, it sounds like a good
idea and I am certainly going to make a move in this area.

This is a quote straight from the Murphy crowd, ' even though you're not

on

floats its obvious that its only a matter of time before this ( the
floatfix problem) will affect you'.

I think all Rebel owners should take note of this whether they intend to
fit floats or not.

Cheers

Alister

----------

From: Dan Morehouse <morehous@az.com>
To: (Murphy Rebel) <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Subject: Re: strengthening for O320 and spring gear; float

reinforcement?

Date: Saturday, November 07, 1998 6:05 PM

Thanks for the response, Alister, but I need a bit more help. I went to

the

MAM page, used their search feature and plugged in 'floatfix.doc' which
yielded something on the nicopress thingy. Do you know where I could

get

this gem?

Take it easy,
Dan

Alister Yeoman wrote:

will

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