Viewing page 201 of 415

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

(21)

streamlining the tank, had to be demolished in order to get at the tank for repairs. The streamline fairings were, therefore, altered and made in two parts. 

(b) Landing gear. The difficulties in this respect started with the axles. These were rather thin (55 x 2.6 mm) and as the slots in which the axle moves vertically were not lubricated sufficiently the axle wore very quickly at the critical point and, in a few instances, gave way. Heavier axles (55 x 5 mm.) were mounted and more attention was given to lubrication of the axle sloths in the chassis. 

The next difficulty was that there was too much lateral play of the axle. This caused broken wheels because the shock absorber hands came in contact with the wheel spokes. Distance rings were mounted, this doing away with the difficulty. 

The shock absorber hands consisting of two short tubes welded to the chassis and ending in a small flange were too weak. These were reinforced by mounting an inner tube in each. 

The wheels were too small and rather weak. They were replaced by bigger and stronger wheels. 

The diagonal bracing in the chassis were fixed

698