I found a 9+ mph speed increase from fitting spats to 500x5 wheels on my TD.
I got a further 10 mph from leg fairings, but in this instance you have to
bear in mind that the rectangular section gearleg provides about 50 sq. ins
of flat plate area; whereas the tri-gear legs present an elliptical section
to the relative airflow.
Further, the low point of application of undercarriage drag means that an
equal and opposite moment has to be provided by the tailplane, creating more
trim drag. So the effect of the fairings was a win-win benefit.
Have not found anything like as much gain in any other single area of drag
reduction.
Duncan McF.
----- Original Message -----
From: <BEBERRY@aol.com>
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Hey Guys...
>
>
> Speed Kit,
>
>
> Still no answers! I am fitting my speed kit to my Tri Gear and still
> hoped
> that someone would tell me if I am doing this to gain extra
> performance/better fuel figures , or am I just doing a cosmetic job?
>
> Any more comments?. The correspondence has been interesting and I
> suppose
> that we shall only get subjective points of view on many aspects of the
> aeroplane but the question of whether a speed kit is effective,
> performance wise,
> should be relatively easy to answer - or do I have to wait until I can
> get
> airborne again.?
>
> Please !!!
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
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