Douglas B-23 #15 frontal view

Douglas B-23 #15 frontal view

B-23 Dragon #15 frontal view

The landing gear system of the aircraft was a significant advancement over its predecessor, offering complete enclosure of the landing gear components within the nacelles, eliminating the exposure seen in earlier models like the B-18. Here are the key details:

Main Landing Gear:

  1. Design and Enclosure:

    • The landing gear was hydraulically operated and fully retractable, with each unit functioning independently.
    • When retracted, the gear was enclosed by large clamshell doors attached to the nacelles by piano-type hinges.
    • The landing gear doors were automatically operated by linkage connected to the gear’s rear brace strut.
    • A safety mechanism ensured the gear was securely locked in the down position, indicated by a green signal light. Additionally, a horn sounded if the engines were throttled while the gear was not in the safe landing position.
  2. Wheels and Tires:

    • The gear was equipped with 45×20.00-18 wheels paired with eight-ply, smooth contour tires.
    • Each wheel had two 14 inch x 4 inch duo-servo, hydraulically actuated brakes.
    • A parking brake was included for extended parking situations.
  3. Shock Absorbers:

    • The system featured air-oil shock absorber struts that were firmly clamped to the axle of each wheel.
    • These struts were connected at their upper ends by rigid trusses, which were manipulated by a hydraulically operated strut for retraction, causing the upper truss to rotate forward and upward into the nacelle.

Tail Wheel:

  1. Swiveling and Retraction:

    • The tail wheel was fully swiveling and hydraulically retracted, with its own set of doors for full enclosure.
    • It was integrated into the main landing gear’s operation, with extension, retraction, and latching occurring simultaneously.
    • The tail wheel could be locked in a trailing position for takeoff and landing.
  2. Wheel and Tire:

    • The tail wheel was equipped with a 22×9.00-6 wheel and an eight-ply, smooth contour tire.

Published at 1190 × 896 px.
Link to full-size photo:
Douglas B-23 #15 frontal view

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