Re: lots of wheelz with russian airliners
Originally posted by Jeanske_SN
hi i noted that russian airliners have more wheels than western. do they think it’s cool (it is actually, look at the tu 144). the tu 154 has the number of wheels like the 777 but it maybe wheigs half. and the tu 204 is an a321 but it has wheels like the 757.
Hi Jeanske,
Wysiswyg and Theplane are right! I remember reading an interview with the main designer of the Tu124 he was asked “why he designed the main gear that heavy and rugged as it does not have a good effect on the descent?” he answered: “Do you think i’m crazy? I know very well that the landing is not affected positively, but in the harsh winters of Siberia and unpaved strips could damaged a landing gear beyond repair” ……i was so impressed by this that i never forgot this quote and it was some 10-15 years ago that i read it. It is true that the more wheels the better the weight is distributed and does not press as much on the strip or taxiway. This means a much better handling on the ground especially on unpaved runways as the plane does not sink in the mud or sink in the ground.
The larger western aircrafts also use this principle see B747, A340, DC10/MD11, Galaxy C5 or the newly C17.
IO hope this helps 😀
Sign In
