mast cheek plates

[Iron]

I'm building the upper mast on the raf I bought ( was in a rool over ). Could someone tell me if the two 1/2 inch holes in the top cheek plates that connect to the bottom mast are suppose to be centered in the cheek plates? thanks Roy

[KenSandyEggo]

Roy, I'd ask someone to make you a paper template of theirs to be sure. I wouldn't take the chance of just eye-balling the holes. If I still had my old pair I'd do it for you. Someone could even make a good enough template from theirs while on the gyro. The holes in the wrong place could throw the geometry out of whack. Maybe someone can correct me as being overcautious, but this is my 3 cents anyway. Don't you have the old cheek-plates? You could half-ass straighten them enough with a sledge-hammer to get the proper hole placement.

[Iron]

Ken
I did straighten one side and it looked like the bottom hole is off set maybe 3/16 th from center. The plate has a side to side bend so I'm not sure of the off set. A template would be great! Thanks Roy

[Aussie_Paul]

Roy, they are definately not both in the center. I will have a lookm in m y shed this evening but I think an old upper mast set up is out at the airport.

Do you have a construction manual with it? I lent mine and the clown has not returned it. I just hate that.

Aussie Paul.:)

[Iron]

Paul
I have the manual. Their is no dimension on any part in the manual I have. I guess raf wants you to buy the parts so you won't build them. If you have the time to check out your plates i would appreciate it. The top hole looks to be centered and the bottom hole looks to be maybe 3/16th off center i'm not sure. Thanks Roy

[Aussie_Paul]

The top hole is in the center and the lower hole is forward by 3/16". Do you need any other measurements?

Aussie Paul.:)

[Harry_S.]

I have just replaced my cheek plates.

If you care to go back to the original RAF thread you can see why I did so.

I still have the old cheek plate assembly and I will take some photos and post them here.


Cheers :)

[Iron]

Paul
Thanks for checking this for me it is appreciated. My next fix will be to replace every thing on the nose wheel. The pitman arm is gone but it does not look to hard to fab a new one. The post assemble is bent and the plate is broke in half. Thanks Roy

[Iron]

Harry
I will go back and find you thread. I would like to see the pictures. thanks Roy

[Harry_S.]

Roy;

I took this pic this morning.

The straight edge' leading edge is on the center line of the cheek plates. The scales' edge is on the center line of the hole.

I thought I was straight down with the photo...I tried to eliminate the flashback. The hole center is more like 7/32" than 3/16" on these cheek plates...but I don't think 1/32" will make much diff. Do you?!


Cheers :)

[Iron]

Harry
Thanks for posting the picture. I like to research things and get the right answers be for I do them. It saves money. Thanks Roy

[Gary_in_Orygun]

I bought a set of RAF cheek plates but didn't use them. I just have to remember where I put them. Am I too late? Are you interested?

[Harry_S.]

As I found out...the present day cheek plates are 1 inch longer than the originals.

This requires some new push/control rods and some re-rigging and flight testing.

Be forewarned.;)


Cheers :)

[Iron]

Gary
I just finished building the cheek plates. How about the pitman arm and the mast bushing? Thanks Roy

[Iron]

Harry
I think i read some where on the forum that raf started sending longer cheek plates to gain more clearence for the prop to keel. This won't be a problem I droped the keel and lowered the engine. In the rool over the push rods were bent so I replaced them Thanks Roy

[Gary_in_Orygun]

I rolled my machine in 2001. I ended up going with Sport Copter from the mast up, so I never used the cheek plates. Jim made me a set that fit his rotorhead. I don't have any other spare parts though. Good luck on your rebuild.