After working on these for a couple of years as a side project (to my day job) I would like to do a better presentation on these with a full product description below, and photos of these mounted on over a dozen customers that are happy and flying with them since last year. I produce these in my home, one set at a time, for those interested in having a set of the lightest and strongest wheel pants available today. Please contact me for pricing if interested. It takes me a little while to make them, but if you're in on the queue you can have some for your airplane project relatively soon.

GM


GM Composites 35% - 40% Wheel Pants

Most fiberglass wheel pant halves are laid up by hand and pressed wet into a mold with a thick, heavy gel coat on the mold face. This allows the outer surface to be very smooth and glossy to look much nicer than if it were molded directly and then coated and painted, the halves are later joined by a thin fiberglass strip. This entire process results in a thick, and brittle composite that does not withstand flex very well. These are the wheel pants found in most ARF kits. They are robust in term of wind resistance, but they do NOT like to flex. This is why most wheel pants fail on the landing gear-mounting area. You can make the wheel pant extra thick and tough to handle tall grass, but again you are just setting up to have an greater failure when you finally do collide with something stronger…you may also see failures along the seam line or the wheel opening.

The approach taken with carbon fiber is much different. While this material is known to be much stronger than fiberglass it is even more resistant when properly vacuum infused, as you have now introduced the epoxy resin into the entire matrix of fabric, allowing the carbon fabric to exhibit its greatest properties. The wheel pants I am producing are not made by wet-lay up, or vacuum bagging, they are molded and vacuumed dry, first, THEN infused with thin, UV resistant, epoxy resin. The result is an incredibly strong composite that has the ability to deform and then snap back into shape with little to no visible damage. These will last a long time, and take much abuse.

To keep the weight down these are 1 ply in non-critical areas, and double ply where stresses are the greatest. Only pure carbon fabric is used, no filler material or other fabrics are employed into the laminate. A light, 1” wide fiberglass strip to join the halves provides structural support over the joining area. The edges are finished cleanly with almost no seam-line, and the fabric weaves are molded purposefully to coincide, adding beauty to the part.

These wheel pants are just the right thickness at the landing gear mounting area and have the ability to "pop" in and out of shape without cracking since they are resin infused. I use 2x2 twill carbon fiber that is very strong, cosmetically attractive, and VERY light, most sets come in at less than 2.8 ounces per pair!

Physical dimensions: 12" long x 3.5" tall and 3" wide. They can accommodate up to a 5" tire.

Also, with permission from the customer, I would like to share his project photos in which he painted very nice accent lines on the wheel pants I made for him this past summer. They go very nice with the scheme of his aircraft.

Additionally, some photos of a set of wheel pants I produced recently (for my own plane) using 4x4 weave carbon fiber. This is a thicker fabric and is the type of weave you see in some of today's "Hypercar" vehicles. It is mostly for eye-lust, but it serves in strength and durability that much more. Available on special request.

GM

how much are they a pair

What are the actual physical sizes ?

Originally Posted by rooman

What are the actual physical sizes ?

They are 12" long x 3.5" tall and 3" wide. They can accommodate up to a 5" tire.


GM

Also available is the service of wrapping your gear cuffs in carbon fiber ! I have found it best to wrap existing parts rather than molding them, due to the variety of fuselage shapes and sizes. This is a real carbon laminate with epoxy, followed by clearcoat...not a vinyl wrap or hydro-dip.

The cuffs pictured below were made for an Extreme Flight 125" Extra. Goes great against the carbon landing gear.

GM

how much for a set of wheel pants and cuff for a H9 EXTRA 300X?

Email sent, thanks!

GM

Originally Posted by jonathanmanopla

how much for a set of wheel pants and cuff for a H9 EXTRA 300X?

I ordered a set of the wheel pants. If you have any doubts about the quality, rest assured they are worth the price. Great quality and craftsmanship.

Thanks, Ron!

Very glad to hear you are enjoying them.

GM

Originally Posted by bullardrm

I ordered a set of the wheel pants. If you have any doubts about the quality, rest assured they are worth the price. Great quality and craftsmanship.

Now working on creating the masters for making 42-45% Wheelpants as well. Currently have a 35% set made and ready to ship.

PM for pricing and availability !
GM

I have a CARF 300SC 35% that needs a pair of these ....how much?

I would like to purchase a set of wheels pants for my slick-how much ? Thanks

I just received my wheel pants, they will go on a EF MXS Heavy Metal. I must say I am impressed by the quality of the work. Thanks GM

What is the weight for a 40% size?