For you aviation buffs ...

[NutmegCT]

Talk about planning ahead. Just park your Bell P-63 on the ramp and wait for snow. (Taken in October 1945)

 

[Keoke]

Always thought they were ugly as sin, This guy must also have a P39 for summer use.---Keoke---

 

[bgbassplyr]

Thats why we sent um to Russia in WW II.

 

[aeronca65t]

I'm guessing they don't retract, so the thing must be a pig in the air.

And I wonder if those P-63 guys ever got used to having the prop-shaft run between their legs?

I've flown the J-3 below. Steering on snow is weird and of course, there's no brakes. Turning really only works if you have enough forward speed to have rudder authority. And if you "force" a turn too much, you can damage the gear.
I prefer wheels.

 

[DrEntropy]

And I wonder if those P-63 guys ever got used to having the prop-shaft run between their legs?

Me ol' fella told me of those as a kid. I've since given a lot of though to havin' a prop shaft spinnin' at engine RPM that close to me important stuff... but never have owned a rear engined RWD or cattywhumpus engined FWD car, but it makes ya THINK. :shocked:

 

[TRMark]

And I wonder if those P-63 guys ever got used to having the prop-shaft run between their legs?

Me ol' fella told me of those as a kid. I've since given a lot of though to havin' a prop shaft spinnin' at engine RPM that close to me important stuff... but never have owned a rear engined RWD or cattywhumpus engined FWD car, but it makes ya THINK. :shocked:

Ever look at an old front engine slingshot dragster? Legs are spread and over the axles with the "important stuff" within inches of the pumpkin. No, don't think I would like that.

 

[PAUL161]

Always wanted to fly with skis, just for the heck of it. Never have though. My sons Wilga had skis that retract to expose the wheels. Neat setup if your flying out of snow to a dry landing zone. It's a goofy looking aircraft, but will get you in and out of places you could only imagine. Has extremely rough field landing gear.
Here's a look alike.

 

[aeronca65t]

Wilgas are cool! I've seen them at airshows.

Remind me of a ~Storch~

 

[PAUL161]

Wilgas are cool! I've seen them at airshows.

Remind me of a ~Storch~

Yeah they do Nial. Lots of vision. Wilgas have a peculiar starting system, but works well in very cold weather. They have an air start system, whereas stored compressed air is injected directly into the cylinders to spin the engine. You have to carry a spare aluminum scuba tank as a spare, just in case the engine doesn't start on the on board tank. Their landing gear takes a little getting used to as it's very flexible with long strokes and will have a tendency to duck walk if your not careful which in turn can cause landing gear failure and you know what can happen after that.

 

[aerog]

I've heard some Wilgas have Lycoming conversions, haven't seen one though.

A sizable number of guys in our airplane club get all excited in the fall, waiting for the first snowfall so they can yank the wheels off their airplanes.