T-34 Preflight Question

[notyco]

Hey guys my onwing asked me a question concerning preflight and I didn't know the answer and I'm having trouble finding anybody who knows the answer. When inspecting the main landing gear there is a wood or graphite block that butts up against where a spring attatches to the outboard side wall of the gear well. You are suppose to check that block for security however I can not find where it says to check that block for security. So if anybody knows where it says to check it I would greatly appreciate it. I've checked the big NATOPs, the pocket NATOPS, the preflight gouge from TRWING4 and bother TRWING4 and VT27 SOP's. I also checked everything in on the read and initial board. I have asked numerous other students and a fair number of IP's and none of them seem to know where it says to check it. Thanks your help is greatly appreciated and will probably save me from a ready room down.
Caleb

 

[saltpeter]

Great question and this is what this forum should be about. Although I have no idea, I'd reccomend asking your onwing directly, seems fishy that other instructors don't know the answer. Also, ask the maintenance guys. They're civilians and will assist anyone for a free six pack.

 

[Chubby]

What spring? The one for the uplock? Just trying to get a better idea of what you are talking about.

 

[SteveG75]

A lot of guys look at things that aren't explicitly called out in NATOPS. These are usually things that have bitten them at one time or another or have bitten a buddy. I know that I had things on the EA-6B that I liked to doublecheck.

 

[gregsivers]

To be honest, I don't remember anything about a block in the main gear well. But seriously, ask the maintenance guys. They love it when you act interested and ask them questions, they'll gladly share their knowledge of the plane, and it is VAST. I asked them a question one time about the P3 air that wasn't in the NATOPS, and he answered immediately.

 

[notyco]

My onwing specifically said it was written somewhere I tried asking him for a hint or something and he just told me to keep looking. But I think I will try and go talk to the mechs. Hopefully they know something or I can find it in maintnence pub or something.
To be more specific with what you are actuelly checking I will try and get a picture of it because that is the only other way I can think of but the spring is attatched to the uplock cable.

Caleb

 

[rare21]

my onwing asked some funky questions in primary that i couldnt find in NATOPS. When not known the normal "well look it up and get back to me" would occur. After one such question i went looking for the answer and i thought i asked the most technically knowledgable instructor and he didnt know what it was. We all had to walk to a maintenance guy to ask what it was and it was just a couple to route wires to the prop.

Yes ask the mechs..they'll know it..and i vaguely remember something about that block. After that incident i'd go straight to the mechs...many were glad that you took the time to talk to them and pick at their brains.

 

[gaijin6423]

The wood block is required to be checked (as far as I know) by VT-27 SOP. If the block is not installed (missing) OR the spring is not properly strung through it (not curled around far enough), supposedly a gear-up landing will result, although no one's been able to answer WHY it would happen. No, it's not required to be checked, per NATOPS, but our SOP requires it.

 

[beau]

crap....quick name the 5 pieces of wood found in a T-34C?.....cause I totally forgot what they are!

or is it 6??

 

[notyco]

Can you tell me where in the VT27 SOP it is because I've read it and I can't find it any where in there. Thanks
Caleb

 

[gregsivers]

Uh, I think the cockpit defog control and enviro control lever knobs are wood?

Here's one for you: there's 4 bolts on the bottom of the wing(each wing I think) that are different from all the rest, what are they for?

 

[gregsivers]

The wood block is required to be checked (as far as I know) by VT-27 SOP. If the block is not installed (missing) OR the spring is not properly strung through it (not curled around far enough), supposedly a gear-up landing will result, although no one's been able to answer WHY it would happen. No, it's not required to be checked, per NATOPS, but our SOP requires it.

Yet another reason 28 is better.

 

[gaijin6423]

Hmm... Now that you mention it, I'm not really sure WHERE it's at in the SOP. Or if it even IS in the SOP, to be honest. I just know that different IPs asked it several times in the contact phase. My onwing was big on checking it, too. I asked one of the L3 maintainers once, and he went into some kind of trance, speaking in tongues.

There you go w/ the "Oooo, I'M in 28" crap again! I'm just going to start shooting every ranger I see on the way out to the Golf line w/ the pencil flares in my sv-2. So WHAT if you're IPs are nicer??? So WHAT if you don't normally get double-pumped through BIs, RIs, and everything else??? So WHAT if... Hey, wait a minute. Know where I can get a subdued 28 patch...cheap? (The social fund took all my money...)

Oh, and the pieces of wood? The "wood blocks" aren't really wood, they're fiberglass/graphite/some other random material. There are two wooden tongue depressors on each ICS cord (wrapped in tape) and one or two more in the first aid kit. Bringing the total to 5 or six--I forget.

 

[gregsivers]

Yeah, the 28 PAO sells the subdued patches, a couple bucks I think. I just had to throw that in about 28. No hard feelings man. Didn't know about the ICS cord wood.

 

[E5B]

Did they change the policy in 28: it used to be Marines had to wear the subdued patch and Navy wore the yellow one??


yeah, I got asked that "wood block" question too and for the life of me I can't remember the answer. Let us know when you find out, now I'm curious (don't know why).


oh yeah, and 27 sucks