Tue Feb 20, 2018 4:02 pm
#1592232
We had a talk from a local Safran engineer on the A400M at one of the monthly JAM volunteers' club/training nights some time ago. It was, of course, 'Safran Gloucester' (ie 'Dowty') folk who designed the undercarriage (as they did for all Airbuses; and for the B787), but production manufacturing was possibly to move elsewhere; possibly Spain, to be close to final assembly.
One possibly optional feature mentioned as designed from the outset but for possible elimination for some/all customers was in the undercarriage. Each of the ?3 2-wheel bogies of the main undercarriage on each side is on separate legs, separately retracted and shock-absorbed. Part of the design was that, on the ground and under APU power, individual legs could be retracted to enable tyre changes in the field, the airfrrame being adequately supported by the remaining 2 on that side. This would eliminate the need to carry (or have flown in) adequate jacks.
This seemed to me a brilliant idea for a transporter which may fly into rough surfaces, possibly in combat zones. A pity if it were eliminated.
(mere guide at) Jet Age Museum, Gloucestershire Airport
http://www.jetagemuseum.org/TripAdvisor Excellence Award 2015
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... gland.html