How does the Dash 8’s landing gear retract compared to the Fokker F27? #airplane #aviation #aircraft

The Bombardier Dash 8 (De Havilland Canada DHC-8) has a unique high-wing, twin-turboprop design with its main landing gear positioned behind the engines but retracting rearward into the fuselage rather than folding outward into the nacelles. Let’s break this down in detail and compare it to similar aircraft.

Landing Gear Mechanism of the Dash 8

Location:

The main landing gear is mounted behind the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100 series turboprop engines on each wing.

The nose gear is under the forward fuselage.

Retraction Mechanism:

The main gear retracts rearward into fairings attached to the lower fuselage.

These fairings, known as “canoe fairings”, are streamlined pods that house the gear when retracted, reducing drag.

The gear doors open, allowing the wheels to move up and lock into place.

Why This Design?

Keeps the fuselage floor low, which makes boarding easier.

Ensures more ground clearance for the propellers.

Maintains a simpler, stronger structure compared to wing-mounted gear designs.

Similar Aircraft with Rearward-Retracting Gear Behind Engines

1. ATR 42 / ATR 72

The ATR series (42 & 72) also has high-wing twin turboprop designs.

The main gear is behind the engines and retracts rearward into fuselage-mounted fairings, similar to the Dash 8.

Difference: The ATR has a lighter structure and lower landing gear ground clearance.

2. Saab 340 / Saab 2000

These Swedish turboprop airliners have similar rearward-retracting main landing gear behind their wing-mounted engines.

The gear is stored in fairings attached to the lower fuselage, just like the Dash 8.

Difference: The Saab 2000 is faster and has a longer fuselage than the Dash 8-100/200 series.

3. Fokker F27 Friendship

The Fokker F27 has its landing gear behind the engines, but unlike the Dash 8, it retracts outward into the engine nacelles rather than the fuselage.

Difference: The Dash 8’s fuselage fairings allow for a stronger wing structure, while the F27’s outward-retracting gear saved space inside the fuselage.

4. Antonov An-24 / An-26 / An-32

The Antonov An-24 and its derivatives have main landing gear positioned behind the engines, retracting into the engine nacelles.

Difference: Unlike the Dash 8, these aircraft are designed for rugged, unpaved airstrips, so their landing gear is more robust.

Key Takeaways

The Dash 8’s landing gear is positioned behind the engines but retracts rearward into fuselage fairings, not outward.

Other aircraft like the ATR 42/72 and Saab 340/2000 use similar mechanisms.

Some aircraft, like the Fokker F27 and Antonov An-24, fold their gear into the engine nacelles instead of the fuselage.

Would you like images or diagrams to better visualize these mechanisms?

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