Transport rack

[lrogers]

The problem, getting four helos and a big flight box to/from the field in the back of a pick up truck while avoiding the afternoon pop-up thunder showers. The solution, put a cap on the truck and build a rack to secure the helos! Worked out pretty well and put a big dent in the scrap wood pile in the shop.

The rack is shown on the work bench because it shows up better for the pictures. The front upper rack removes and the lower tray slides out for easier access. The rack is sized to fit snug between the wheel wells and the front end/tail gate of the truck.

[ragswl4]

The problem, getting four helos and a big flight box to/from the field in the back of a pick up truck while avoiding the afternoon pop-up thunder showers. The solution, put a cap on the truck and build a rack to secure the helos! Worked out pretty well and put a big dent in the scrap wood pile in the shop.

The rack is shown on the work bench because it shows up better for the pictures. The front upper rack removes and the lower tray slides out for easier access. The rack is sized to fit snug between the wheel wells and the front end/tail gate of the truck.

Genius! Nice design. Probably didn't cost 1/20 of what a dropped bird would cost.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[Pappy]

Great idea, and it looks good, too!

[siliconbauhaus]

nice....I'd love to learn how to fly those

[Ken Massingale]

Ingenious, and it looks nice too.

[cabinetman]

Larry

Very innovative. Just shows what extensive planning and design can do, and good craftsmanship.

[lrogers]

Extensive planning and design????? I wish, but thank you all for the kind words! This is the first time I started a project with out a drawing or at least a sketch, just an idea rolling around in my head. I just "winged it" and let the final design "evolve". This thing had more design changes than a Pentagon defense project. The removeable top shelf came about when I discovered the scale helo was too high to pass under it! But, in the end it worked and worked well. Really made me think through some of the "engineering difficulties".
The design is very adaptable and can be easily modified as the number/type of helos change. The whole thing is surprisenly light and is easy to remove from the truck, though it will spend most of the time in the truck (no place else to store it).

The next project will be a smaller, lighter flight support box that still has the room to carry everything the current beast carries.

[cabinetman]

Larry

Have you thought about maybe marketing something like that to the hobby?

[lrogers]

No, never even gave it a thought. Every one would have to be custom made to fit the truck and I just don't think enough guys would be willing to pay a fair price to make it worth wild.
I posted it on several of the helo forums in hopes that it gives other pilots some ideas to solve their transport problems.

Besides, if I start building thses things, when would I have time to go fly?????

[mater]

Nice idea. It also looks good.

[cgallery]

That is very neat and nicely executed. How many more aircraft could you fit on that?

[cabinetman]

No, never even gave it a thought. Every one would have to be custom made to fit the truck and I just don't think enough guys would be willing to pay a fair price to make it worth wild.
I posted it on several of the helo forums in hopes that it gives other pilots some ideas to solve their transport problems.

Besides, if I start building thses things, when would I have time to go fly?????

Larry


Hear me out on this. Don't poo poo the idea so quickly. You could make a rack that is adjustable both in width, length, and height by using hardware like this. If you think about the individuals involved with helos, they aren't cheap. Plus they all have the same problem in transporting. Could be a great part time gig. And, it's not like you are unfamiliar with the products involved or the interest groups.

[lrogers]

Cgallery;
I think I could get at least 2 more of the larger helos and 3 or 4 of the smaller ones like the T-rex. That will not become an issue since I would be a dead man for even considering that many! for some strange reason, LOML doesn't share my love of the hobby. I do want to get one more helo, a larger one powered by a gasser (weedeater type) engine.

Cabinetman,
You really think there might be a market out there for such a rack? I might have to give this a re-think and see how I could make the design more adjustable and easier to prefab/build/disassemble for shipping.

[cabinetman]

Cabinetman,
You really think there might be a market out there for such a rack? I might have to give this a re-think and see how I could make the design more adjustable and easier to prefab/build/disassemble for shipping.

You needed one, and you like yours. If they aren't on the market yet, others in the hobby don't think about buying one, YET. You might think about a small ad in the hobby magazines or club newsletters. Since you already have your "sample", it should only take a little creative thinking on where to cut, put in some oblong holes, and add a "T" nut with a tightening knob.

Hey, give it some thought. We're all here to help you...on the forum of course.