Being somewhat concerned with the number of reported front wheel strut
fold-overs in Vans "A" models with the long spindly bent rod and strange
backward facing fork/wheel, Ive been wondering if the triangularized
motor mount/ Shertz beam is strong enough to support the loads from a
front strut.  The improvement would use a shorter, more vertical
oriented strut, possibly even using a steerable wheel arrangement.  The
shertz design looks very strong when combined with the solid support
from the motor block, even with the single rear attachment point.  What
are your thoughts?
MICHAEL D PARKER

Interesting idea.
Sounds exactly like the Questair Venture set up. No problem
welding it to the bottom of the Schertz Beam.

The big advantage
is the strut feeds the loads directly into the main mass at the front
of the airplane. Exactly the reason Jim Griswold choose that design
in the first place. Nothing new there. Mid engine race cars have been doing
doing that for the last 40 years. There is no lighter way of doing it.
The main problem is deflection steer but that
can be addressed with a couple of hard ball joint links near
the front rubber bushings. I know a guy that is making a scissor type
front nose gears for retrofit on  Questair Ventures that could be
adapted to RV use. Van G would become conflicted and perhaps have
mixed emotions :)

The main problem I see with it is it will interfere with placing
the rad under the oil pan. If you use simple cooling with the rad under
the cockpit this drawback would be mitigated. See Brian Trubee
set up in the last two pictures.

I am sure Jerry Hey can weld it up.  In that case you could make
it retractable without too much additional effort.

The Schertz beam is more than strong enough but could be made
stronger by boxing in the open bottom.

Paul Lamar ...No rotor no motor.

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