Hall Bulldog Landing Gear Design Study - July 2021
Part of The Hall Bulldog Project — documenting Bob Hall's 1932 Thompson Trophy racer.
Explore the Project →This design study from Kevin Kimball examines landing gear options for the Hall Bulldog replica project. The original Bulldog featured a unique center-pivoting main gear design that Bob Hall later refined for the Stinson SR series of aircraft.
The Hall Bulldog’s Unique Gear Design
The main gear legs on the Hall Bulldog pivot in the aircraft centerline, which was an unusual feature for its era. This design allows the gear legs to absorb landing loads by rotating inward, providing effective shock absorption without complex oleo strut mechanisms.
Landing Gear Options Study
Kevin evaluated different gear configurations to determine the best approach for the replica:
Stinson SR-Style Gear
The Stinson SR-10 landing gear represents Bob Hall’s refined version of the center-pivoting concept he first used on the Bulldog. This style offers proven reliability and parts availability.
Stinson SR-10 Reference Photos
Historical photos of the Stinson SR-10 landing gear provided reference for the design study:
Jenkins-Style Gear
An alternative Jenkins-style gear configuration was also evaluated:
Aileron Linkage Refinements
During this period, Kevin also made refinements to the aileron linkage design:
About Kevin Kimball
Kevin Kimball of JKE Works brings extensive experience with vintage aircraft to the Hall Bulldog project. His familiarity with Bob Hall’s later work on the Stinson SR series informs the structural engineering decisions for the replica.
