27 P-40 Landing Gear Retraction Gears

The gears at the upper right allow the main gear wheels of the P-40 to swivel 90 degrees during retraction to fit snugly in their wheel wells. In this photo the uppermost gear is stationary and bolted to the wheel well. The lower gear, which is attached to the main gear strut, turns as one with the strut and wheel. As the gear is retracted rearwards (to the left in this photo) the teeth on the gear on the main gear strut mesh with the stationary gear in the wheel well, causing the main gear strut and wheel to turn 90 degrees. It's a very simple and foolproof design.