767 Undercarriage Question

[Midland63]

Sorry if this has been asked before (I did search) but why do 767s' MLGs have the forward tyres pointing down?

I was going to answer my own question and guess it was to maximise the chances of landing on all four in a flared nose up landing to save wear on the aft tyres always hitting first but then why do 747s and VC10s (others?) have their MLGs with the aft tyres hanging down?

Thanks.

[SMOC]

It is simply designed this way to fit into the wheel well, the same reason as the 747.

The 777 however is slightly different in that the truck positions itself to the fit position when the gear is selected up and not as the aircraft becomes airborne.

The A330/340 wing gear positions itself during the retraction with a mechanical link called a shortening link, the gear is pulled into the strut as the gear retracts and the gear also un-tilts mechanically as a result of this shortening.

SMOC

Photos: Boeing 767-304/ER Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/Thomsonfly/Boeing-767-304-ER/1522409/L/)

Photos: Boeing 747-236BM(SF) Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net (http://www.airliners.net/photo/MASkargo-(Air-Atlanta/Boeing-747-236BM(SF)/0946749/L/)