Landing Gear Q & A

Revised: December 07, 1998

• While studying my set of prints, I came across what appears to be a conflict between 2 of the prints. #151 shows -29, tailwheel spring bracket, and -31, tailwheel spring retainer, to be made for a 1 1/4" 3-leaf spring. #152 calls for a spring made of 3/4" stock. Is one wrong? Are both wrong? Are both right? What's the scoop on this?

Date: 96-01-22 23:57:27 EST

From: ACRO240Y@aol.com

Both are right, the idea was for the option of the using the leaf spring or the stainless stinger that we build.

Date: 96-01-23 14:23:16 EST

From: JAWS1D@aol.com

I beleive the plan is attempting to show 2 options for building the tailwheel spring. 1) a 3 leaf spring , and 2) a solid spring. The attachments to the fuselage differ for each type. I purchased a solid spring and wheel from Doug Dodge, it is nicely made. Just a note: the plans do not show a bushing at the fuselage attach point to bolt the spring to. Also you may wish to change from round tubing to square tubing in the fuselage at this point. I had already welded in round tubing but ended up splitting a 3/4"X .049 square tube and welding it in place over the round tube. This seems to provide a little more clearance for the bushing and also allows the fwd stab. flying wire attachments to made as one piece and bolted at this same point, in addition to welded it.

Hints and Tips

RE: Tail Wheel

Date: 97-05-04 07:26:01 EDT

From: fflightone@msn.com

We hade trouble with the tailwheel tracking which was a 3 inch sloid spring groundhanding was bad had a hard time ruing stright .So we whent to a 6 inch tailwheel which made a world of differance. From Roger Rourke

RE: Tail Wheel

 

Date: 97-10-09 11:17:32 EDT

 

From: ddavila546@aol.com

 

Tail wheels--after flying an RV-4 a lot, I installed a RV tail spring and wheel on my one design. It is full swivel, has a large tire, (6") and was easy to install, as well as cheaper. Has not flown yet on this airplane, but it sure looks good!

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