Tail Wheel and Skid
The Tail Wheel assembly was started late. I could not decide between the original "A" Frame set up or the newer leaf spring arrangment favored by many over in Europe. Although I tend toward the original, the tail wheel is one area which has changed quite a bit over the years. Even BHP opted to update from a skid to a tail wheel in later models. If I was assured of always having a turf runway to land on I would stick to a tail skid, but those days are long gone I am afraid. So, having decided on a tail wheel, I thought the investment in this critical part, justified the small outlay and savings in time. I opted for the 4" "Home Builder" tail wheel from ACS.
1 Feb 2012 - Received the HB tail wheel from ACS. Started to plan out the "A" frame assembly, tubing collected. Will start it soon.27 Feb 2012 - Purchased a full size leaf spring from a company in Maryland ($13). The 1/4" thick steel is extremely strong and although it is flexible, it does not bend or reshape easily. I cut off a piece, heated it, and bent the piece into a shape to fit the tail wheel attachment point, of my first tail wheel design.Hours: 1.0
23 Sep 2016 - Time to get back into it, I picked up where I left off. I decided to stick with the traditional A-Frame and integrate my new tail wheel. In order to build and attached BHP's planned A-Frame I decided to beef up the underside of the fuselage where the attachment points will go. I think this is a good idea and try to do this anytime I drill thru the fuselage frame.
Just for the heck of it, I took a small piece of 2x4 and cut it exactly as the size of the attachment points on the fuselage. I think this will help (as a jig) when I go to build the A-Frame.Hours: 1.0
Just for the heck of it, I took a small piece of 2x4 and cut it exactly as the size of the attachment points on the fuselage. I think this will help (as a jig) when I go to build the A-Frame.Hours: 1.0
.jpg)
.jpg)
1-20 Jan 2017Continued to form the A-frame for the tail wheel/skid. After several attempts and designs, I desided to stick with the tail skid, because it is much lighter, and then design a wheel later. I welded the A-frame and made the attachment points.Hours: 10.0
Designing a skid...
Jan 2018 - Desided to design a tail skid that could be interchanged to use on grass or asphalt. Its an on-going design.Hours: 2.0