F-22A tailwheel conversion

[jw96385]

Anyone out there know what's involved in changing an F-22A back to a tailwheel?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

Easiest way is to sell it and buy a tailwheel plane. Not trying to be glib here, and I actually don't "get it" on the nose dragger's, but they are actually pretty rare and I would hate to have one modified by changing it to a tail dragger when so many tail wheel planes are out there already. For the nose gear lovers the loss of a nose wheel plane would be a real tragedy. I hate to see an airplane be modified when it isn't really necessary (or cost effective).
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

The F22A was never a taildragger to start with, so it can't be "changed back".

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

All my Taylorcrafts are close to the war years so I just assumed when he said F-22A it was the designation for a nose dragger. If the 22A started put as a tail wheel plane I would have NO problem taking it back to original (lots of problems with taking it from tail to nose in the first place, but none with taking it back). If the F-22A IS the designation for a nose dragger, and if it was even possible to modify it, I wouldn't.
Leave the tricycles for the kids who like them. They look cute on the flight line with the traditional Taylorcrafts.
Hank

[RobertP]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

Being a F22A owner myself I would like to know why he ever considered the idea? especially as they seem to be such rare beasts? I presume that he his unhappy with the Tricycle setup for some reason?

[Robert Lees]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

To compete with the (then) Cessna 150 & 152 market, which of course died because of the Americans' love of lawyers.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

Americans don't love lawyers, they just breed so well in the current enviroment!
Hank

[cubby]

Re: F-22A tailwheel conversion

Robert.,
My 1992 F22A nose wheel Taylorcraft, can be changed from a nose wheel Aircraft ,to a tail dragger, but as Hank Jarrett has said, it,s not cost effective, as the gear Landing gear would have to be replaced ,with the f21 or 22, tail wheel landing gear , and then the Engine mount, would have to changed out ,as the nose wheel on mine is one piece ,so a new engine mount would have to installed also, a tail wheel would have to be installed ,and steps would have to be purchased and installed, my Taylorcraft came from the factory ,with the forward landing gear brackets, already attached, as i have pictures on the forumn, to show,there placement.,but Jarrett is correct, the cost would mount up fast, just buying the parts ,and then the down time, installing these parts, time and labour,as Forest said, they made some with the fittings, and put nose wheel gear on one side, and tail wheel gear ,on the opposite side ,he said he would put the pictures ,on the Forumn, but never did,so I assume he couldn,t find the pictures, or just didn,t have time to look for them,it would be something, to see his pictures, from the Factory however,have a great day sir.

cubby
Paul
Mar/14/2015