Wing Tie Down Fittings

[Steve Pierce]

Did Taylorcraft have wing tie down fittings? I am not real familiar with Taylorcrafts and wondered wat was commonly used. Didn't know if there was a ring that bolted through the strut/wing attach bolt, a clamp around the strut or what. Did a search but couldn't find anything.

Thanks.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Hello Steve,

A lot have cast aluminium rings strapped with a metal strap to the upper ends of the strut.

These are prone to breaking, so sensible folks either pass the rope through the ring & around the strut (using the ring to prevent the rope sliding down the strut) or even use a steel U-shaped hoop which attaches through the upper front strut bolt, like a Cub.

Am I allowed to say "Cub" here?

(I like your own Forum, and visit it frequently, as do several of my fellow Tcraft owners this side of the pond.)

[Robert Lees]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Edit: Found my photo of the tie-down rings:

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

They aren't "tie-down" rings, they are support rings to keep the rope from sliding down the struts. If you tie a rope to the very top end of the strut it is extremely strong (the strut). If you tie a rope to the middle of a strut it won't take much to bend the strut. That's why you can't use the struts as a step when getting in the plane (even "close" to the end isn't enough) and why there are "Jury struts" half way out the strut.
So the idea is to always tie to the very top end of the front strut, and NEVER let it slide down the strut. To do that just run the rope through the ring, around the strut, and back through the ring. When you tie it off the load goes through the strut top and not the ring. That's why the ring is just pot metal or aluminum and not steel. You don't need steel just to keep the rope up.
Hank

We got several "Parts planes" quite a few years ago before we could convince all the local tube and rag guys NOT to tie to the rings. It didn't take much wind to break the ring and flip their plane.

[Steve Pierce]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Thanks for the compliment Robert. Us rag and tube guys gotta stick together.

Is there a source for the clamp and ring? I can make such a thing but I would rather purchase if I could. I thought about making one like the rag wing Pipers but they are a pain to get on and off with the struts. Hank has a good point as well. Just got back from Idaho in a Super Cub and we tied through the ring and around the strut twice for good measure.

[Ron Greene]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Steve,

I have a NOS setfor Taylorcraft A-B. No idea what they are worth. Give me 20 which includes shipping and they are yours.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Thanks for the compliment Robert. Us rag and tube guys gotta stick together.

Is there a source for the clamp and ring? I can make such a thing but I would rather purchase if I could. I thought about making one like the rag wing Pipers but they are a pain to get on and off with the struts. Hank has a good point as well. Just got back from Idaho in a Super Cub and we tied through the ring and around the strut twice for good measure.

Steve, were you with a guy called Wilbur (William) from Rockford or Popular Grove during your trip up North? He is the one that had to fix his exhaust (I believe) in the field. Flew a white Super Cub, tundra tires, half-crazy, always trying to fly straight up! A great friend to have. Larry

[Steve Pierce]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Steve,

I have a NOS setfor Taylorcraft A-B. No idea what they are worth. Give me 20 which includes shipping and they are yours.

Ron, I'll take them. PM me an address and I'll get the money in the mail.

Thanks.

[Steve Pierce]

Re: Wing Tie Down Fittings

Steve, were you with a guy called Wilbur (William) from Rockford or Popular Grove during your trip up North? He is the one that had to fix his exhaust (I believe) in the field. Flew a white Super Cub, tundra tires, half-crazy, always trying to fly straight up! A great friend to have. Larry

Yep, Wilbur is a legend as far as Super Cub get togethers go. He can fly as good as he can tell a story. He was in his full glory at Johnson Creek in both. Here he is telling an early morning story. I was suprised he could make it up that early after the previous night.