Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

[Tailwind]

Does anyone know if there is a problem putting pre-war (3 hinge) elevators and stabilizers on my 46 BC-12? I think that the only difference is the length of the wires and the inboard bolt holes will have to be re-drilled. Is there any other issues that I may be overlooking? Does anyone know if there are any legallity issues? Kevin

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

First question is why? Second is you can't put prewar stabs and elevators on for the following reasons:

1. bolt attach points in wrong location
2. Flying wire attach points in different locations
3. Because of #2, wires won;t work unless you change the vertical and rudder
4. Prewar elevators don't have trim tab unless you find rare Deluxe elevator
5. paperwork

Is there a pro to these cons........no.

Mike

[astjp2]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

There is 1 pro, a bigger rudder and for seaplane operations, some like it. Tim

[Tailwind]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

Well in this case, the pros do out weigh the cons because my tailfeathers are rotten with rust. I've found a set of 3 hinge elevators and stabilizers in good shape for $800 for the whole shebang. The elevator does have a tab, maybe it's off of an L2? Anyway, custom length wires shouldn't be too big of an issue. Thanks for your opinion, Kevin

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

There is 1 pro, a bigger rudder and for seaplane operations, some like it. Tim

I have flown both tails and noticed little or no difference.

Mike

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

Well in this case, the pros do out weigh the cons because my tailfeathers are rotten with rust. I've found a set of 3 hinge elevators and stabilizers in good shape for $800 for the whole shebang. The elevator does have a tab, maybe it's off of an L2? Anyway, custom length wires shouldn't be too big of an issue. Thanks for your opinion, Kevin

L-2 have 2 hinge tail feathers and the trim is cable operated, no jack screw. There is so many small differences between the two types. Good luck on getting them approved.

Mike

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

I would look for someone who actually NEEDS pre-war, 3 hinge parts for those and see if anyone on the list has the right parts for your plane. Modifying those to fit will end up causing you problems when an IA or A&P who knows what he is looking at sees it (might never happen, but if it did....LOOK OUT!). It is just going to be a paperwork nightmare to end up with a plane that is out of conformity. There HAS to be some 2 hinge tail surfaces on the group. I know there are some at SFQ in a hangar a couple rows down from me (don't know how many hinges or condition) and Forrest ALWAYS seems to have some goodies like that in the barn.
With all the recent FAA problems with struts why tempt fate with a mixed bag plane when the Feds come looking.
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

Well I dont think the FAA has enough manpower to do a ramp check, has anyone even seen the faa just looking around? Tim

[flybikefarm]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

I have a two hinge set for sale. e-mail me. [email protected] George

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

My 41 got checked on the ramp at SFQ in south east Virginia. Guy walked up and asked if he could look at my plane and I said "Sure! Let's go!", at which point he said, "You DO know I'm from the FAA don't you". I said yes, but I like showing my plane off to anybody interested and headed for the door.
He seemed more interested in getting a chance to look at an old "real" airplane than actually looking for problems and I treated the whole thing as a chance to show one of the regulators that we didn't feel like we should be afraid of them. If I wasn't a student pilot I would have loved to give him a demo flight, but I didn't want to go quite THAT far at my experience level, plus, I don't think a student can fly an FAA rep who isn't checked out in the plane. If I ever see him again I wouldn't hesitate to offer him a flight.
Nice guy, as have been all of the FAA types I have ever dealt with face to face.
Hank

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Pre War Tail Feather Conversion

I have two hinge stuff here in Alliance . If you go to three hinge do it all, rudder, fin, etc.... The tandem or L-2 were ALL two hinge. e-mail me direct.