Tailwheel Options

[blakecarl]

A friend and I recently purchased a 1941 BC12-65. We have both fallen in love with the plane and the more we fly it the more we love it! The tailwheel needs some attention. Photos follow. First, what model number is this tailwheel? My guess is that it's a Scott Model 3000.

Second, is there a 337 that provides for the use of a Scott 3200 tailwheel? It was noted in another thread that the Foundation has 337's on file but I have not been able to locate them.

Last, and most urgent, we need to locate a replacement tire. What tires can be used and where can they be purchased? The present is hard rubber but we have discussed potential advantages of using a pneumatic.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tailwheel Options

WOW! Several problems. First that tire axle is SHOT. How do you make it turn the same in both directions (or does the tire flop on the axle?) Second, the leaf springs are the WRONG PARTS! The middle one is NOT supposed to go all the way to the front! When the tail bounces there will be a shearing load imparted through the leaves that will cut the bolt off and the tail will drop on the ground (loose tire won't matter much at that point). Next, where did those little fittings between the steering bar and the springs come from? They will put a twisting load on the steering bar and don't belong there. The bar is pretty strong and probably should be able to take the load, but it is a non-standard configuration and I would bet if the insurance company saw the set up after a ground lop (which will happen when the tail leaf springs cut the bolt) they would probably say your plane was not in conformance and deny coverage.
Lastly, there is no mousing on the springs and the clip is spread out from the tension load. If one spring side lets go, it is time once again for a 360* view of the runway area.
This tail wheel assembly needs a GOOD going over BEFORE you fly again!
Hank

PM me if you want a list of the right parts and some pictures of how it should be set up. I wouldn't even taxi with it the way it is now!

By the way, it IS nice to see someone with the lock nuts on the tail wires.

[blakecarl]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Never mind the comment about not finding the 337's. I did find them on the main site.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Tailwheel Options

I think you MAY have an old Heath tailwheel. I'm not sure. The width of the arm in your picture may be narrower than that of the Heath. Try comparing the shape and size of the arms on your tailwheel with the picture of the Heath shown here (see the pix of the single tailwheel shown in a sideview). Are there any markings or a data plate on your tailwheel?
Here are some pix of various tailwheels:
The Scott 2000 (formerly Scott 3-24B) has a single arm[SOMEONE IN THE TRIBE CORRECT ME IF THIS IS INCORRECT]) ...the Scott 3000(shown below w/o a tire) has 2 arms...your pictures show 2 arms, like the Heath. I show a pix of the Maule(pneumatic) just for size comparison. The last Aircraft Spruce catalog I looked at had a new Heath for less than 150 bucks.
Dick

[Robert Lees]

Re: Tailwheel Options

...the leaf springs are the WRONG PARTS! The middle one is NOT supposed to go all the way to the front! ..

It's possible that the centre spring has a slotted hole at one end. One of my Taylorcraft is like that (1945 model).

Rob

[Dick Smith]

Re: Tailspring slot

This pix may be helpful. Dick

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Cool, I couldn't find my picture and won't be able to get to the airport till Saturday at the earliest for more.
First time I have seen a slotted middle spring. Kind of interesting configuration. If you use the spacer I have seen several that were basically just washers to keep the top and bottom springs parallel. I have seen some that just clamped the top and bottom and squeezed them together with NO spacer. That is a REALLY BAD IDEA!
Also interesting to see that some steering arms had those little clips. Anyone know if they are standard for some tail wheels? They make me nervous too (but I'm a nervous type).
Hank

[Ray36048]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Many years ago we added the same clevis bolts to the rudder bar on our glider club Citabria. The spring attach clips were cutting through the softer material of the rudder bar. The clevis bolts were easier and less costly to replace than the rudder bar.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Problem is if you run the spring or chain connectors through the steering arms you wear the hole in the arm. Not good. If you use a clevis bolt you preserve the arm hole but apply a torque to the arm it wasn't designed for. Also not good.
I looked high and low for a shackle with a pin that would fit the holes in the steering arms but couldn't find one. A shackle would keep the load in line with the arm and the pin would stop the hole wear. Anyone know where to get a deep shackle with a 1/4" pin?
Hank

Have to deal with the "out of configuration" issue with the Feds, but I would bet they would buy it.

[lfries]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think the Scott 2000 and 3000 are the same ust different vintage. The 3200 has the two arms.

[high time cub]

Re: Tailwheel Options

L Fries,

Yes, I believe you are correct that the 2000 and 3000 are the same.

Dick,

Regarding the photo w/o tire......I'm guessing that you have a model 3000 "cap" on an early double fork, which is from a Scott model 3-21.

HT

[Dick Smith]

Re: Correct info

Lloyd and HT: Thanks for the correction and better info! I appreciate the help.
I like to be helpful, but don't want to propagate bad info. One of the Tribe's strengths lies in helpful challenges and willingness to wrestle with inconsistencies. Thanks, Dick

[high time cub]

Re: Tailwheel Options

More Scott minutia..... The one on the left is an original 3-21, note the 3 grease fittings. Top one, rare side position.... hollow axle for the left wheel bearing and wheel mounted one for the right. The tire is marked "military" and the fork has a small round (Scott Aviation) inspector's stamp, "SA11".

The second T/W is a model 3000, the tag says "Made for Aeronca" ..... probably mid-late 1940's. Looks like the current model 2000.

Third one has a very wide double fork. There's another inspector's stamp, "SA13" on the wheel.

On the hollow axle hex head, on both T/W #1 and #3, you can read A-4037 and R.S.P.

Anyone know what model Scott the third T/W is?

HT

[dmcneil]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Hi Blakecarl,

Here's a link to an old Scott catalog listing the various tailwheels and parts:

http://www.popav.com/docs/AirAssociatesCatalog.pdf

What you have appears to be a combination of parts. The bracket (the part that bolts to the tailwheel spring) looks like a Scott. The yoke also looks like a Scott. There were many different combinations of bracket and yoke to fit all the various aircraft of the time. All the Scott brackets I've seen are stamped with the model number on a small brass data plate.

The tailwheel itself doesn't look correct. It looks like an industrial caster that someone adapted. The tailwheel should have a hub and a separate 6 x 2.00 solid rubber tire. The hubs were originally two piece stamped steel and later two piece cast aluminum. The hard rubber tires are available from Wicks and Aircraft Spruce among others. The cast aluminum hubs should also be available.

Scott changed the model designations over the years several times. The steerable full swivel 3-24B became the Scott 2000. The various S/T steerable (non-swivel) tailwheels became the Scott 3000 series.

Dan

[jim cooper]

Re: Tailwheel Options

The taylorcraft I have came with a scott 3200. Compared to maule tailwheel on my Champ....there is no comparison. The Scott is Smoooooth, turns on a dime....nice!JC