Tailwheel Options

[blakecarl]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Thanks for all the great feedback!

There is a brass plate on the bracket of our tailwheel that reads "Manufactured by Scott for Aeronca, Model 300?". The last digit of the model number is illegible but based on feedback, it's probably a "0". It does appear that our tailwheel assembly is a combination of models.

Now at least I have something to go on--namely model numbers--when searching for a new wheel to go on the fork that we have. I'm off to search and will update on what I'm able to find.

If anyone has a tailwheel assembly similar to ours that they would be willing to part with and/or a tire and hub let me know.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Tailwheel Options

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.

McMaster's Aviation section has a wide variety of shackles. Think SS would be best?

http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/115/1406

Josh

PS. On second thought-- I reread your post and see you said "deep shackle." Not sure how deep it'd have to be. Thoughts?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tailwheel Options

There is a leaf spring and a tailwheel assembly on eBay right now. Search under "Taylorcraft". When I last looked the spring was about $25 or $30 and the tail wheel was $100.
The shackles look good. I would use the SS ones (since strength is WAY over what we would need for all of them anyway). I will measure the throat depth requirement this weekend and get some pictures of what the set-up should look like.
Everyone PLEASE SCREAM if I have something hooked up wrong!
Hank

[Robert Lees]

Re: Tailwheel Options

If anyone has a tailwheel assembly similar to ours that they would be willing to part with and/or a tire and hub let me know.

I have a hub if that's any use...$50 firm. If you need it, I can mail it when I get to the States next week.

Rob

[dmcneil]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Just a little more on the early Scott steerable non-swivel tailwheels...

The cast aluminum hubs on the double arm fork steerable non-swivel tailwheel (3000) was the same as the later 3-24B full swivel tailwheels. However, the bearings are different. Rob's photo shows the later 3-24B tapered roller bearings. The earlier double arm fork tailwheels used a flanged ball bearing like those in the attached photo.

The flanged bearings have an overall o.d. (at the flange) of 1 1/2"; the outer bearing face has an o.d. of 1 3/8"; the i.d. of the bearing (axle diameter) is 7/16". These bearings are a pain in the wazoo to find. I finally found a couple of NOS bearings for my tailwheel. Does anyone know of a source for precision flanged bearings this size?

Dan

[N74DV]

Re: Tailwheel Options

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

We have the same on ours. They are AN43 eyebolts. The ones installed on the plane in the photo in this thread appear to have WAY too many washers on the underside which further adds to the leverage arm.

On our plane we have the proper size AN43 eyebolts and there is no issue. Think about it.... with a proper size AN43 you are only adding about 3/16" more arm to an already rather long arm anyway. I see no way it would make much of a difference in torque. I would understand if perhaps the steering arm was straight piece of sheet steel and had the tail springs mounted in line but with the Tcraft the heavy cast steering arm drops down quite a bit which tells me it was designed for some torque load on the ends.

[flyguy]

Re: Tailwheel Options

That was really funny: Mcmaster Aviation. I actually thought to myself, "I don't ever remember macmaster having an aviation section." Big Chuckle. Then of course I remembered how many times I have referred to Tractor suppply aviation or whatever other one it happened to be.
Funny to have your head turned around like that when your brain isn't quite working in the present.
Darryl

[lfries]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Ace hardware Aviation along iwth OSH Aviation have the correct hard rubber wheel for the Scott 2000/3000. For some reason they use a non aviation hub which is easily removed.

[bashibazouk]

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

$26.50 for the complete assembly. Oh my! Old would be the operative word, I guess? Of course, I bet you could probably buy a new Chrysler for $2000 and a cup of coffee for a nickel, too. And $10 a day was a decent wage. Damn, I was born too late.

Josh

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Tailwheel Options

Finally got to the airport this weekend for some photos. On the first picture you can see how the middle leaf spring doesn't go all the way to the front bolt. I am pretty sure the tail had a square piece of steel between the springs at the front originally, but it was long gone when I got the plane and replaced by steel washers. I can see where the slotted forward spring should work but have never seen one before.
Both pictures should show the mousing (safety wire twisted around the spring ends) to keep it from walking off the steering arms.
Hank

And yes, I know the drain hole isn't opened up yet.

[jim cooper]

Re: Tailwheel Options

in the 80's I had a Stearman. I called dusters and sprayers looking for a tube and tire for the tail wheel. They were out of stock (goodyear-big bucks) The fellow then said "go to Snapper lawnmower dealer and get front tire and tube for Snapper that looks like a go cart. I did this and flew it till I sold it. It worked just fine. A solid tail wheel tire is stone age stuff. Hard on the airplane and just plain lousy. JC

[af1zaf1z]

Re: Tailwheel Options

All that discussion and nobody asked about that tie down knot!! That truly is a piece of work. What do you call it? Can it be replicated? In the dark, left handed? How long does it take to untie it? Inquiring minds want to know!!

[blakecarl]

Re: Tailwheel Options

I was able to purchase a Scott 3000 tailwheel at the Oshkosh Aeromart. It looks similar to the one in the photo attached to Dick Smith's first post to this discussion. It included a rubber tire which is usable for the time being but we will be ordering a new one soon. Once this is on we should be in very good shape as far as the tailwheel goes.

[lfries]

Re: Tailwheel Options

The tiire can be found at Orchard Aircraft Supply and ACE Aircraft Supply. The cost should be around $15.00. For some reason they come on a hub. They are very easy to remove from the hub.