Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

[M Towsley]

Re: Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

The Heath tailwheel marked 'Taylor Craft' went for $59.00 on Ebay last night.

Forrest, if you come back to read this thread, I have had a couple e-mails into you since last week that have been unanswered. Thanks!

[3Dreaming]

Re: Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

I agree with Forrest. Get rid of the non standard hardware. If I remember right I got my springs from Taylorcraft back around 1990. The springs are longer with no chain links. You can see pictures of my set up in the October 1994 issue of Vintage Airplane. It's not a good close up, but you can see it. Tom

[M Towsley]

Re: Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

Tom,

Due to both of my parents actually flying that plane you restored, it is in their logbooks that I have right here, I was able to talk EAA out of an original copy of that magazine. I just ran across the magazine the other night so if anyone wants me to scan the picture, let me know.

[Forrest Barber]

Re: Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

I think this is correct thread ; I found pic of mousing and the clips , this is a typical Taylorcraft , the springs are shorter than other ships; I have been known to buy one and then cut it in half with a sharp chisel, bend out ears and use both. The reason for clips & chains is to prevent the spring from jamming up in a colum situation. This way it hangs down out of the way when relaxed.
These springs are backwards , I usually hook spring to rudder arm , then chains or clips. these springs should be shorter ( they could have been cut in half and you have two sets.) and then chains used.
The pic was to show "mousing" . I have been down with power failure & internet failure, back in full steam on Tuesday. Got to go move LAST of snow from last batch.

[1938BF50]

Re: Steerable tailwheel vs. Full swivel?

Thanx all for the suggestions! I have several Heath and a couple Taylorcraft(made by Heath) tailwheel yokes. I will restore the best Taylorcraft yoke when I do the fuselage in a couple years. There must have been a lot of variations of this tailwheel as I think that each one that I have is different in some respect....bearing bore, axle dia, yoke width, etc.