How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

[cubby]

does any body know if the landing gear can be reversed on the 1992 F22A Taylorcraft,
i had a 1951 model 19 Taylorcraft in 1974 ,and put 800 hours on it ,and made the classic
mistake and sold it ,well i just bought this 1992 F22A, formerly N87HJ from a real nice man in
Michagan ,and thought what better place to ask this question then on a taylorcraft site

Paul.

[ajfriz]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

I don't have any idea, but I wanted to compliment you on what appears to be a 64.5 (at least the door handle and window crank look like 64.5) mustang. I just finished restoring my 64.5.


Oh yeah, nice plane!

[cubby]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

I don't have any idea, but I wanted to compliment you on what appears to be a 64.5 (at least the door handle and window crank look like 64.5) mustang. I just finished restoring my 64.5.


Oh yeah, nice plane!

Yes it is a 1964.5 Mustang convertable my Daughter gave to me when she was a nurse in Dallas Texas
in the 1990s and didn,t
want it any more,ive kept it licenced ,and insured,all these years, and try to find time to drive it
once a year, on the hyway,the only trouble, i ever had was the wide white wall nylon tire,s i had
a set of radio tires on it in Texas, and it rode like a new car, the manager a the tire store asked
what i wanted to do with the old tires as they were new, i told keep them, and he did, and every
body was happy,this is myself, in one of my cousins, 11 jets, he had 12, but sold one last year at
all places the Toronto car show, in Canada, I hope you really enjoy your mustang ,i found people
went out of there way, to look at it ,and ask all about the car,have a great day.

Paul.

[RobertP]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Cubby,

May I ask why you want to even consider changing it to a Tail dragger? I have owned a 1991 F22A for 4 years or so now and put a good deal of hours on her and in my view the Tri Gear is much easier to handle than the earlier tail draggers! I except however that on cosmetic looks the Tail Dragger cousins are the winners.

If you look through the threads I did raise the issue a while back if the the F22 and F22A landing gear and associated parts were inter changeable and Forrest replied with some interesting information which may assist you.

I would be interested to know how you get on if you do try to make the switch if in fact it is possible.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Because there are so few "nose draggers" out there I would hope if you modify the airframe you make SURE it can always be changed back. Even though I personally don't care for the F-22A either, it is a rare plane and you don't want to destroy a plane that a lot of folks think was a real improvement. If it can't be changed to a tail dragger without making it permanent, you should really consider trading it off to someone who really WANTS a nose wheel.
Hank

[ricky]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Hank,when I was chatting with harry,back in 1005,if forrest see this,you need to instal new landing gear as for tail dragger
confed, as landing might be to narrow for tail dragger confed,an instal,if not alread there the fitting for the tail wheel,but just swappying side,to side landing gear would be a problem,as for nose gear just remove the struts an leave the engine mount the way it is.,my ami has tri pacer,converted to tail dragger,he left the nose bracket intact,redesign the landing gear,as it was too narrow. Rick

[RobertP]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Hank,

Why do you dislike the F22A, have you flown one as the handling is excellent and it gives vintage looks but with modern handling qualities together with a full range of Nav gear and importantly for a high wing aircraft excellent all round visibility with the transparent roof panels.

I fully understand that many people will own the older Taylorcraft models for their genuine vintage nature and style but having read Flight Tests which were carried out by Pilot Magazine in 1991 in the UK When my F22A and her F22 tail dragger sister arrived there was really no comparison and the newer models out scored their older cousins in every Department and after all they were actually flown from the Factory to the UK which says a great deal about their durability and reliability ( not to say that the older models couldn't have completed a similar journey of course! )

Just interested in the reason for your respected views and not out to cause and old against new row!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

I guess it was a poor choice of words by me. If the choice was between the F-22A and any other nose wheel plane like a C-172 or 150 (a plane I truly DIS-like) the 22A would win hands down. Understand it is NOT about flying qualities, but to me, it just looks funny. Not ugly, just not "right". It is kind of like when your wife comes home with a totally new hair style. When you first see it, it isn't bad, just wrong! Every time I see an F22A it looks strange to me. Since I have had the tail of my 41 on a stand the whole time I have been working on her (essentially in a nose wheel stance) in the hangar, I might not have the same reaction now, but there are not a lot of 22As around here to see.

That's the main reason I recommended selling her and NOT converting her to a tail wheel. It is a rare model that some people like more than the tail wheel versions. If you don't like the nose wheel, buy a tail wheel plane rather than messing up what someone else will have a lot of problems finding.

When I married my wife, I chose the prettier of two sisters. When Debbie's brother in law married Debbie's sister, he thinks HE chose the pretty sister. He was WRONG, but who was I to tell him. Debbie got BETTER looking as she got older, I won't comment on her sister.

Hank

See, now I am back in good graces with the F22A guys AND my wife! By the way, after a few days I liked her hair the new way better.

I still don't plan to add a nose wheel to my Taylorcraft though. ;-)

[RobertP]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Hank,

I get your point! now I know what I have been doing wrong all my life going for the wrong sister!

[cubby]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Because there are so few "nose draggers" out there I would hope if you modify the airframe you make SURE it can always be changed back. Even though I personally don't care for the F-22A either, it is a rare plane and you don't want to destroy a plane that a lot of folks think was a real improvement. If it can't be changed to a tail dragger without making it permanent, you should really consider trading it off to someone who really WANTS a nose wheel.
Hank

MR Hank Jarrett,
i had a 1951 Taylorcraft model 19 CF-XSU in `1974, and put 800 hours on it,and as far as getting the right plane, i found a Taylorcraft
in Arazona that was exactly what i wanted ,i told the owner, it was exactly what i wanted, and if he flew it here or had a ferry pilot
bring it here id buy it, he arranged for a pilot, then changed his mind, for almost a year i waited, the i told him it wasn,t working out so,
i started looking again found this 1992 F22A Taylorcraft,told the owner the same thing you bring it here, and i,ll buy it,so he brought it
here to Canada, and i bought it.this plane has every thing i ever wanted,but it as one person said just don,t look right,i talked to MR Barber
in an e mail, and he said he would send me a picture,of both gears installed, on the same airframe, when he has time , my plane has the front,
fittings ,for the tail wheel gear set up already installed, i was so impressed, that MR Barber would do that that i joined his Taylorcraft club,i
sent him a bank drauft for the member fee, have a great day, and i find your input very interesting thank you

Paul Harrington.

[cubby]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Cubby,

May I ask why you want to even consider changing it to a Tail dragger? I have owned a 1991 F22A for 4 years or so now and put a good deal of hours on her and in my view the Tri Gear is much easier to handle than the earlier tail draggers! I except however that on cosmetic looks the Tail Dragger cousins are the winners.

If you look through the threads I did raise the issue a while back if the the F22 and F22A landing gear and associated parts were inter changeable and Forrest replied with some interesting information which may assist you.

I would be interested to know how you get on if you do try to make the switch if in fact it is possible.

Robert.,
i had a model 19 Taylorcraft, for a number of years ,i put 800 hrs on it ,and it lifted out of places you wouldn,t believe,
then i sold it ,bought a Cessna 172 ,then a Cessna 150F, then a PA 11 Piper cub 90hp, which i still have ,and a 54 Cessna 170B,
which i still have ,and then # 6 ,which is this 1992 Taylorcraft ,its the first Taylorcraft i ever flew with flaps,at 60 mph and full flaps
it feels between a c172 and 150 , i really wanted a taylorcraft in Arizona, but we couldn,t come to terms ,on delivery and payment,
after a year of that i gave up ,called a very nice man in Michigan,told him bring it to my airport and i,ll take you to the bank pay you
buy lunch, and drive you back to Michagain,so he delivered it, i paid him and drove him and his co pilot home,and don,t get me wrong
its a beautiful aircraft having been just rebuilt to new standards,he told me he spent between $30,and$35,000.00 and had all the
reciepts, having all the maint books, and logs from new ,helped with transport, bringing it into Canada,i love the plane ,but would like
to change it ,which now i now i can,the gear from the F22 tail dragger gear will fit,but the existing gear is not correct size wise ,and the
Eng mount has to be changed ,as the nose gear is built into the mounts,The only thing is to find the parts at a resonable price,and get
Transport Canadas Approval,i had a bit of a problem with Canadian Transport and had to bring the Aircraft,in as if it were x military because
they wouldn,t except it as certified aircraft in Canada,it is and was fully I.F.R. but may not be flown here as such ,because it was brought in
in ,the matter it was ,for a while i thought i might have to register it in Texas,,in my Daughters name and adress,but it finally worked out., and im sorry
for some reason i didnt notice until to day that you said you own one also.,what is your location.,and a appoligize for not paying attension
Paul

re Cubby

[RobertP]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Cubby,

I am based in West Wales ( UK ) My F22A is well and I am doing plenty of flying with it! I bought some of the spares from her F22 sister which flew with my aircraft from the States in 1991. This was after she was written off in a hedge a couple of years back! I have been trying to Broker a deal with a Forum member in Oregon for some of the parts but the cost of shipping puts the deal out of the window! My F22A is the only one of it's type in Europe and the same with the F22 so a bit of history involved!!

Kind Regards, Bob Preston.

[cubby]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Robert.,
it looks like you and myself are in the minority, of owning the F 22A Taylorcrafts, don,t get me wrong ,my plane like you had a real problem importing it into Canada ,as it was not a
certified Aircraft ,according to the inspectors,so after some time ,i was allowed to bring it in on a special Flight Permitt,it has every thing i ever wanted in a Taylorcraft ,all the toys
as to speak, but i owned a Model 19 years a go put 800 hours on it, and i guess i just got to love the tail wheel configuration on it., and my F22A looks odd to me,i guess i,ll get used to
it as ,id have to get an Engine Mount ,and the standard F22 tail dragger gear, I a customer come in and ask how much i wanted for it,i told him $84,000.00 and,i almost fell over ,
when he said he,d take it,but the previous owner put $30, and $35,000.00 ,plus his origional purchase price ,when he gave me the bills from the rebuild,i thought id probably never get
another one in this new condition,how ever, i was almost tempted ,after i flew it i was amased flaps ,disc brakes,moving map and every thing my previous Taylorcraft didn,t have ,
i saw your Taylorcraft ,in these forumns i really liked the look of it, with the tail wheel ,i guess Hank Jarrett might be correct,its got all the modern advantages,so i,ll sell it to my customer
in a couple years if he still wants it,and buy a tail dragger, any way have a great day cheers.

Paul.

re cubby
member 1103

[RobertP]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Cubby,

I have the landing gear and engine mount for a F22, if you are interested PM me.

Regards,

Bob Preston.

[cubby]

Re: How much trouble is it to tuirn a F22A back into a tail drager

Bob.,
i tried to send you a PM you, but i guess i must have done something wrong ,i e mailed the Forumn, for help,
so they will probably, tell me what i did incorrect ,i dont even rember how to post a picture anymore ,any
way, i added you as a friend, i think i had to do that,but i put down in my profile ,to let all member contact me
, so i,ll wait and see
.Paul.Harrington.

cubby