Big tires, lots of 'em!

[Dick Smith]

Tribe, If I can figure out a way to put tundra tires on this setup, then we can really go places!!

[mhorowit]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

Well, after giggling a bit.... wont that setup make going in a straight line easier, but turning harder? - Mike

[crispy critter]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

May I ask why one needs such a set up?? what is it for?

[dedrekon]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

They're for landing on rough terrain...rocks and what-not. They've been around for 30-40 years and are supposed to work quite well. There was a Super Cub in these parts a few years back sporting them. I saw some pics of it landing on hellacious looking stuff. Look pretty heavy to me.

[flylo]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

I have an article in a 1950 flying magazine about these as an option on Supercubs.At that time they had sold about a dozen sets I think maybe to USFS or Fish & Game.They aired the front ones to 4 psi & the rear to 8.

[N96337]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

You figure out how to put 35" tundra tires on that and you wont need floats!! Those are great!!! I've seen pics, but never seen them in person. I've even seen pics of the C119's with a set of "tracks" like that for soft field operations.
JH

[Dick Smith]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

This is a pretty far-out idea...that's why I put it in the "Humor..." section!!
But that's just my opinion! I like to see and know about what people have thought of and tried. This idea obviously didn't catch on at every airport(or anywhere that I'm aware of), but may have filled an application that we don't know about. Several of you instantly perceived the complications introduced by weight, geometry and complexity...others connected it with similar attempts to solve a problem. Many minds at work, instantly! The power of the Internet! In any case it's great to be part of the aviation fellowship in general and the Taylorcraft Tribe in particular! Dick

[jgerard]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

They are called "whiticker gear" A friend of mine used to have 2 or 3 sets of them untill his devorce

Not sure what is worse, them or x-wind gear? Suposed to have the brake on the rear wheel and when rolling over large bumbs with little or no weight on the rear wheel the braking action was rummored to be quite pore. Sure would turn a lot of head at the next flyin!

[N96337]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

I always thought it would be a blast to show up at a flyin that you knew the FAA was going to be at, with those and an Everell one bladed prop!! I bet the young inspectors would almost kill themselves trying to get to you first! hahaha
JH

[mhorowit]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

Everell one bladed propJH

GOOGLE doesn't provide much on this prop. Can anyone provide some insight? - MIke

[Dusty]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

I believe those are the reason Alaska Bushwheel has no problem selling tires for $3500. Like many here, I've never actually seen a pair in action, but I've heard they worked pretty well in helping to keep the greasy side down in the rough stuff.

Don't forget a set of the short lower wings (the name eludes me) that you used to see on the occasional Cub for your FAA-attractor, 337.

[dedrekon]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

I have seen them flying and landing and taking off on that Super Cub....looks bizarre, but they seemed to work just fine. Of course, that was on grass, NOT rocks or maybe worse, pavement. I believe they were STC'd for the Cub

[NC36061]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

GOOGLE doesn't provide much on this prop. Can anyone provide some insight? - MIke

From what I remember, the idea behind the Everell was that more performance could be had as the single blade would always be biting into "fresh" air, as opposed to "spoiled" air disturbed by the preceeding blade on a two blade prop as it turned. The stubby non-blade was an adjustable counter-weight. It could be manipulated to obtain maximum smoothness. I want to say I remember it being adjustable in flight, but looking at it, that seems improbable, most likely ground adjustable. Anyone else?

Dave

[Dick Smith]

Re: Everel prop

This link might be of interest, as regards wooden props, etc.

http://www.notplanejane.com/aeromatic.htm

Dick

[Dick Smith]

Re: Big tires, lots of 'em!

Here is a bit on the inventor of the Whittaker gear...he evidently was associated with the the Cub line during the days of C.G. Taylor's E-2.
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Beechcraft D-17S Traveler

Art Whitaker and the Whitaker Tandem Landing Gear

As World War II ended and the predicted boom in civilian aviation got underway, Art Whitaker of Portland, Ore., was in the enviable position of being an established presence in the airplane business in an area where the utility of light aircraft offered almost limitless possibilities. Whitaker was a Piper distributor of long standing, having been associated with the Cub line since the days of C.G. Taylor’s E-2. His dealer network encompassed Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and western Montana. The lumber, ranching, farming and mining activities in the Northwest could all turn the airplane into a useful, even indispensable tool. It would take salesmanship - and Art Whitaker was a promoter and a master salesman! In the waning days of the great depression he had sold around a hundred Cubs a year using novel promotional ideas to make the public “airplane conscious.” He once had a Cub hanging from the ceiling of the sixth floor of a prominent Portland department store. Movie houses showing a movie about flying welcomed the chance to have one of Whitaker’s new Cubs parked out front or even perched on top of the marquee. Auto shows were a great opportunity to put a Cub on display alongside the newest cars. On occasion, a Cub riding on a trailer would show up in a street parade. Art himself admitted to having a vivid imagination when it came to advertising airplanes.
By 1948 the Piper line had expanded to include the PA-11 Cub Special, the PA-12 Super Cruiser, and the PA-14 Family Cruiser. The first of the “short wing” Pipers, the PA-15 Vagabond and the PA-16 Clipper followed. . . . . . . .