astronomer1

I want to have a STEERABLE TAIL WHEEL on the plane that I am building. The plane is an ACE Whizard kit that comes with a metal skid that I think will make taxiing less than easy. See attached picture for kit's setup.

It would be highly appreciated if anyone could give me any ideas, sketches, or pictures on how to implement a safe, lightweight and durable setup. All of the tailwheels that I see for sale are for larger planes, are too complex, and not easy to homebrew and scale down for a 20oz. 1/2A plane.

I also solicit any pro’s and con’s of a steerable tail wheel vs a fixed skid on this size of plane. Thanks in advance!

speedracerntrixie

My Feedback: (29)

Dubro makes a tailwheel set up for small electrics, should be just the ticket.

Max_Power

IMHO there is little if any benefit to a wheel or steering. I used to always look at the full scale WW1 planes with a skid and think "Wow, that must really drag the plane down".....but it doesn't really seem to work that way. I had a .40 size SE-5 that had a BALSA skid in the back and was really amazed at how little the wood wore down from flying off asphalt. I bet it would steer just fine with the wire skid and wouldn't be too concerned with it. Just blip the throttle to give the rudder a blast of air and it will turn. If you really want it check Du-Bro for a micro tailwheel meant for electrics....It would be the perfect size. Todd

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEsQ8wIwBQ

Jaspur_x

My Feedback: (1)

Astronomer1,how are yu my friend?
I always just bult a skid for my wizzards,have 1 hanging in front of me now. When I wanted better taxi steering, I just bend a loop (to act as spring action) in a piece of wire of choice,a through hole in a piece of light ply attatched to the rear bottom of the fuselage for the pivot point and pressure point position.
I bend the wire to follow up the rear of the rudderabout an inch from the bottom of the rudder.

This way there is virtually no strain added to the rudder or servo as the steering takes place.
This way,the steerable tail is pretty light compared to an added wheel,and you get at least 50% more steering action as with just a fuse skid style deal.

ckreef

Not sure how small your plane is but you might consider a tail wheel off a Parkzone UM-P51, UM-Sukhoi etc...  Very light weight and springy.

 

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

This is the best tail wheel design I've come across.
It was used on the Morris Hobbies SuDoKoi.
It has lots of forgiveness. The important thing is to give the music wire a good, solid anchor in the rudder. The wire is floppy enough to absorb shock.

Tee Bee

I agree with CP's pic except that the wire needs to pass thru the metal plate in line with the rudder hinge. My Herr Lil' Extra has a similar setup and I plan to do the same on my Minnie Mambo project.

Andrew

If the end of the wire is pinned into the rudder, Tee Bee adjustment's necessary to keep it from binding. I've done the same as CP, except where his is pinned into the rudder, I inserted a piece of scrap plywood with a hole in it. The tailwheel wire is straight and goes thru the hole in the ply - as the rudder swings, the wire can slide, so the rudder hinge point and tailwheel hinge point don't have to be in line.

buzzard bait

Are you flying off grass or pavement? If concrete, then I understand. But if it's grass, why use a tailwheel? If you really need to steer it, make a steerable skid. But really, if you make the wire about 2 inches long you'll get enough flex to steer it all around the field without any moving parts. I fly off grass and I only use a tailwheel when I'm building from a kit and I'm too lazy to bend my own wire, so I stick a wheel on it. Otherwise, I only use skids.

Jim

hkbii

Howdy Gents. This works nice. keith

hkbii

One more.

Digger-RCU

Hkbii, I love that design. I think I will have to build something just to try that..



Thanks

Digger

hkbii

HowdyGents. I have used this set up for a long time and I fly out of some nasty places and have never lost a rudder servo or ripped one out of the fuse.A good set of landing gear opens the door to a world of fun.Keith

Bipe Flyer

Here's what I often use. The hub is a pulley out of a audio casette held on with a bit of heat shrink on the axle and the tire is a rubber grommet from Radio Shack.

buzzard bait

So are you flying off pavement? A tail wheel serves no purpose on grass.

fritzke

My Feedback: (1)

Perfect makes nice teeny tiny wheels in 1/2" & 3/4"

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...SM&C=QDA&V=PEF

Dave

aspeed

I don't think it is even needed.  I never taxi the little guys anyway.  Yes, maybe on pavement.  I found a couple of arms with wheels from a fairly big microswitch that would work good, but the supply is gone.  They were kind of springy with a little wheel about 5/8" dia. Maybe .015" thick steel (maybe stainless?) bracket with a rivet holding the wheel.