Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Hi,

If you have converted a Great Planes Big Stick ARF to a taildragger can you please post details of your tail wheel setup.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

How about some pics,

Bob

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I converted a 60 size one after it was built as a nose wheel plane

I mounted a Dubro 60 size tail wheel bracket on a piece of 1/4" maple ply with the pivot center line the same as the rudder hinge line.
I made a new wire then ran through the elevator to the rudder and was epoxied into the rudder.

I turned the rudder all the way to one side and drilled the hole

I was able to bend the wire 90 degrees after I stuck it up through the elevator and insert it into the rudder with the rudder unhooked from the servo and turned to the side. It has worked without trouble for several years.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Thanks w8ye,

That's a very clear and precise description.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Ok,

Mrs Clause has approved the purchase of a Big Stick 40 which should be delivered tomorrow.

I'm now thinking hard about where to mount the main gear as i will obviously have to reinforce the fuse with some ply and tri-stock.

As best i can tell by looking at the pics in the manual, there is a former which is level with the leading edge of the wing.

The gear will have to go either just in front of, or just behind that former.

Which would be better? The axels about 1" in front of the leading edge, or about 1" behind the leading edge (which is about 3.5" or 2.5" in front of the CofG respectively)

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I've done this conversion on my Big Stik 60. You'll need to use a piece of ply and create a landing gear block to epoxy inside the fuse and yes, you need to reinforce it with triangle stock. I also used blind nuts so that I could retain use of the stock screws used to hold the gear in place. I placed gear block just behind the former so that the gear is basically aligned with the leading edge of the wing.

I went with the approach to link the tail wheel to the rudder. If you haven't already glued the rudder and stab in place, this will be much easier.

Having done it, I would say while it looks cool, it wasn't worth the effort. Plus the ground handling isn't anywhere near as stable as the nose wheel setup. If you do go this route, I'd recommend the approach to use an additional servo for the tail wheel as shown above by Diglivin and Y connect it to your rudder servo. This way you don't need to butcher your rudder and stab with the tailwire.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I put my doubler block for the main gear just behind that former

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I split the difference, half in front and behind the former.
The axels are slightly ahead of the LE.

Bob

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Duh, I guess a pic would help,


Bob

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I had them on both sides and in the middle. All the planes flew fine.

It is easy to get to when it is behind. But all are possible.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I started the build last night and began with the mods to the main gear mount.

I glued a 1/8 ply sheet to the floor behind F2 and reinforced it with tri-stock. Do you think i'll need any more reinforcement where F2 meets the side fuse doublers?

I'm about to start on joining the wings and glueing the tail pieces on before i tackle the tail wheel. I've bought a Dubro .40 sized tail wheel and it looks like there is enough length in the wire to make it work using w8ye's method.


Next question:
Is the small Ventral fin on the underside of the horizontal stab an aerodynamic requirement for the model to fly well? Obviously the tail wheel will be in the way of it's proper position but i could mount it forward of the tail wheel approx 1.5", however there would only be about 1/2" ground clearance which is not desirable.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

By theory, with the addition of the Dubro tail wheel assembly there is no need for the extra fin

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Not having one of these planes myself, I don't know how hard it would be to get inside it.
Would it be possible to criss-cross a second control rod off of the rudder servo to the tail wheel?

Tim

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I've removed the fin from the underside as you did with my tail dragger conversion. It flies fine.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

My conversion is complete.

I used a small piece of 1/8" ply to spread the load and give the screws something more substantial to bite into. The wire supplied with the Dubro tail wheel turned out to be too short so i bent a new piece of wire and added some trailing castor as well.

Also note that the wire that is inserted into the rudder is bracketed and clamped by the control horn which will help to ensure that the wire doesn't tear through the balsa rudder.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

You did a good job on your tail wheel

That was a nice explanation also.

I'm sure you will get many hours of enjoyment from this model

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I've already started by pushing it around the yard making vroom vroom noises.... to test the steering of course ;)

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

It would be rough doing that around here with 12" snow and the temperature -15C

My planes are stored away right now.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I got my 60 size set up with a tail wheel but no control rod to it yet. I have lightweight 5" main wheels and I'm moving the battery back as far as possible. Also has an OS 90 on it. I'll try to get pic of tailwheel bracket with 1.5" tailwheel posted soon.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Looks good, but i would suggest re-inforcing with triangle balsa like i have done with mine.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

Here is pic of tailwheel temporary setup without control rod and maybe small plywood piece added for support, I might do a separate servo to.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

BTW, mine is complete and was maidened a couple of weeks ago.

It flies great and is my new favourite plane. Ground handling is fine but the rudder needs to be on high rate for effective steering.

Mine came out nose heavy with the OS FS .72a up front. The battery is behind the servos and I needed 2oz of lead in the tail to balance as per than manual. I think it will balance with almost no extra weight without the spinner so i'm looking for a lighter spinner option.

The .72 4-stroke is a great match for the plane. With a 12x7 prop it really moves along and is a blast to fly. My engine is mounted upright with the exhaust directed over the top of the wing. There is very little oil slime on the plane after flying.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

At that location, if you want controlled steering on the tail wheel, I'm guessing you will likely need to add another servo.

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

CustomPC did it the easiest and simplest way

RE: Tailwheel setup when converting GP Big Stick to Tail Dragger
 

I don't mind the extra servo for the tailwheel because I need the extra weight back there anyways to help balance the plane out.