Hi

I got [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBGB0&P=0]This[/link] plane which is a tail dragger. But it comes without a tail wheel. Just a small whire which you have to attach to the rear, so that the tail doesn't hit the ground.

I'm thinking of changing that to a tail wheel, however the people at my club think I should also attach the tail wheel to my rudder, so that I can control my plane better on the ground. But this is very hard to do with this kind of plane. (I would have to drill a hole thrue the elevator, which I don't think is a good idea)

So I wanted to know if it is really necessairy to have control over the tail wheel or not. I've seen many planes on the internet who manage just great without it, but I wanted to check just in case.


thx,
Prophex

A tail wheel will help with the ground handling. If you do not plan on taxing very much it is not really needed. Having just a skid can make take off a bit tricky. You need to be able to steer as the plane gathers speed and the rudder becomes effective. If you bring up power slowly to compensate for the engine torque there is going to be a period of time when the rudder does not function. I would put a wheel on it myself. Good Luck, Dave

Unless you fly off pavement, stick with the tailskid. That plane will take off and taxi easily with rudder control. If you have a tailwheel, it must be steerable or your plane will be all over the place. If you really want a tailwheel, think about runing a separate linkage to it. Some 3/16" dowel with wire ends should work (if you have the clearance), since you can't get into the fuselage to install braces for anything else.

Dr.1

There are several methods of attaching a tail wheel back there so that it follows the rudder. If you intend to steer it at low speeds, that is below that which the rudder has control, then steerable tail wheel is necessary. Otherwise, a fast throttle up to get the rudder in the air-stream and functinonal will be necessary. It will tend to vane into the wind rather quickly without a tail wheel for the first few feet, then as soon as the tail raises off of the ground, it will vane into the wind. It is a great way to learn or practice use of the rudder, that's for sure.

One of the problems I have seen is with a tail wheel assembly that uses a rod that goes into the rudder. A landing that is a tad bit hard, or even flying on grass that is not even, could cause that tail wheel linkage to tear out of the soft balsa in the rudder.

One suggestion above is to have separate linkage for steering the tail wheel, but the linkage is attached to the steering linkage on the rudder. That is probably the way I am going to go with the fix to my Venus 40, which tore out the linkage and tore up the rudder in the process. I have to repair the rudder as well as fix the tail wheel assembly. Pain in the butt but a true learning experience for me.

DS.

I have to agree with Dr1 on this. Tail wheels are not always necessary. If flying from grass you can do fine without. Skids are more difficult from pavement, however. Build your next model with a steerible tail wheel and go out and fly what you've got, now.

I've had several planes with a tail skid or fixed tail wheel. I only fly off grass. They are a bit harder to taxi, but takeoff and landing seems about the same as the ones with a steerable tail wheel.

FYI, my 1/4 Fokker Dr.1 steers and taxis nicely with a fixed tailskid. It just takes a blip on the throttle and rudder input to move the tail around. If it's a little stubborn, like in a crosswind or on a rough field, a little down elevator to get the tail up helps.

Dr.1

Tailskid hooked up to the rudder is even better in the grass, It thinks it has a tailwheel.

I have a magic, and you do not need a tailwheel. Just give it some throttle, a LITTLE down elevator, and then make some rudder movements. With a LITTLE down elevator, your tail section will just spin around the aircraft.

If you must taxi it a long way, in grass, just pick it up and move it along.

I only ever fly off grass, and I recently retro-fitted a steerable tailwheel to my Extreme.

Maybe length of grass makes a difference?? But I hated the tail skid so much I never flew the plane after the first couple of flights for about 3 years until I fitted the tail wheel.

It IS possible to operate the model with a skid on grass, but I hate doing it. I like my models to look as graceful on the ground as they do in the air.

The Exteme with a tail skid was so clumsy bouncing about and ripping up grass that I just pulled the servos and receiver out and threw it in the shed.

I have flown many with just skids. Depending on the rudder, they fly just fine. I don't even use a rudder on my floats any more.

For me the a tailwheel is only to rudder not hit the ground. Tailwheel only works at low speed, at medium/high speed rudder will do the job.

Oh... an heavy tailwheel is also nice for nose heavy planes