After a few years break, getting back into the hobby. Been building a Top Flite Nobler on and off for a few months and she's finally complete.

Currently turning an 11x6 but theres just SO little ground clearance, its scary.. broke 2 props on the takeoff roll at the weekend - hitting the same bump! :stupid:

I tried going down an inch dia (half inch really wouldn't cut it) but I just can't slow it down then.. keeps on floating by!!

Thinking about larger rubber up front but I'm a bit worried about stalling it 3' off the ground.. Increasing the size of the tailwheel to match would be an option I guess, but would require moderate amounts of surgery.

Any ideas/views/comments?

On the plus side, once it's in the air everything is great!!

I had the same problem with my Nobler. Our field is grass and it can get a little rough. It was almost impossible to taxi without nosing over a little and breaking the prop. I tried a 10 1/2 inch prop and still had problems. I ended up getting a "mighty bender" and some piano wire, and made some new gear wires that are slightly longer and bent a little forward. This setup works great. I'm still flying with the original 11x5 APC prop that I mounted three months ago!

Did you do anything to the tailwheel arrangement?

I've been tending to raise the flaps and hold some up elevator when taxiing, it seems to help.

Might bend me some new landing gear wires and see.. thanks!

I didn't make any changes to the tailwheel arrangement. The new gear wires are just a little longer. At least half of the extra length is used to bring the wheels forward so that the "axles" are now just ahead of the leading edge of the wing. The plane looks fine with the new wires and ground handling is just as good as the rest of my planes.

I installed foam wheels at the same time to help absorb shock as it rolls over grass clumps. I am not sure that the foam wheels were really necessary but since the new setup works great I haven't messed with it.

Take-offs and landings are pretty interesting with my Nobler. Even with the 46FX it takes a good bit of runway to take off and it lifts off the ground very gently. And the plane comes in pretty hot even with full flaps. It just doesn't want to slow down! Getting the landing gear arrangement right has made it a much more enjoyable plane to fly.

I have some pics in my gallery but all of them were before the changes to the gear wire. If you are interested I will post a shot of the new landing gear when I have a chance.

By the way- since this is in the "beginners" forum - for all you beginners out there, this is not a beginners plane! Its a tricky kit to build, highly acrobatic and very fast! But for those that have already mastered their first low-wing, have building experience, and want a small plane that flies "big", I think that this is a good choice.