Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Hello,

I'm trying to convert a LT 40 to a taildragger. Can anyone suggest what kind of push-pull assembly I can use? Also, are push pulls just modifications of regular rear landing gear or can you buy the assembly ready to go? From the few I've seen they appear to just have some sort of steering arm attached.

Thanks

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Oltos


Sullivan makes a easy to install tailwheel assembly no need for a push-pull set up you need the one for .40 sized planes in the 4-6lb range. you simply attach the included wire to the rudder and the wheel moves. Also don't forget to move your main gear closer to the nose of the plane. As a guess I'd say slightly infornt of the LE of the wing

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

You may be interested in this thread

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Tail...1249933/tm.htm

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Crash'em the Kadet rudder is on top of the horizontal stab. It's difficult to get a linkage to a standard tail wheel.

I purchased a converted LT40 and the previous owner used a scale tail wheel and put a tiller bar ( in essence a straight bell crank) at the back end of the servo compartment. He linked pull pulls from the tail wheel to the tiller and then a pushrod from the rudder servo to the tiller when the rudder moved the tail wheel moved.

Beef up the area under the forward bulk head and install you main gear there. Use a stamped aluminum sheet type and four screws works well.

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

MajorTomski,

Thanks for the info Didn't realize the rudder didn't extend to the bottom of the fuse. A friend of mine connected his to a plane with that type of Rudder config by using a piece of music wire that was epoxied into the rudder and ran down the end of the fuse in a brass tube he notched the end of the fuse and a small part of the elevator then connected his tiller to the top collor of the sullivan tail wheel. worked well for him maybe something similiar could be rigged up on the lt-40.

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Just to be curious, why are you changing to the rear wheel set up. I have an LT 40 and I thought about doing that but didn't really have a reason. Does it steer better on take off?

Wings,

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Just because.... :)

... it looks nice, and makes flying more interesting

Klett makes a nice one.
http://www.klettplastics.com

Depending on how it's done, it may be bit lighter. Less drag as welll.

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

It doesn't affect steering on take off? For the good or bad?

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

... oh yes, you're right, it does affect the steering and other things.

Trike gear are stable, and should track more easily along the ground if everything is well setup. This is because the CG is in front of the wheels, also, when the plane lands the nose rotates down, the wing's angle of attack decreases, and the plane plants itself on the ground. This makes it a safer arrangement for learning.

Tail draggers, however, have the CG behind the wheels. This makes the plane somewhat unstable on the ground - you have to stay on top of it to keep it going straight. Also, when it lands the tail rotates down. This increases the angle of attack of of the wing, thus more lift, thus greater chance of bouncing.

In reality, does any of this make much difference with a model. I don't think so. At least not with an LT-40.

Mine will be setup for easy conversion so I can test both and stop speculating :)

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

It sounds like your references are related to full scale aircraft? Get back to us after you try it with a model ;) I think you will find some very similar results in models and full scale--accept for the repair costs of course ;)

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

I've done it plenty, of late, with a tail-dragger converted stick and a GP Tracer. I can't say either of them were any more difficult than the trike gear on the Hobbico Superstar I learned with. I'll do the side by side comparison with my in-progress LT-40.

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Here is a picture of a converted lt-40:

http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/Kit...SigLT40TD.html

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Thanks for the imput everyone. This is my for fourth plane and second LT 40, the rest are all taildraggers and I simply prefer them. My first Kadet is so banged up it's beyond repair,plus, Kadets are just fun planes. I'm also at the point where I want to start making modifications to the original plans.

The Klett assembly is what I was looking for.

Thanks again,

Oltos

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

:D funny i'm just getting ready to rig my son's new LT 40, also a tail dragger set up. here is how i did the tail wheel.
ignore the plans as far as exits for the pushrod tubes. exit both rudder and elevator push rods out the sides of the fuse under the horizontal stab. drill a hole down through the fuse just under and aligned with the rudder (at hinge line). bend a 1 1/2 " 90 degree bend to wrap with fine fiberglass and ca it to the bottom of the rudder. your tail wheel asembly will mount on the bottom directly below the rudder as is typical of most tail wheels. this will also allow you to seal the end of the fuse with your covering and decrease oil absorbtion there. make a small grove in the underside of the rudder to glue the wire to and it'll be nearly invisable.

RE: Kadet LT 40 taildragger question
 

Thanks Ozmo. Someone just showed me what your talking about, I'll try it. Good point about sealing the end of the fuselage.