I am converting my trike landing gear to a tail dragger on my Tiger 60. How far in front of the leading edge should the landing gear be placed? I am using gear from a GP Giles 202-46 (RIP)

Any advice?

Set your main gear 1 inch forward of the suggested center of gravity on the plans or instructions. The location in relation to the leading edge is irrelevant.

In many cases, you won't be able to place the gear 1" forward of the CG. So just mount the gear to the fuse right in front of the wing.

Hey wrongway -

You need to mount those main gear with the axles at least as far forward as the leading edge of your wing. That'll be quite a bit ahead of the plane's recommended CG. Any farther back and you'll have problems with the plane tipping forward while taxiing, especially on a grass field. Very frustrating - I know from experience. On my taildragger Tiger2 I mounted the LG blocks ahead of the wing spar and leaned the gear forward so that the axles are located directly below the wing leading edge and it is very friendly on the ground while taking off, landing or taxiing.

Mike

I have to agree with Mike. I have converted many a plane to tail dragger's and had the best luck putting the landing gear even with the leading edge of the plane. This puts the gear in front of the CG by more than 1". Usually around 3+ " on a 40 size plane. This makes the plane taxi very easily without the fear of it tipping on it nose. After you move the gear to the leading edge of the wing you must make sure your CG has not changed. If it has add a little weight to where you need to to bring the CG back to its balancing point. Good Luck

Thanks for for the help.

I will mount them just in front of the LE on the fuse. It will be easier for transport that way too. I had a few oz of weight in the nose so things should balance any ways. That fuse is weakly built up there. I think I'll take a page out of Greatplanes design ideas and put a couple of ply stringers from the gear bolts forward to the fire wall.

Jim,

Have you flown the Stingray yet?

Rick

Rick

No I have not flown it yet. The weather here has not been very good so far this winter. I seems every weekend it is raining or so very cold. I am also having trouble keeping the Ryobi running right at this time. I am going to change the carb this weekend and try it again. It is going to rain again this weekend so I won't be flying unless it clears up. The plane is finished now and I am waiting to post more pic's until it is running right and it the air. I am cleaning up my work area so I can start my 4 * 60 project know. Rick are you working on anything at the moment? I'd like to see some pic's if you are

Thanks

Say - What sized wheels should I use? Does it matter how far apart they are?

THXS

That depends on where you are flying. Does your field have grass or is it paved? For a 60 size plane 2 1/2" to 3" wheels should work at most fields. I'd use the larger wheels for a grass field.

Thanks

I converted my Tiger-60 (kit built by other) to a tail dragger. The best you are going to do on the mains is to put the mounting block as close to the leading edged as you can, which has been pointed out by others will leave your wheels sitting 3" in front of the CG. Reinforce with tri-stock. Make sure nothing interferes with the operation of the hold down dowels, including the bolts that secure the landing gear to the fuselage (don't ask me how I know!).

As far as mounting the tail wheel goes, the sheeting on the bottom of the fuse near the tail is balsa, at least on my plane. I added a two inch long piece of 1/8 birch plywood to distribute the load "just in case". I treated myself and put a sullivan tailwheel assembly on the rear (it connects the tailwheel control to the rudder via a spring). Probably overkill, but it's piece of mind.

I have 2 3/4 inch wheels up front, and a 3/4" wheel on the back. If you fly off of something harder than grass, I'm sure you can get away with smaller wheels up front.

BTW, this plane looks really nice set up as a taildragger.

Heres what Im doing.
Im about 1/2 done with the fitting.