As my Starduster Too project nears the ready-to-go-on-the-gear stage, I've been doing some research on tailwheels, at least inasmuch as the search feature on this site/Google will allow.
Anyone running an 8" Maule pneumatic assembly?
The project came with an 8" pneumatic Maule assembly. It looks fairly unused, though it has a smidge of play in the kingpin. I showed it to a highly experienced tailwheel IA, and he chuckled and said it was about as much play as he would expect in a brand new Maule tailwheel assembly.
The 3-point tailwheel weight of this particular airplane is yet to be discovered fully assembled, but with many of the later CG considerations being built into it, shouldn't be excessive.
I'm trying to be budget conscious as we all are, but I also know that an inferior/under-kept/improperly geometrified tailwheel can cause a really bad day. I'm not opposed to splurging on The Best Tailwheel Out There, but I also want to keep sight of the big picture.
What say you? Favorite SD2 tailwheel?
Anyone running an 8" Maule pneumatic assembly?
The project came with an 8" pneumatic Maule assembly. It looks fairly unused, though it has a smidge of play in the kingpin. I showed it to a highly experienced tailwheel IA, and he chuckled and said it was about as much play as he would expect in a brand new Maule tailwheel assembly.
The 3-point tailwheel weight of this particular airplane is yet to be discovered fully assembled, but with many of the later CG considerations being built into it, shouldn't be excessive.
I'm trying to be budget conscious as we all are, but I also know that an inferior/under-kept/improperly geometrified tailwheel can cause a really bad day. I'm not opposed to splurging on The Best Tailwheel Out There, but I also want to keep sight of the big picture.
What say you? Favorite SD2 tailwheel?