Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel

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PoconoJohn
Posts: 165
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:07 pm

Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel

Post by PoconoJohn »

I notice some builders have the tailwheel per plans, and others have a something like a leaf spring arrangement. I have to decide which way to go. What are the pros/cons of those set-ups? Thanks!

John C
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taildrags
Posts: 637
Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:39 pm

Re: Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel

Post by taildrags »

I have the leaf spring arrangement with a conventional tailwheel and the plus to using that setup is it's possible to buy most everything needed without having to fabricate/weld. The more traditional look is with the plans-style pivoting "A" arm and coil spring.

Oscar Zuniga
Medford, OR
Air Camper NX41CC, A75 power
danoliver
Posts: 89
Joined: Sat Feb 25, 2017 7:58 am
Location: Cincinnati

Re: Plans tailwheel vs leaf/spring wheel

Post by danoliver »

I can't speak to performance as I'm not yet flying but I think it's worth noting that BHP's last original used the coil spring set up.
The earlier plans from the '32 FGM show using a leaf spring from a Model T.
Seems to me Bernard switched to the coil spring design and stuck with it.
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