Brodhead Pietenpol Association

Original Posted By: vistin(at)juno.com
Steve, I guess you are looking for the style of tail skid used on the "early"models of Piets. If you checked with the automotive shops that do workon leaf springs such as re-arching, they could help make something to theshape you want. They would aneal the spring material, cut, shape, andre-harden the spring for you. Straight forward. No chopping up a "T" andmaking some collector cry.Of course, the "Improved" model Piet used a different design altogether.RodgerPiet in progress________________________________________________________________________________

Original Posted By: vistin(at)juno.com
Steve,On the "Improved" Piet drawings (1934) it shows a tail skid that has twopivoting tubes, each is attached to the lower longerons and goes to a skidplate with a vertical skeg welded to it, sort of like the skeg on a surfboard.The springing action is taken up by a coil spring such as from a motorcyclefront or rear suspension and cut to a length of 6 7/9". This is caught in ashallow "cup" just under the tail-post and in another "cup" brazed to thetop of the skid plate.The skeg adds some side resistance to prevent the tail from comming aroundunwanted. If you desire a very authentic looking "antique" airplane thencouple the tail skid with large wire wheels, BUT never land on a pavedrunway asthe tail skid will skate you around into a horrific ground loop. Always landona grass strip with a tail skid. Note, it can be landed on a paved runway butit grooves the runway somewhat and is exciting.Or you can order the drawing for a steerable tail wheel assembly from: Yesterday's Wings Aeroplane Works, Inc Hampton Airfield, Route 1 Lafayette Rd. North Hampton, NH 03862This steerable tail wheel mounts to the skid plate (minus the skeg) and is aneat arrangement.RodgerPiet in progress________________________________________________________________________________