Original Posted By: Doug413(at)aol.com
Gene,Thanks for looking at the pictures of my plane posted onwww.matronics.com/photoshare and more specifically the tailwheelassembly.To try and answer your questions:The tailwheel is a 3.5" unit purchased from Wicks, part # TWNP-3.5The Fork is a welded up unit, using .100" 4130 material. The prongs ofthe fork are welded to a short piece of 1"x 2" square tubing, sized tofit the width of the tailwheel. At the juncture of the apex of thetrailing links of the support "V" that Pietenpol shows on the plan,there is a plate welded which connects the tubes. Between the 1"x2"tubing and the plate I put a ball bearing thrust washer so as to takethe vertical loads. The swivel axle is made of a short length of 1/2"drill rod working in a flanged Boston oilite bushing and the top of theaxle is threaded for a 1/2" castillated nut. The trailing links (sincethe photo was taken) have been bent so the the swivel axle is slightlytrailing when the plane is at rest. Surrounding the swivel axle withthe nut on top is welded a 1 5/8" OD x 3/4" long piece of tubing. Thisserves as the lower socket for the tailwheel spring. The upper springsocket is of the same material and welded to a small plate which isbolted to the airframe. In order that the spring doesn't pop out of thesockets, there are tabs welded to both sockets so that a short length of1/8" cable is attached so that the rebound of the spring is restricted.The horns are also made of .100" 4130 steel. These attach as one pieceon top of the fork and have 41/2" span on each side of the fork. Thereare several holes drilled in each horn so that the throw of thetailwheel can be adjusted. From the horns, the control cables go to therudder bar.The unit is very light, and since there is very little weight on thetail of the plane, it is easy to simply pick up the tail and move theplane around, so the tailwheel assembly has no breakaway capability.I hope this answers your questions, feel free to call or E-mail me if Ican give you more information.John Dilatush, now making the prop so I can go flying!dilatush(at)amigo.netphone (719) 539-3991 Salida, Colorado!________________________________________________________________________________