Tailwheel Setup

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 6 of 6 known posts recovered

Larry F · Mar 12, 2001 09:42 PM

Gang --

Some plans show a long tail wheel strut. Some show a short one. Think it makes any difference if you point it a little out, or just as straight as you can?

The original Dee Rice plans of the Oriental show about 1 1/14 effective length from the bottom of the fuselage. Leonard shows 3 5/8 on DUS. I suspect long keeps landings and take-offs smoother. You tell me.

Larry F

The Kiwi · Mar 12, 2001 11:10 PM

#1 source

>Gang --
>
>... Think it makes any difference if you point
>it a little out, or just as straight as you can?
>
Straight ahead is always best.
>
>The original Dee Rice plans of the Oriental show
>about 1 1/14{"} effective length from the bottom
>of the fuselage. Leonard shows 3 5/8 on DUS.

Come again? "DUS"?

>I suspect long keeps landings and take-offs
>smoother. You tell me.
>
Bob Giesecke started using extended tail wheel legs at about the same time (1968) that Dee finally was persuaded to get his Oriental into print (it's a 1958 design, maybe 1957, published in 1970). The long tail leg makes landings easier; I'm not sure it helps take offs.

Technically, if you can't convince a judge that there were any Orientals flown with long tail legs before 1970, then using one could cost some authenticity points in Classic Stunt competition.

Kiwi

Larry F · Mar 13, 2001 12:06 AM

#2 source

>Come again? "DUS"?
>
Leonard designed "Das Ugly Stunter" and it is affectionately known as "DUS". It was kitted by Custom Models for several years.

DUS is indeed right ugly, but "the numbers" became the basis for the future Stuka fleet, per Leonard.

Larry F

Jim T. · Mar 13, 2001 08:13 PM

#3 source

In OTS, lengthing the tailwheel is not allowed. The long tailwheel helps to get smooth take-offs. I've never seen Classic judged for authenticity, as it is supposed to be.

Jim

Steve Helmick · Mar 14, 2001 01:41 AM

#4 source

LAST EDITED ON Mar-14-01 AT 02:01 AM (EST)

My understanding is that authenticity is part of appearance judging. Deviations yeild less points. In theory, you can fly a profile Oriental in Classic, but would get few, if any appearance points. I think we need to use tipweight boxes and adjustable leadouts, and like these, the long tailwheel strut is a relatively minor deviation. Wouldn't we rather see a variety of Classic designs with a few slight tweeks (reduced asymetry), etc than see everybody fly the same design? To the untrained eye, they'll still look mighty neat. Steve

LNeumann · Mar 14, 2001 07:59 AM

#5 source

As you say, authenticity is part of classic judging and in most circles you could actually get negative points by deviating too far. Tip weight boxes and adjustable leadouts do not subtract anything. They are allowed in the rules. Lengthening the tail wheel strut, if not accurate for the original, would be a deviation in ground attitude (lengthening is usually allowed if both front and rear are lengthened) and would lose some, but I would think a profile would give you the maximum deduction if the original were not a profile. And moving the wing to remove assymetry (although I don't like assymetry and would want to build equal panels) would, also, be a major deviation.

Depends on the judges.

One year at the Nats they don't even judge panel lines. The next year panel lines wows them. Go figure.

Leonard Neumann