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Moose: Tail update...new wrinkle in FUS-422

Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 10:43 am
by Ted Waltman
I installed the new stinger and related bulkhead improvements last fall in
my Moose as noted here:

http://www.i1ci.com/flying/Moose/Tail/TailUpgrade.html

I now have a wrinkle on either side of the tail wrap, FUS-422, caused, I
believe, by me trying to turn the plane and the tailwheel not immediately
unlocking and swiveling. I posted three pictures of these wrinkles in S/M
107 Fuselage. You can also see the pictures here
http://www.i1ci.com/flying/Moose/Tail/T ... tml#fus422 on my webpage.

There was a lot of discussion at that time about the castor angle on the
swivel, and whether having a positive or negative angle improved ground
handling. My swivel currently angles down toward the front, which, I
believe, is not appropriate. I had a discussion with Darryl Murphy about
this and he agreed that the swivel should angle up; just the opposite of my
current tailwheel swivel angle. [As an aside, Darryl has sent me a new
prototype stinger that is totally straight. I will be installing and
testing this soon--within the next two weeks I hope.]

I hope that installing a new stinger and having a proper castor (angle) on
the swivel will improve ground handling and reduce stress on FUS-422. I'll
be keeping an eye on these wrinkles to insure they don't get worse. FUS-422
is already pretty thick stock; I don't think having it thicker is the right
way to go. Nor do I think that adding a small reinforcing "hat" on each
side is appropriate. My sense is that we just have to get the right swivel
angle and this problem won't happen with your moose.

Maybe I should just put it on floats and be done with these tail issues
<grin>.

Ted Waltman




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