Steel tail spring

[Wayne G. O'Shea]

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Hi Dave,

I just figured if the utility trailer springs put up with people putting
tons of stuff in their trailers and blowing tires etc, without breaking the
springs, they should hold up to tailwheel use. I do a lot of tailwheel first
landings and my Trailer Spring has held up for going on 4 years now. How old
was the C170's spring, so I know when to change my spring before it breaks.

Hope all is well with the conversion business,

Blue skies,
Wayne G. O'Shea
www.irishfield.on.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: subersys <subersys@nidlink.com>
To: (Murphy Rebel Builders List) <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Date: Friday, January 28, 2000 8:05 AM
Subject: Re: Steel tail spring

"Wayne G. O'Shea" wrote:

I don't remember MAM ever supplying a steel leaf spring with the kit,
although they did have one on a prototype at Oshkosh in '95. When you say
you received a steel one, I see you mean Aluminum, right.

The steel one was introduced after the original delamination problems
with the fiberglass one, but not until the 6061 model proved to go flat
in one season. Then came the 7075 spring (aluminum again). That is
what I am using now. I used all the others, composite, 6061, steel and
this is the only one that has worked well for any length of time. I am
reluctant to go steel homemade as I have a friend with a 170 whos steel
spring broke at the bolt hole last year and the tailwheel flopped around
and completely trashed his rudder and elevators. Whatca gonna do.
Sounds like I can expect similar happenings with the 7075? Titanium?
Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

--
Dave Bangle http://www.subielyc.com/
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[Wayne G. O'Shea]

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Your following message has been delivered to the 148 members of
the list murphy-rebel@dcsol.com at 07:35:37 on 28 Jan 2000.
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Hello Philip, long time no hear!

I don't remember MAM ever supplying a steel leaf spring with the kit,
although they did have one on a prototype at Oshkosh in '95. When you say
you received a steel one, I see you mean Aluminum, right.

The obvious reason is that the steel leaf spring I use costs around $35.00
(and you have to cut the curls off each end that would bolt to the utility
trailer) and the solid aluminum, maybe $3.00. Steel ones already made for an
aircraft are well over a $100. Also they may have your empty weight in mind
for you, but the steel leaf spring will help your C of G and last the life
of your aircraft without straightening out and going up though your rudder!

Take Care,
Wayne G. O'Shea
www.irishfield.on.ca

-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Craig <philip@airplan.com>
To: Rebel List <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Date: Friday, January 28, 2000 12:50 AM
Subject: Steel tail spring


Rick,
I'm building Rebel 518 and I received a steel leaf spring for my
tail wheel with my aircraft. I don't know why Murphy changed to
the solid aluminum version and they have not advised me that I
should use anything different.

I haven't got to the point of working on the fuselage (let alone
the tail wheel), so I can't comment on the merits of a steel tail
spring. There might be some other builders with serial numbers
around mine that are further along in the building process that
can comment on the steel tail spring.

I thought I should let you know that Murphy did at one point
include a leaf steel tail spring. Why they changed, I don't know
but I guess I will find out when I'm finished building!

Philip
R-518


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[subersys]

"Wayne G. O'Shea" wrote:

I don't remember MAM ever supplying a steel leaf spring with the kit,
although they did have one on a prototype at Oshkosh in '95. When you say
you received a steel one, I see you mean Aluminum, right.

The steel one was introduced after the original delamination problems
with the fiberglass one, but not until the 6061 model proved to go flat
in one season. Then came the 7075 spring (aluminum again). That is
what I am using now. I used all the others, composite, 6061, steel and
this is the only one that has worked well for any length of time. I am
reluctant to go steel homemade as I have a friend with a 170 whos steel
spring broke at the bolt hole last year and the tailwheel flopped around
and completely trashed his rudder and elevators. Whatca gonna do.
Sounds like I can expect similar happenings with the 7075? Titanium?
Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

--
Dave Bangle http://www.subielyc.com/
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between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
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[BILNEWKIRK]

MY REBEL IS #376 AND IT ALSO HAS A STEEL SPRING. I HAVE 85 HOURS ON IT AND
IT WORKS WELL.

I WAS HAVING SOME TWITCHY GROUND HANDLING, SO I SWITCHED TO A MAULE 'TUNDRA'
TAILWHEEL. A BIG IMPROVEMENT. IT WAS, HOWEVER, HARD TO WELD UP A GOOD
TOWBAR FOR IT. MINE IS STILL A WORK IN PROGRESS.

BILL NEWKIRK
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[Philip Craig]

Rick,
I'm building Rebel 518 and I received a steel leaf spring for my
tail wheel with my aircraft.

[Bob Patterson]

Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

I LOVE it !!! :-) :-) :-)

I'm still very pleased with my composite spring, but then, I have a
very light tail (well .... the 912 Rebel does ;-) ) Used to replace
the steel tail springs on the Super Cub we were towing gliders with about
once every 3 or 4 weeks. That was on a grass strip, though. Had the
old thin aluminum spring go flat in about 6 months, too ....

I agree with you - the 7075 aluminum spring might be a good choice
since the aluminum is a bit softer than steel, and might deform a bit,
rather than just cracking. A few more years will help resolve this one !
Murphy usually put a lot of thought, and testing, into their choices
for materials and construction methods ....
.....bobp

-------------------------------------orig.--------------------------------
At 05:04 AM 1/28/00 -0800, you wrote:

"Wayne G. O'Shea" wrote:

I don't remember MAM ever supplying a steel leaf spring with the kit,
although they did have one on a prototype at Oshkosh in '95. When you say
you received a steel one, I see you mean Aluminum, right.

The steel one was introduced after the original delamination problems
with the fiberglass one, but not until the 6061 model proved to go flat
in one season. Then came the 7075 spring (aluminum again). That is
what I am using now. I used all the others, composite, 6061, steel and
this is the only one that has worked well for any length of time. I am
reluctant to go steel homemade as I have a friend with a 170 whos steel
spring broke at the bolt hole last year and the tailwheel flopped around
and completely trashed his rudder and elevators. Whatca gonna do.
Sounds like I can expect similar happenings with the 7075? Titanium?
Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

--
Dave Bangle http://www.subielyc.com/
*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
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[Alister Yeoman]

I believe I have the 7075 aluminum tail spring, I have kit #513. I found it
to be too rigid for the kit tailwheel but when I put a pneumatic tailwheel
assembly on it appears to be perfectly suited. I have 200 hours on it with
no complaints.

Cheers

Alister

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Patterson <bob.patterson@canrem.com>
To: Murphy Rebel Builders List <murphy-rebel@dcsol.com>
Date: Saturday, January 29, 2000 5:55 PM
Subject: Re: Steel tail spring

Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

I LOVE it !!! :-) :-) :-)

I'm still very pleased with my composite spring, but then, I have a
very light tail (well .... the 912 Rebel does ;-) ) Used to replace
the steel tail springs on the Super Cub we were towing gliders with about
once every 3 or 4 weeks. That was on a grass strip, though. Had the
old thin aluminum spring go flat in about 6 months, too ....

I agree with you - the 7075 aluminum spring might be a good choice
since the aluminum is a bit softer than steel, and might deform a bit,
rather than just cracking. A few more years will help resolve this one !
Murphy usually put a lot of thought, and testing, into their choices
for materials and construction methods ....
.....bobp

-------------------------------------orig.--------------------------------
At 05:04 AM 1/28/00 -0800, you wrote:

"Wayne G. O'Shea" wrote:

I don't remember MAM ever supplying a steel leaf spring with the kit,
although they did have one on a prototype at Oshkosh in '95. When you

say

you received a steel one, I see you mean Aluminum, right.

The steel one was introduced after the original delamination problems
with the fiberglass one, but not until the 6061 model proved to go flat
in one season. Then came the 7075 spring (aluminum again). That is
what I am using now. I used all the others, composite, 6061, steel and
this is the only one that has worked well for any length of time. I am
reluctant to go steel homemade as I have a friend with a 170 whos steel
spring broke at the bolt hole last year and the tailwheel flopped around
and completely trashed his rudder and elevators. Whatca gonna do.
Sounds like I can expect similar happenings with the 7075? Titanium?
Or how about a steel, aluminum laminate that is encapsulated with
fiberglass?

--
Dave Bangle http://www.subielyc.com/
*----------------------------------------------------*
The Murphy Rebel Builders List is for the discussion
between builders and owners of Murphy Rebel aircraft.
Archives located at:
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*----------------------------------------------------*

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