Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Anyone know where I can get a tailspring?

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

I have a brand new "Trusty" spring, mounting bracket by Chuck Borden, Aviation Products Tailwheel, and cable & hardware to make the links. I doubt that I'll ever use them, and would sell all for a reasonable price.

John Evens N71JE
Arvada, CO

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

@John - I have the tailwheel already. I am pretty sure that I only need the spring.... unless the mounting bracket is different than what the plans call for... if so, I may need the mounting bracket as well.

Would you let go of the spring only? if so, email me a price.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Hi Dean,
What I have is the Trusty style rod-type spring. This is the one that most of the new builders are using now, & is different than the flat spring in the plans. I'd really like to sell the whole kit & kaboodle if possible. I think you might be looking for the flat spring? If so, there should be quite a few available from guys who've converted to the round spring.

John Evens N71JE
Arvada, CO

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Here is what I have: the bolster & a tailwheel. I have posted the image of the tailwheel. This wheel came with the project that I took over. It says "R&K" on the side of it... not sure about it. It is has a rounded bottom.

I would like to be able to use it if possible (save some coin). So, I am pretty sure that all I need to finish this is the tailspring & bracket. From what I am seeing there is a rounded spring and a flat spring. Does it matter what is used?

When you all mention flat spring... this is not referring to the original stiff aluminum spring is it?

Is there an advantage using the round spring over the flat spring?

Sorry for all the questions... I have so many parts that came with this project (which began in the 60's)... I am not always sure of what is useful or what is junk. If someone can help give me clarity, I would sure appreciate it.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Okay. I just took a look at Tom Hunter's pics of his tail wheel (round). I see the difference.

I think that I will go with the flat spring type. So.... if anyone out there has a flat spring & bracket that they don't need, please let me know what you would like for it.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

John Evens

I will pick that tailspring kit up from you. I still have the flat spring type, so CDUKE if John sells me the kit I will have a spring for you in a few weeks.

253 405 2660

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J. Hoover
N330JH
Yelm, Wa

Actually, I just worked something out with Rich B. He has an extra flat spring for me. Thank-you everyone for your help and input. Having this forum has saved me a lot of time and frustration.

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Dean Cuke
Visalia, California
N772DM
KVIS

Hello Gang, I'm working on an older T-18 that I bought a few months ago. The tail wheel has a lot of play in it & I'm sure it needs to be re-worked. It's a Lang assembly. It Looks like the parts to re-work it will be about $300.00 from Spruce. I'm wondering if there is a better way to go, Vans, Matco etc. Does anyone have any experience with one verses the other? Does the longer spring of the newer style Vans type TW make the handling better? Is it worth the effort to re configure the system?
Thanks
Tim

Tailwheel. I would go with the Aviation Products tailwheel. Homebuilders "Special" in the Spruce catalog. Double fork and put it on a rod tail spring. If you need parts for the unit down the road, you can order them direct from AP in California. About $320.00 for the double fork unit. It is what I have along with the rod spring (not sure if there are anymore of them available...the rod spring that is). So far with 60 hours on the tailwheel...zero problems. Works as advertised. [;)]

RB

Tim - dial up finetuneflight.com - Tom Hunter will get you taken care of.I too have that tailwheel.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

I bought a tailspring and tailwheel mech from Vans. I used a Lang wheel and tire, but replaced the old greaser bearings with a pair of heavy duty sealed double row ball-bearing bearings from McMaster Carr. Those bearings fit right into the Lang tailwheel. I made up a rear mount from 4130 heavy wall tubing which is very similar to those used on a Pitts and Tailwinds, but bolts right into the old flat spring braket holes. The front mount was machined from a block of aluminum, bored at the right angle and it too bolts into the flat spring front mount hole. Actually the rear mount was made to fit the angle determined by the front mount. Anyway it all can be seen in the picture. I can send some better pictures of the mount if you want. I have used this same setup on a Tailwind and a Pitts S1, and for me it works very well. Of course it is bascially the same spring and mech as what Vans uses on all those Oregon Cherokees (as my friend likes to call them).

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Vans Tailwheel on a Thorp T-18
All of the above FWIW....

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Dave M
Sacramento
ex-T-18 owner

Vans has had several incidents where the 90 degree TW bracket has caught on a hole and pulled the TW off. Attached are some pics of the 90 degree and the AVP 45 degree and one that was redone with a kind of skid plate. There's a TW assembly for sale in the classifieds section.

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