Troy,
I fitted the new tail wheel (and removed the old) before fitting the top on
- it's much easier to make a good job of the glassing.
You'll need to jury rig the top with Clecos and make up and fit the plywood
part of the rear close out first. This also involves temporary fitting of
the fuselage top and fin. Since you have to do this later anyway, it is
not wasted effort.
Scuff sand the areas to be glassed while it's all accessible. Fit the
fuselage top and fin temporarily with Clecos and make up the rear plywood
close out as per build instructions. Bond this in place to the bottom
fuselage with a few blobs of 5 min. Remove the rudder and top leaving the
ply close out in place at its funny angles. Fit the tailwheel and glass in
the reinforcement using access from the top. I put my glass on plastic
sheet for the big bits.
Couple of other things: It's wise to increase the diameter of the tail
wheel spring bolt; the designed size is known to bend when turning rapidly
(OK it was nearly a ground loop). Also the Mickey Mouse tail wheel stop
(roll pin) does what you'd expect on its first real side load - it bends.
Design a proper one - it's easy to fit a plate to the top of the rear end
of the arm.
Good luck
Dave Simpson
----------
> From: TroyMaynor@aol.com
> Subject: Tailwheel Mod.
> Date: 13 December 1998 21:29
>
> HI ALL,
> Having bought a partially built kit I am faced with how to proceed with
> installing the new tailwheel mod that I bought from the factory. The
original
> tail wheel had already been installed. The top has not been put on but
that
> time is approaching. I've heard bits on different ways to proceed but
each
> different from my situation. I'm working on the rudder pedals and pulleys
now.
> The instructions in the mod call for reenforcement layups on the rear
> closeout which of course is't there yet. In broad terms (at this time
anyway)
> can anyone advise the recommended way to proceed taking into
consideration
> weight, external appearance and of course performance. I have talked to
the
> factory but thought I would like to hear from the wisdom of this forum
also.
> Thanks all.
> Troy-#120
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