They arrived on Friday - from a generous benefactor - and were installed yesterday (Monday).

If I do say so myself, she looks pretty nice (in spite of the poor cell-phone/PDA photograph).

[url=http://www.backcountrypilot.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=183&pos=3]
[/url]

Jon B.

Pretty sweet, Jon. I made your thumbnail a link to the photo gallery.
Any trouble getting approval for the 8.5's or are they on the TC for the Champ?

They look great!

I just put some on my bird and have several weeks flying on them. They are a great sized tire.

They do have a bit more grab on landing than the 7.00 that came off.

Dane

zane wrote:Pretty sweet, Jon. I made your thumbnail a link to the photo gallery.
Any trouble getting approval for the 8.5's or are they on the TC for the Champ?

Zane:

Thanks for the link. It goes to the wrong photo, though...

I had a local IA get a field approval for them. The TC has tires up to 8.00; the FSDO is OK with one size over the ones listed (at least the Minneapolis FSDO), so it was pretty simple. 8.00 tires are as wide as 8.50s but much shorted. 8.00 and 7.00 tires are the same diameter and about 4 inches smaller than 8.50s.

Jon B.

Whoops sorry...I linked to the Latest Additions photo, which changes. It's fixed now.

The champ looks real good, I like the 8.50s.

What is under your tail wheel in your hangar? I that some kind of dolly?

Bill

Flat Country Pilot wrote:The champ looks real good, I like the 8.50s.

What is under your tail wheel in your hangar? I that some kind of dolly?

Bill

Bill:

Thanks.

Yes, it's a home-brew clone of the tail-dragger dragger. Mine's made of round, 4130 tubing rather than square mild steel. Hey; Champ tails are heavy!

Zane: Thanks for fixing the link.

Jon B.

any possiblty of a sketch and dimentions?

Dane

Dane:

It's possible but...

I had a guy nearby with a clone of the Taildragger Dragger. I cloned his clone, except mine is a mirror-image of his. The tailwheel fits on the 'wrong' side. The wheel, though, hasn't a clue, and follows along very nicely.

Another guy has a 'dragger which carries the tailwheel ahead of the 'dragger's axle; that looks and feels more secure. It's easier to push the aircraft out of the hangar, too. With mine, the wheel wants to drag on the ground when I really lean into the handle to push. When I was in a gravel-floor hangar it was a big pain. On concrete, it's lots easier.

If you can find an example to copy, it's drop-dead simple. Mine has a straight T-handle, rather than the fancy handle bars of the genuine article. I used bolts and washers (welded on) to support the tailwheel. The wheels came from the discount store, as did the axle rod. I'll try to come up with some photos, using a tape measure for scale. I haven't a clue as to the measurements.

Jon B.

Jon,

Pics would do well,

I have concrete in the hangar, so should not be to bad.

Thanks in advance.

Dane