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Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 2:41 pm
by edidin
Does anyone have opinions as to why Cessna might have switched to individually bent or cambered tailwheel springs in the later 120/140s as opposed to the earlier springs where the only bend is in the longest bottom spring? The overall cant of the assembly seems more appropriate in the later (-2) version built up than in the ones used from S/N 8000-14000. Particularly when a Scott 3200 is fitted as is very common.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 4:15 pm
by 6277
There is a very good article on the differences at this web site. Suggest you join if you're not already a member. There's a wealth of information, well worth the small cost of membership.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:13 pm
by edidin
Thanks. Did not occur to me; am a member and will search.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:00 am
by 2356
Look for the Neil Wright article.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:05 am
by 6643
2356 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:00 am
Look for the Neil Wright article.
I think
this article is what everyone is referring to.
There has been a lot of discussion over the years about the "why" with no definite conclusion.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2022 12:04 pm
by 6597
I can show you the differences but I cannot explain the 'why'. As far as I can tell the mount at the fuselage remained the same and was installed the same across all serial numbers...
The single and double bend springs next to each other
- single-doublebendspringstogether.JPG (16.85 KiB) Viewed 2077 times
Double bend spring on early serial number, note how high the tail is....
- Before-2bendsprings17.jpg (18.94 KiB) Viewed 2077 times
Single bend spring on early serial number, note the overall height decrease...
- After-1bendsprings14.125.JPG (18.02 KiB) Viewed 2077 times
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:27 am
by 6277
When I first bought my airplane, it had the double bend springs with a Scott 3200 tail wheel, and wheel extenders. Many of my landings would result in the tail wheel touching down first. It was a real squirrel! After installing the correct springs, (and getting rid of the extenders) landings are smoother and I believe they are "three pointers" most of the time, at least the tail wheel doesn't touch first.
Re: Early vs. Late Tailwheel Spring Sets for 120/140
Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2022 2:02 pm
by edidin
6643 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:05 am
2356 wrote: ↑Thu Apr 21, 2022 9:00 am
Look for the Neil Wright article.
I think
this article is what everyone is referring to.
There has been a lot of discussion over the years about the "why" with no definite conclusion.
Thanks all for this link to the pdf and to the other threads showing height changes.