T6 Question

dj · **Joined:** Wed May 27, 2009 7:34 pm **Posts:** 2

Hi,

Am new to the forums but I have a question for you all.

Is it a big job to carry out a steerable tailwheel modification on a T6? Could someone give me an idea of what's involved and problems that may be encountered. Also, is there a kit available for such a mod.

Cheers

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:55 am

It can be done, but I have not seen a tech order on it. The best bet is to call Lance and they will know all the parts you need. You should be able to figure it out by looking at the parts manual, but the best thing is if you have another 6 to use as a pattern. I installed one and I think it was a days job.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:28 pm

There is a tech order. It is T. O. No. 01-60F-68. It has detailed information on where to cut the hole for the declutching head, all
the part numbers required for the change, etc. The tailpost is different (different head) as is the steering arm, and then you need the declutching head + linkage, etc... Best bet is to get a complete T-6G tailwheel assembly, overhaul it, cut the holes and install/rig it, but you could do a change-over by just ordering the parts from Lance....

Bela P. Havasreti

A2C · **Posted:** Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:48 pm

I've assembled a steerable clutch tail wheel from parts, and the tech order probably shows you where to drill a couple holes, and how to put in the "arm" up near the horizontal tail. Not really that hard, as everything is spelled out.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:56 pm

Well naturally, it's all super easy.... Just like building jigs, eh?

For the record, the tech order illustrates far more than just
"drilling a couple of holes".....

Bela P. Havasreti

A2C · **Posted:** Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:38 pm

Quote:

Well naturally, it's all super easy.... Just like building jigs, eh?

Jigs are easy. Like many things in life, they're as hard as you want to make them. Especially for people making a hard project out of a trainer.

Quote:

For the record, the tech order illustrates far more than just
"drilling a couple of holes".....

Do you mean for your record? The tech order is basic stuff, very little to it. To the prima donna, it's rocket science and higher tech than nuclear physics.

The T-6 manual is also very easy to read. It was meant to be easy to read, so military mechanics w/ a GED or H.S. diploma could comprehend it. If it's hard for somebody, that must imply that an Airman Basic could comprehend it more quickly.

bdk · **Joined:** Sun May 02, 2004 1:16 am **Posts:** 11324

There are brackets you need to rivet from inside the tailcone at the aftmost bulkhead where the control cables for the steering go. The steering cables hook up to the rudder cable idler arms in the tailcone as I recall. The rest is done outside the tailcone. I can take photos of the areas for you to compare with if you like. Send me a PM.

A2C · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:11 am

Quote:

There are brackets you need to rivet from inside the tailcone at the aftmost bulkhead where the control cables for the steering go. The steering cables hook up to the rudder cable idler arms in the tailcone as I recall. The rest is done outside the tailcone. I can take photos of the areas for you to compare with if you like. Send me a PM.

If I remember right, there are rollers to put in as well, in addition to the arm in the horizontal tail area. Of course the "hardest thing" if you want to call it that (it's just mechanical skill) is putting the declutching steering device together from parts. That wasn't even so bad.

What I would call somewhat challenging would be building up a tailwheel steering device for a rare aircraft from scratch. Including pouring your own castings, manufacture of forgings, and milling and threading large bore threads into forgings. I think Murray Griffiths and others are doing this stuff, and my hat's off to them.

Brad · **Joined:** Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:30 pm **Posts:** 1131

A2C · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:51 am

Ah, the tech order, Thanks Brad. I'm sure there are quite a few people looking for that.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:47 am

A2C wrote:

Quote:

Well naturally, it's all super easy.... Just like building jigs, eh?

Jigs are easy. Like many things in life, they're as hard as you want to make them. Especially for people making a hard project out of a trainer.

Quote:

For the record, the tech order illustrates far more than just
"drilling a couple of holes".....

Do you mean for your record? The tech order is basic stuff, very little to it. To the prima donna, it's rocket science and higher tech than nuclear physics.

The T-6 manual is also very easy to read. It was meant to be easy to read, so military mechanics w/ a GED or H.S. diploma could comprehend it. If it's hard for somebody, that must imply that an Airman Basic could comprehend it more quickly.

Yes, any fool can do it. Why should you be any different? :lol:

Bela P. Havasreti

A2C · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 12:51 pm

Quote:

Yes, any fool can do it. Why should you be any different?

Same to you.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:39 pm

Thank you.

Hey Chris, I thought you were banned from this list....???

Bela P. Havasreti

A2C · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 1:45 pm

Who me, A2C what?

snj-5 · **Posted:** Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:47 pm

Yeah, you (Chris Miller, now A2C, previously known as HarvardIV when you were banned from this list):

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/search.php?search_author=HarvardIV

Bela P. Havasreti

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