"Morgans" wrote in message
...

"Big John" wrote in message
...
Original birds in WWI operated off grass fields and had 'skags' (sp).

With full back stick you dug the 'skag' in ground and didn't need
brakes to stop.

If you build a prototype today you need brakes as most, if not all,
flying is off hard surface.

Big John

I wonder if anyone has tried using a skag, only cutting the tread section
off of an old auto tire and bolting it onto the bottom. It seems to me
that
many of the same attributes would be attained, and some of the same ground
handling characteristics.
--
Jim in NC


You can make the tailskid work on pavement with a boot. I have seen them
with wooden sacrificial blocks on them. The real problem with a tailskid
isn't landing on the runway. They are an absolute bugger to taxi on the
ramp! Especially if you have any airplanes to dodge. It takes a healthy
blast to get the tail up so you can kick it around and with no brakes you
will also get moving pretty fast with a couple of close turns. A friend of
mine has a Waco 10 with an OX-5 engine and a tailskid with no brakes. We
park it as close to the runway as we can to avoid taxi. Especially at
flyins! :-)

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )