Tape Compass

[earl1937]

  In some of the aircraft in our game, there is a instrument called a "tape compass" to show headings. If you are flying 090 degrees or due east and you make a left turn, which way does the tape instrument move, right or left?

In some of our aircraft, such as the P-51C, what is the 2 stage blower and when does it work?

In our C-47 "Skytrain", it has a lockable tail wheel. How do you engage and what are its limits of travel?

[DaveBB]

(1)Tape compass moves right when the plane turns left.
(2)2 stage blower refers to the gears of the supercharger, and each stage or gear of the supercharger works at particular altitude zones.
(3) If the tailwheel of the c-47 is anything like the P-51, pushing forward on the yoke unlocks it.  No idea how far it would traverse, my guess is that a cargo planes tailwheel would turn 90 degrees in either direction.

[colmbo]

B-17 unlocked with a lever on the floor (right next to the control lock). Locked it only had a few degrees of swing, unlocked it was fully castoring (and the airplane is a handful with the tailwheel unlocked).

[olds442]

(1)Tape compass moves right when the plane turns left.
(2)2 stage blower refers to the gears of the supercharger, and each stage or gear of the supercharger works at particular altitude zones.
(3) If the tailwheel of the c-47 is anything like the P-51, pushing forward on the yoke unlocks it.  No idea how far it would traverse, my guess is that a cargo planes tailwheel would turn 90 degrees in either direction.

You're incorrect in number 2. A stage is a blower, and a speed is a gear. For example the p51d had a 2 stage 2 speed supercharger. This means there is two superchargers (one before the carb and one after it) and the second one has two gears.

In the P47 its 2 stage "constant" speed. The first stage is your normal supercharger while the second stage is a constant speed turbocharger.

[earl1937]

B-17 unlocked with a lever on the floor (right next to the control lock). Locked it only had a few degrees of swing, unlocked it was fully castoring (and the airplane is a handful with the tailwheel unlocked).

Never flew a 17, but the DC-3, or C-47 had a locking tailwheel, which engaged would allow a 2 degree travel either side of center. Its locked by reaching down below throttle pedestal and pulling lever up and over a de-tent to lock in place.

[earl1937]

You're incorrect in number 2. A stage is a blower, and a speed is a gear. For example the p51d had a 2 stage 2 speed supercharger. This means there is two superchargers (one before the carb and one after it) and the second one has two gears.

In the P47 its 2 stage "constant" speed. The first stage is your normal supercharger while the second stage is a constant speed turbocharger.

A two stage blower is just a device which trys to maintain a constant 14.7 pounds per square inch in the upper deck of the carburetor. The second stage kicks in as the aircraft climbs and the manifold pressure begins to fade, but it to will not be able to maintain the desired atmospheric pressure in the upper deck because at the higher altitudes, its just not big enough to "cram" enough air in the upper deck. Its important to note that the 14.7 pounds per square inch atmospheric pressure in the upper deck, creates the most effective delivery of fuel to the cylinders, because that is the pressure at sea level, where the engine is performing at its best.

[hitech]

B-17 unlocked with a lever on the floor (right next to the control lock). Locked it only had a few degrees of swing, unlocked it was fully castoring (and the airplane is a handful with the tailwheel unlocked).

Thats pretty much how AH models the tail wheel, I have made then full castoring before for testing, with out the extra input you get from your but, taking off is extremely difficult.


HiTech

[colmbo]

Thats pretty much how AH models the tail wheel, I have made then full castoring before for testing, with out the extra input you get from your but, taking off is extremely difficult.


HiTech

One thing you never did was unlock the tailwheel if there was any side load on it…that "stored" energy would whip the tail around surprisingly quick for that large of an airplane.  Due to a breakdown in communication while taxiing for takeoff the guy I was flying with unlocked the tailwheel before I told him too.  I had some "right" input when he did and quicker than snot we headed for the weeds.  Left rudder/brake and a big handful of #4 kept us on the pavement.

[hitech]

One thing you never did was unlock the tailwheel if there was any side load on it…that "stored" energy would whip the tail around surprisingly quick for that large of an airplane.  Due to a breakdown in communication while taxiing for takeoff the guy I was flying with unlocked the tailwheel before I told him too.  I had some "right" input when he did and quicker than snot we headed for the weeds.  Left rudder/brake and a big handful of #4 kept us on the pavement.

That does not sound even remotely fun,how much was the tire squealing?

The RV has a detente on the tail wheel , prior to a taxi start or take off you always wiggle the pedals to make sure the detente  is locked in.

HiTech