VC10 Tail Prop

Post by **Garry Russell** » 11 Nov 2006, 12:40

Th IL-62 often kept that down while taxying.

Need to remember to retract it for take off though :think: :redface:

Garry

VEGAS · Post by **VEGAS** » 11 Nov 2006, 12:44

Garry Russell wrote:Need to remember to retract it for take off though :think: :redface:

Garry

Quite!

Chris Trott · Post by **Chris Trott** » 11 Nov 2006, 16:14

speedbird591 wrote:I don't know if one was ever called on to do its job, I'm not sure it would be up to it.

You'd be surprised. Here's the tailstand for a 727 -

It's just in front of the tail stairs. It will support the weight of the aircraft when it tips back but not so much that it would cause damage to the aircraft. The point is to stop it from tipping long enough to get the plane back on its gear. If you shoved enough weight back to bend the tailstand, then you're gonna hurt the airplane anyway because you've most definitely overstressed floor and several major structural members by not keeping that weight semi-balanced during loading and unloading.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 11 Nov 2006, 16:19

A tail tip would happen gradually and would rest just as the balance erred that way.

So there would not be a lot of weight involved if attended to quickly

Garry

kit · Post by **kit** » 11 Nov 2006, 20:39

VEGAS wrote:The Russians chose to put a rather unusual retractable rear wheel on their machines for just such occasions. I think it looks barmy! :huf:

Some time in the early '80s I saw an Aeroflot Il-62 sitting on it's tail at Schiphol with the tail prop bent sideways flat on the ground! I'd previously seen them parked on the C Pier with the prop down so I knew what it was for sure. It was parked on one of the remote stands and we went right past it in a BMA Viscount with everyone who could gawping out of the port side windows. :shock:

Tom Clayton · Post by **Tom Clayton** » 11 Nov 2006, 21:46

USAF KC-135A's had a tailstand that was placed manually. The plane required some sort of load forward of the main gear in order to keep the CG forward. If you removed all fuel for maint., you had to place a load in the forward cargo section to compensate. We used a 10,000# (over 4500 Kg) block of concrete affectionately known as the "Pet Rock." With the block strapped to the floor, we could safely remove the fuel for major inspections.

When I was on the flightline, there was a scare concerning that CG. A plane had come back dangerously low on fuel, and the call went out for all available groundcrew to meet the plane when it parked. As soon as the brakes were set, everyone climbed up the entry ladder to crowd into the forward cargo section while one person was handed the tailstand out the aft escape door. I had never seen a set of gear struts sitting so high before!

Archer · Post by **Archer** » 12 Nov 2006, 16:29

Oh dear, has this subject turned up again?!? I thought we had settled it already years ago

Anyway, part of the original discussion is still here.

Post by **Garry Russell** » 12 Nov 2006, 16:32

Hmmmmmmmmm........

Two years ago I had not even joined yet and I was number thre hundred an something....so I guess it's new to most :think:

Thanks for the link Archer

Garry

speedbird591 · Post by **speedbird591** » 12 Nov 2006, 19:55

Archer wrote:Oh dear, has this subject turned up again?!? I thought we had settled it already years ago

Hi, Jelle! Howzit going? I thought the pic of the East African had settled it, but there were still those not totally convinced

When I saw that clear shot on the video, I just HAD to post it :roll:

It's amazing - the stuff you've kept on your site. It's a real treasure trove of VC10 memorabilia!

All the best,

Ian

Archer · Post by **Archer** » 14 Nov 2006, 10:37

speedbird591 wrote:
Archer wrote:Oh dear, has this subject turned up again?!? I thought we had settled it already years ago
Hi, Jelle! Howzit going? I thought the pic of the East African had settled it, but there were still those not totally convinced When I saw that clear shot on the video, I just HAD to post it :roll:

It's amazing - the stuff you've kept on your site. It's a real treasure trove of VC10 memorabilia!

All the best,

Ian

Oh well, there will always be non-believers I guess

I agree that the DVD capture is a good one, feel free to post it in my forum as well, keeps the story complete! Which DVD is that from by the way?

I've been a bit quiet on here, too much work keeping me away from important things :sad: There's tons of work that I've got to do on my site, especially now that 'VM has been reduced to a fuselage and moved, but I just can't find the time. Good to hear that my site still draws visitors

Take care.