Hi All,

A question for those with more experience than I.

I recently upgraded from the 6" Solid tail-wheel to the Matco 7" Pneumatic tail-wheel (and I love it).
md.jpg
Image from here
more about tail-wheel here
The upgrade was great, much smoother in the taxi, easier to turn (less pressure on the rudders) etc.

I've had two flat's in 12 months now... (I know others have reported similar issues) but it got me wondering... Why...

Every time, I've inspected the tire, rim and found no reason for it to go flat.

What I did notice was:
1. This does not seem to be from thorns, sticks, *****les etc
2. The puncture seems to be always on the side of the tube (at the tire wall)
3. Even with an old tube lined inside the tire to protect the tube still getting punctures.

I'm wondering if the tires are perhaps flexing (when suddenly under load, landing etc) so much and pushing the steel bands through the tire (when flexed or flattened) and puncturing the side of the tube then springing back into shape hiding the steel bands again?

Does this make sense, what do you think?