Tundra Lite Tailwheel

[Eric Page]

The Tundra Lite website says the 8” version with a stinger socket for a Just SuperSTOL weighs 5# 14oz. I don’t imagine the leaf spring version would be more than a few ounces different; possibly less since the stinger socket is steel. The site also has a photo of a leaf spring version (presumably the 10”) on a scale showing 7# 1-1/8oz.

The text describes the 8” tire as “tubeless,” and a couple of the photos show a Schrader valve stem. The wheels look custom turned to me. Definitely not like any of the three tail wheels in my possession.

There’s an exploded diagram of the Baby Bush Wheel on page 2 of the installation instructions on Airframes Alaska’s website. Below that diagram it says, “ABI-3200B Complete Assembly weight: 12lbs.” That’s an 11” tire.

[Rodney]

I am using the Tundra Lite 10" on a T3. Works very well and would not change it for any other configuration.

I do use the locking mechanism. With the tailwheel locked, you can still make small steering corrections.
Great when you have to taxi a ways to get to a runway. Also great in a crosswind. Saves the brakes.

Also fun to put in one notch of flaps, lock the tailwheel and hold the stick back. Seems like the airplane
just floats up in the air.

Regards
Rodney

[Shadowrider]

We run the 8” and love it. In regards to what tire Jim told us it’s off a lawn mower of some type. They are tubeless but wide for float on sand. Rim is a two piece so you split the rim when you replace the tire. Very light setup. When building we cut off the spring attach points on the tail so it cleaned up the look of the tail and lost more weight. It’s full floating so you lose the weights of the springs also.