T6G tailwheel tyre

aldee · **Joined:** Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:18 am **Posts:** 3

We have an ex. SAAF T6G here in New Zealand and we're looking for a tyre for the tailwheel. The original is a smooth solid type but the hub is drilled for a valve stem.
We need a 4" x 4.5" tyre and tube, any ideas where to look for one?

51fixer · **Posted:** Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:59 am

aldee wrote:

We have an ex. SAAF T6G here in New Zealand and we're looking for a tyre for the tailwheel. The original is a smooth solid type but the hub is drilled for a valve stem.
We need a 4" x 4.5" tyre and tube, any ideas where to look for one?

Should have a 12.5 x 4.5 tire and tube.
SA modified by filling tires with foam and making them solid. That isn't original and may not be legal.
If it has smooth contour tire the rim may not be the specified one for the T-6G.
These items would be shown in the parts manual T. O. 1T-6G-4 and also covered in the Erection and Maint Manual T. O. 1T-6G-2.
If you install the stock tire and tube check your weight and balance as the solid tire might weigh more than the replacement.

Desser Tire is a good source for the original type 12.5 x 4.5 Tire and Tube.

BTW, Welcome.

Rich

Stoney · **Posted:** Thu Jul 01, 2010 9:17 am

A filled T-6 tire adds 5 lbs.

aldee · **Joined:** Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:18 am **Posts:** 3

Thanks for the welcome Rich.
Our hub definitely measures 4" so possibly not original T6G equipment.I guess during the embargo SA did what they had to do to keep their a/c flying, hence the ifr panel.

It looks like our only option short of finding a complete wheel off a wreck is to buy the Banaire hub/tyre/tube combo.

regards
Laurie

51fixer · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:35 pm

You can try various other sources as well-
Jay Wisler has a site with some T-6 parts
http://warbird-parts.com/invent/at-6.html
Check in his P-51 section as well. The T-6G and P-51 use the same tailwheel and tire combo.
I thought someone is making some new production tail rims for 12.5 x 4.5 tires as well.
Lance aircraft could have parts too.
Rich

famvburg · **Joined:** Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:41 am **Posts:** 540

This thread made me think. Many years ago, there was a shortage of these tires, IIRC, & Air Tractor came out with a kit to convert Air Tractors to using a a 5.00 - 5 rim, tire & tube. I think Ayres did likewise for the Thrushes & I wouldn't be surprised if AgCats don't use them now. Has anyone done a similar mod for warbirds?

51fixer · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:53 pm

famvburg wrote:

This thread made me think. Many years ago, there was a shortage of these tires, IIRC, & Air Tractor came out with a kit to convert Air Tractors to using a a 5.00 - 5 rim, tire & tube. I think Ayres did likewise for the Thrushes & I wouldn't be surprised if AgCats don't use them now. Has anyone done a similar mod for warbirds?

Tires and tubes are not a problem to find although a bit pricey.
Rims can be beat up though.
That is where the new production parts are showing up.
Rich

snj-5 · **Posted:** Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:58 pm

I bought a brand new (CNC-lathe manufactured) 6-bolt P-51 / T-6G
tailwheel for my SNJ from Glenn Wegmann (sp?) who posts occaisonally
on this list.

If you have the 4" wide wheel, word has it a 500x4 tire will fit. A 500x4
is the same tire used on the nosewheel of an Ercoupe and a Navion (no doubt,
among other types).

Good 12.50SC tires are getting hard to find (I have two NOS Nylon
examples, but I'm not willing to part with them....). :twisted:

Check with Desser Tires for the 500x4 tire or do a search on this
list for Glenn Wegman for a new P-51 tailwheel (Desser has new
12.5 x 4.5 tires for the P-51 / T-6G).

Bela P. Havasreti

aldee · **Joined:** Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:18 am **Posts:** 3

Thanks for the advice folks

Laurie

51fixer · **Posted:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 12:54 pm

snj-5 wrote:

I bought a brand new (CNC-lathe manufactured) 6-bolt P-51 / T-6G
tailwheel for my SNJ from Glenn Wegmann (sp?) who posts occaisonally
on this list.

If(Desser has new
12.5 x 4.5 tires for the P-51 / T-6G).

Bela P. Havasreti

Jay has the following listed at Warbird-parts.com under P-51 parts page-
L-380 12 1/2 x 4 1/2 tailwheel, 5 bolt wheel manufactured of aluminum billet, complete with hubcap & felt seal, brand new $ 575.

Rich

RobC · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:07 am

Laurie, your 4" rim is likely an earlier model T-6 wheel. The correct tire for this wheel is a 12.50 SC. Unfortunately, those are no longer available. I have a NOS tire, but without a tube, it is pretty useless. It is very easy to tell the difference. Aside from dimension, the 12.50 SC wheel does not split in the middle, while the 12.5x4.5 will have five or six bolts holding the two halves together. That is why these guys are talking about the 12.5x4.5. The tire and tube are readily available. Unfortunately, you are looking at about a grand for the wheel, tube and tire. Just another one of the many pitfalls of T-6 ownership.

T-28mike · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 9:54 am

In addition to above referenced parts suppliers, you may also wish to check with Banaire (banaire.com me thinks) Art had the new production wheels, and has various tubes and tires.

snj-5 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 8:57 pm

Maybe I was fed a line of Bull, but I was told you could use the 500x4 inner tube
with a 12.50SC tire (don't know from personal experience if it's true or not....).

Bela P. Havasreti

Stoney · **Posted:** Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:54 pm

Bela
I know for fact that a Goodyear riding mower tire will work, the statues of limitions have expired for me on that. As I remember its a 410x3.5 or something like that, 12 bucks. That got me home

F4U-1 · **Joined:** Wed Feb 18, 2009 12:28 am **Posts:** 156

Stoney wrote:

Bela
I know for fact that a Goodyear riding mower tire will work, the statues of limitions have expired for me on that. As I remember its a 410x3.5 or something like that, 12 bucks. That got me home

Stoney YOU ROCK !! That is pure and simple 'Thinking outside the box'

Chuck

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